Chief making Ballybrit his own

The race was marred by fatalities – 2012 Galway Plate hero Bob Lingo and Beneficial Spirit but local horse Aranhill Chief brought up a famous Ballybrit double when landing the Guinness Galway Blazers Handicap Chase.

Bob Lingo suffered a fatal injury in the dip with over a circuit to go and that necessitated the last two fences being bypassed.

Meanwhile yesterday's beginners chase winner Aranhill Chief travelled well under Paul Townend (bringing up a double after his first race win on Maxim Gorky and in a rousing finish he saw off Usuel Smurfer Me And Ben and A Decent Excuse by a head and a half a length twice.

Mahon trains Aranhill Chief for well-known local greyhound enthusiast Pakie Kelly and he said: "It was the biggest decision I've ever had with a horse – whether to run again or not.

"If he hadn't won today they'd all be asking why did I pull him out again. He had a swim this morning to loosen him out.

"I said after he won over hurdles in Bellewstown that he could be a Galway Plate horse some day and hopefully that's what he'll be.

"There was a lot of carnage in the race and I hope all the horses and jockeys are okay."

Townend meanwhile said: "I think he'd have won easier if those last fences had been left in but in any case he's very tough and honest and he stuck at it well.

"After two hard races he didn't lie down." (AM & EM)