On Fiddlers Green was popular in the betting from an early stage for the Guinness Galway Blazers Handicap Chase and he gave Davy Russell a very much deserved first victory of Galway 2016.

Russell has had a trying week at Ballybrit, narrowly missing out more than once at the business end.

However he wasn't going to be denied here on the Declan Ganley-owned and Henry de Bromhead-trained 9/2 favourite, On Fiddlers Green.

The winner chased the leaders in this big field extended two and three quarter miler, and he stayed on to lead inside the final furlong, going on to defeat the 2014 victor, Aranhill Chief by seven lengths.

"It was a super ride by Davy, and it's great to get a winner here this week," reflected de Bromhead.

"He's only a six-year-old and I was planning on backing off him for a while and maybe looking at something like the Munster National.

"He's some horse to jump, and we might get back here in years to come. He seems to like it around here, and he stays well."

The Stewards interviewed J.B. Kane, rider of As De Pique concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were of the opinion that the rider was in breach of Regulation 10.3.(f) in that he had used his whip with excessive frequency. Having considered his previous record in this regard, the Stewards suspended him for three race days.

G.N. Fox, rider of Kylestyle trained by F. Flood, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount never travelled and was pulled up thereafter.

(AM & EM)