Shield triumphs for the Galway punters

Shield got favourite backers off to a flier on day two of the Galway Festival as he won the Topaz Novice Hurdle at 15/8.

The five-year-old, trained by Aidan O’Brien, was off the bridle before four out and jumped the second last in sixth place. However, he got a dream run through on the inner of Here For the Craic coming to the last and jumped it on terms with Queen Alphabet

The JP McManus-owned gelding stayed on well up the hill to beat Queen Alphabet (9/2) by a length. The runner-up travelled smoothly into contention, but got caught out by Shield’s run up the inner.

Robbie Power said: “He was kind of flat out early. His jumping kept him in it. He can be slow at hurdles, but today he was quicker. He winged the second last and I got after him. When I asked him to go quickly he did go quickly. I got after him and he quickened into the gap well. Aidan said to me beforehand to take a chance.”

Aidan O’Brien added: “You would have to be delighted with him. Robbie gave him a great ride. JP picked the race for him. He’s a good consistent horse. He definitely stays further and he loves that fast ground.

“He jumps great now. Robbie and Conn did schooling with him. Robbie said he was a bit lazy but he got a great run through and did a great job and got a peach of a ride. He’ll go jumping fences. He has already been entered in a few novice chases.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson