Beckwith a Star in Ballybrit

Beckwith Star (12/1) picked up the mantle at the second last and powered home up the hill to take the spoils in the 20-runner two mile handicap hurdle at Galway.

Word came through before the off that one punter had 10,000 euro on the favourite Artful Artist at 2/1. He had been well backed throughout the day from 3/1 and went off 7/4. He was always in rear and made no impression on the leaders in coming home 14th.

Beckwith Star, on the other hand, was always prominent as he tracked the leader Dun Scaith When Brian Hayes sent him about his business at the penultimate hurdle he kept up the gallop in beating Eric The Gray (20/1) and Donatis Comet (12/1). Kims Dream flew up the hill to complete the placings in fourth at 12/1.

Trainer Henry de Bromhead said: “To get a winner for Herb (Stanley) here is brilliant. I always thought he needed more ease. He ran on slightly better ground in Killarney the last day. Brian said he loved it today. That and Brian’s 3lb claim was a big help. He jumped great and stayed at it up the hill.

“He could run over hurdles or fences later in the week, he’s very adaptable. Now that we know he goes on good ground we might run him more on it.”

Brian Hayes added: “For once everything went according to plan. Henry told me to be positive and jump out good and handy so I sat in second as I knew Dun Scaith would make the running. I sat in and got a lovely run off him and took it up going to the second last. He was only idling in front. I was fairly confident he was home and hosed.

"That’s my 43rd winner. It was nice to get a winner in Galway with the 3lb claim. Hopefully that will give me a boost now."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes