BRAZIL bounced back quickly from a disappointing show in the Galway Hurdle to land the feature event at Ballybrit on the Friday evening.

Despite being pulled up on Thursday connections let him take his chance in the €110,000 Guinness Handicap back on the level and the decision reaped rich rewards.

The Galileo horse was again slowly into stride but powered home under Niall McCullagh, getting up in the last strides to deny Teed Up another big pot at the meeting.

After his charge’s head success in the mile-and-a-half contest winning trainer Padraig Roche said: “Yesterday was the plan but unfortunately that didn’t go to plan and in fairness to Mark (Walsh) he looked after him.

“When I was only a young lad, Niall was in India when Dad was over there so I know Niall a long time. It’s great and he gave him a great ride.”

On being pulled up in the Galway Hurdle he added: “Look it’s Galway, the start is everything and he didn’t. Fair play to Mark he looked after him and he knew he was in today.

“He’s a hardy horse and there’s no bother with him. He came back, ate up last night and was bouncing this morning so we said we’d give him the chance.

“He has loads of options, it was a bit morbid last night but today is great. It’s a great game!”

De Bromhead number four

Henry de Bromhead landed the Guinness Galway Blazers Handicap for the fourth time in seven years when novice Toss Again produced a fine display of jumping on just his second chase start.

Darragh O’Keeffe had the 11/2 shot prominent throughout and he led at halfway.

The Malinas gelding was pressed by Quantum Realm in the straight but found plenty close home to record a length-and-three-quarters success.

“I’m delighted for Tom O’Connor, his owner. He and his brother and his mum are here so that’s great,” said de Bromhead.

“Obviously he lacked experience but his jumping is savage and he was brilliant the whole way.

“We won’t rush, today was the plan and he’s still a novice. He has options. He probably prefers nicer ground, I’d say he’s better on better ground.”

Cracking finish

The opening Guinness Galway Tribes Handicap Hurdle was also worth €80,000 and produced a cracking finish with Ifiwerearichman producing a game front-running performance.

Sean O’Keeffe had the Affinisea gelding to the fore throughout and he skipped clear turning for home on the 28/1 shot.

Volantis finished off well but could only get within half a length of the winner at the line.

O’Keeffe said: “I’m delighted with that. I thought he was a bit overpriced today, I thought he was coming here with a bit of a chance in fairness.

“He was probably unlucky as I didn’t really ride him the right way the last couple of times. Back in front today he enjoyed it and he stayed well.

“He jumped really well and I was able to fill him everywhere.”

DERMOT Weld recorded his third winner of the week when Captain Maverick claimed the median auction maiden on the card.

The Free Eagle gelding, a promising second on his debut at Bellewstown, came to dispute in the final furlong, under Chris Hayes, and got the better of Aafoor close home for a neck success at odds of 10/3.

“He did it nicely, he’s a brave horse. Ben (Curtin) bred him and owns him and this was an ambition of his, to see if he could have a winner at Galway so he’s achieved it,” said Weld.“A mile is probably his right trip. He’s a lovely laid-back individual and I just thought cheekpieces might sharpen him and it did.

“He’ll keep improving. My only concern, really, today was the ground. He’s a very good mover and I think quicker ground will suit well.”

In the fillies’ maiden over a mile and a half Countess Of Tyrone looked like another nice recruit for Paddy Twomey when making a winning debut.

The daughter of Australia missed the kick but overcame some greenness to lead a furlong out and power clear for a three-and-a-quarter length win under Billy Lee.

“She’s a nice filly, she’s a sister of Earl Of Tyrone that we had last year, and it’s great to get her started. I thought she’d run a nice race today and I’m thrilled that she won,” said Twomey.

“Robert (Moran) is in Ireland and he’d love to have been here tonight and he’d love to see her out again so she might have another run this year but I’d say it’s very much next year with her.”

SHANROE was the one the punters wanted in the Rockshore Refreshingly Irish Race and the 15/8 favourite finished off best to repeat last year’s win in the mile-six conditions event.

Robbie Colgan was rowing along in fourth on the Karl Thornton-trained veteran turning for home but he picked up well to lead inside the final furlong and record a half-length win over Mt Leinster.

“It’s sad as the owner Brian (Smyth) passed away last September, it’s hard that way because he’s a cousin of mine and his wife sadly misses him. He was a great man and loved this horse and he would have loved this,” said Thornton.

“He’s brilliant, he’s the best horse I’ve ever had. He’s a classy horse, I just need a few more of them.

“He knows he’s good and he’s spoiled rotten. He’s nine but he won his bumper when he was five so he doesn’t have much mileage either.”

It’s common enough for horses to run two or three times at the festival and there were a couple on the card registering wins at the second attempt.

Fratas had been third over a mile and a half on the first day and handled the drop back to a mile well in the Arthur Guinness Handicap.

Prominent

Jamie Powell was prominent throughout on the 11/2 shot and the Mick Mulvany-trained filly led a furlong out to record a length-and-a-quarter success in the colours of Raymond McMahon.

“I thought we might have gone a little bit too far with her the other night and it was a very hot race, a better class of a handicap,” said Mulvany.

“Dropping her back tonight she seemed to do things right and got things her own way. She got an ideal run for Galway and the young fella gave her a great ride, he did everything right.”

Sign From Above was stepping up in trip when landing the Hop House 13 Handicap over a mile and six furlongs.

The Peter Fahey-trained gelding had been third over two furlongs shorter the previous day and Ronan Whelan got him up close home this time to beat Longclaw by three-quarters of a length.

“I really fancied him yesterday, he finished out his race really well but didn’t get there in time,” said Fahey.

“I haven’t been home but the lads said he was in great nick this morning so we decided to run him and thank God it paid off.

“It’s great, he runs in Ber, my wife’s colours.”

Attendance: 2023: 23,455 2022: 24,486

Bookmakers: 2023: €956,941 2022: €921,801

Tote: 2023: ???? 2022: €934,150