Martin on the double with Crusader

Tony Martin completed a memorable night when Dark Crusader gave him a double in the Galway Oyster Hotel Handicap to add to his feature race success at Ballybrit.

Fran Berry gave the Cape Cross filly a strong drive as she gained a narrow head success over Lady Giselle in the mile-and-a-half contest.

Lady Giselle had hit the front turning for home but was soon tackled by Dark Crusader who stuck her head out in the closing stage to grab victory.

The runner-up was subsequently disqualified after rider Gary Carroll failed to draw the correct weight on his return to the scales.

The winner had been hit with a whopping 19lb hike for winning at Killarney earlier in the month.

“It was a great performance. She's a lovely filly and is big and backward,” said Martin

“I thought the 19lb she got for Killarney would handle her but the handicapper was right. “She has just improved and improved and improved a sight from Killarney. I think she'll improve again from three to four.”

Dermot Weld's Pay Day Kitten was sent off the 11/4 favourite but could make no impression on the leaders in third, before being promoted to second.

Berry was given a one-day ban for not giving his mount time to respond to the whip.