Great White Shark devours Galway hill

Despite running keenly for a long way, Great White Shark (5/1) galloped strongly up the hill to win the Grade B Guinness Handicap Hurdle at Galway for Willie Mullins.

She came back on the bridle to pick up the lead two out under Paul Townend (deputising for David Mullins).

The six-year-old grey mare had the field cooked with the exception of stablemate My Sister Sarah (8/1), who gamely tried to stay with her.

Great White Shark didn't relent, though, and was driven out to account for the runner-up by two lengths. Flooring Porter was seven lengths adrift in third at 8/1. Diamond Hill cut a swathe through the field coming to two out, but left her hind legs in that obstacle which ended her challenge. She was a further seven and a half lengths off Flooring Porter in fourth at 6/1.

Assistant trainer David Casey said: "She obviously likes the place and won the big amateur race last year and was also third in this. She also ran well again here the other night (when a strong-finishing seventh in the qualified riders' handicap).

"Paul said they didn't go very quick but she obviously likes it here and it's a case of 'horses to courses' really.

"My Sister Sarah ran well also, she keeps galloping well and is a decent mare."

This was the last day of National Hunt racing at the festival and Townend was crowned leading National Hunt rider.

Additional reporting by Tom Weekes