Hutchie provided Sonny Carey with his third success in-a-row, as he got up close home to claim the first divide of the Galway Handicap Hurdle.

Successful with his last two runners at Sligo and Stratford respectively, Carey clearly has his string in fine form, with Hutchie sent off a well-supported 11/1 chance (25s early) in the colours of owner Mary Kilduff.

A half-brother to ill-fated Grade 2 winner Blackbow, the Valirann chestnut raced behind the leaders on the inner under JJ Slevin.

Pushed along and short of room from the last, he was switched off the rail inside the final 200 yards and was soon ridden to challenge, getting up in the dying strides to prevail by a neck.

Returned the 3/1 favourite, Tullyhogue Fort was the one just denied, with Church Lane (7/1) and Rossies Tara (7/2) three-and-a-half and two-lengths back in third and fourth respectively.

Previously trained by Debbie Hartnett, Carey said of the winner: "We haven't got him long and he is improving with every week. It was his handicap debut and on his work at home I thought he had a chance.

"We'll see what way we go with him now and he could go either way, over hurdles or fences."

STEWARDS REPORTS

S.F. O'Keeffe, rider of Flemenora trained by Mrs. Y. Dunleavy, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount hung badly and ran off the top bend.

The Raceday Stewards enquired into an incident rounding the home bend involving Tullyhogue Fort, ridden by Mr P.J. O'Neill, placed second, and Hutchie, ridden by J.J. Slevin, placed first, where it appeared interference my have occurred. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. In his evidence J.J. Slevin stated that he suffered no real interference. Mr. P.J. O'Neill stated that his mount missed the last hurdle and jumped slightly right but he felt he was following the cut away rail and kept his racing line back in. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that no further action was warranted.

The Raceday Stewards enquired into an incident after the last hurdle involving Tullyhogue Fort, ridden by Mr P.J. O'Neill, placed second, Hutchie, ridden by J.J. Slevin, placed first, Church Lane, ridden by D.J. O'Keeffe, placed third, and Rossies Tara (GB), ridden by D. King, placed fourth, where it appeared that they got a bit tight for room. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. In his evidence D.J. O'Keeffe stated that he did not cause or receive any interference. D. King stated that his mount jumped a little right causing him to slightly clip a heel. J.J. Slevin stated that he had enough room jumping the last hurdle and he felt he suffered no real interference. Mr. P.J. O'Neill stated that he kept his racing line causing no interference. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards did not apportion blame to any rider and so took no further action.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes