O'Brien opens his Galway account with Triplicate

Joseph O'Brien saddled his first winner at this year's Galway Festival as Triplicate kept on strongly under Mark Walsh in the extended two mile maiden hurdle.

The well backed 7/2 favourite (from 11/2) travelled best on the outside coming to the final flight.

He headed Hyperdrive popping that flight and drew clear in the final furlong to win by three and three quarter lengths. Mr Everest (6/1) came through for second with Hyperdrive (13/2) weakening to third, a further six and a half lengths adrift.

Joseph O'Brien said: "It was nice to get a winner here as it was a frustrating week with a few placed horses but it's nice to get a winner and he's a nice horse.

"He handles an ease in the ground and jumps well. He has a bit to go yet to be a Graded horse over hurdles, and while he could possibly be a Graded horse, he has only won a maiden in August. We'll probably find a winners' race for him next."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes