Galway Hurdle 'bridesmaid' Jesse Evans gained a deserved big-race success today, landing Killarney's featured GMIB Kingdom Gold Cup to provide 7lb claimer Robert Whearty with a first premier handicap success.

In the Galway Hurdle, the Noel Meade-trained gelding had previously finished fourth in 2021, second in 2022 and again second, when beaten a head, three weeks ago and today gained a career highlight, beating Grecian Slipper

Meade, whose Pinch Hitter won two Galway Hurdles in 1982 and '83, wasn't present and afterwards Whearty reported”Jesse Evans is a top class horse and had a brilliant run in the Galway Hurdle the last day when he just bumped into one (Zarak The Brave).

“He gives you a savage feeling in a race, he just travels and finds plenty. Things worked out perfectly, I had a lovely position and had something to aim at turning in. He kept finding and finding and hit the line strong.

“I'm delighted for the owners to get that win with him today.”

He added “I'm apprenticed to Gavin Cromwell and ride out most days for him and ride out for Noel every Thursday. I'd never ridden Jesse Evans before, that's my first winner for Noel and it's also my biggest winner.”

Jesse Evans is named after an American outlaw and gunman of the Old West, who disappeared in 1882.