GALWAY Hurdle ‘bridesmaid’ Jesse Evans (5/2 favourite) gained a big-race success at Killarney on Thursday where the Noel Meade-trained gelding landed the featured GMIB Kingdom Gold Cup to provide 7lb claimer Robert Whearty with a first premier handicap success.

In the Galway Hurdle, the seven-year-old had previously finished fourth in 2021, second in 2022 and again second, when beaten by a head three weeks ago. On Thursday he travelled well before eventually beating Grecian Slipper by a length and a quarter. Meade wasn’t present and 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).