Galway standing dish Fit The Cove made it five career wins at Ballybrit as he stormed up the hill in the hands of Chris Hayes to take the seven furlong handicap.

The veteran 12-year-old trained by Harry Rogers has struck a rich vein of form with a win at Tipperary 12 days ago and a third here four days ago.

He was latched on to by punters who made him 3/1 favourite from 9/2 in the ring. The winning margin was two and a half lengths back to One Of Three at 12/1. Another Rogers horse – Cheval Rouge – completed the placings at 8/1.

“He loves it around here. A mile stretched him the last day. He got the run of the race today. He still retains his enthusiasm and has his engine,” Harry Rogers said.

“He is in at Sligo on Wednesday and he’ll probably run there.”

Fit The Cove also won this race at Galway eight years ago.

Regarding his third placed horse, Cheval Rouge, Rogers commented: “She ran a great race and got knocked about a bit and could have been second.”

(on course reporting by Thomas Weekes)