McMahon takes 'GPT' glory for second year in a row

Aubrey McMahon won the featured Connacht Hotel (Q.R.) Handicap at Galway for the second year in a row, this time on board Uradel (12/1).

Hot favourite Limini looked to have the race at her mercy as she tanked past Azzuri entering the home straight but her stablemate Uradel had other ideas.

He stormed home in the final furlong to sweep past Limini (2/1f) and Patrick Mullins in the final 150 yards to win by a length and a half. Waaheb came in nine lengths further back in third at 66/1. He was three parts of a length in front of first reserve Azzuri (7/1 from 12/1).

Willie Mullins, trainer of Uradel and Limini, said: "They went a fantastic gallop and they kept up the pace. They often ease off the pace passing the stands but they kept it up down the back.

“Obviously the ones making the pace fell by the wayside and Limini was travelling well and then I looked back and I saw Uradel was travelling well. I thought that was Patrick’s biggest danger turning for home and it turned out that way.

“It was a tremendous performance from Aubrey as a 7lb claimer to win it two years in a row.

“They were nine lengths clear of the third, and it was a great run from Limini after being off for so long. Limini will stay on the Flat and we’ll run her in a big handicap wherever we can get in or she may even go for a Listed race.”

Uradel brought up a double on day one of the Festival for Mullins as he also took the opener with Easy Game

Aubrey McMahon (20) said: "I'm just overwhelmed, I can't believe it. It's funny, this time last year I had two horses for the GPT - this fellow and Whiskey Sour and about two or three weeks before the race I wasn't sure which one I was going to ride and didn't this fellow get a niggly injury that ruled him out. I ended up on Whiskey Sour last year. And I have this fellow this year. It just shows you the way things work out.

"I haven't been able to sleep all week thinking about riding this fellow. I have been looking forward to riding him for months. I knew he would give me a great spin.

"I said to myself after I won last year that I would soak this up and I came here today and I was like 'gees I wouldn't mind that feeling again'. Here it has happened again. You couldn't wish for it."

His father, owner Luke McMahon, said: "I just can't believe it. Aubrey has been very happy with him all week. He said he does go well fresh and said he was in great order.

"He was drawn 13 and they went so fast he had to drop him completely out. he never panicked and you could see that he was following Limini the whole way. In the dip I said we had a great chance of being placed. Fair dues to the horse and jockey they dug deep."

The Stewards interviewed Mr P.W. Mullins, rider of Limini, concerning his use of the whip in the latter stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were of the opinion that Mr. P.W. Mullins was in breach of R(10)(4) by failing to give his mount time to respond to the whip. Having taken his previous record into consideration, the Stewards suspended Mr. P.W. Mullins for three race days.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee