Fosters back in Ballybrit winners' enclosure

Veteran Fosters Cross rolled back the years to hit the headlines once again at Galway, claiming a game success in the Lord Hemphill Memorial Handicap Chase.

Tom Mullins' 12-year-old recorded his fourth success at Ballybrit when getting home by half a length in the 2m1f event.

The customary front-runner was settled in mid-division today before improving to dispute on the run to the second last.

Davy Russell sent the 12/1 shot for home turning into the straight and he had enough in reserve to hold the challenge of Pires in the closing stages.

It was the second outing of the week for the winner who had faded in the closing stages of the amateur handicap here on Monday.

“You can never get him fit enough at home and it always takes a couple of runs to get him right,” explained Mullins.

“I have to take my hat off to Davy Russell. He probably knows the horse even better than I do and I'd have to say that was one of the best rides that one of mine ever got.

“If he doesn't get off in front, it's not that he downs tools but he's not happy. Davy kept him wide and kept him interested.

“There's no point talking about the future as he's a 12-year-old. Hopefully that's not his swansong but if it is it's a good one.”

(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)