Viaduct Joey not for passing

Viaduct Joey took the extended two mile five furlong handicap hurdle at Galway by two-and-a-half lengths in the hands of in-form Tom Doyle.

The five-year-old gelding was sent up to Galway by Cork-based Terence O’Brien and he was rewarded with the spoils as his 7/1 joint favourite hit the front at the last and kept on best to score.

By The Hour kept on for second at 10/1 (backed in from 16s in the morning) as he pipped long-time leader King Ali (16/1) by half-a-length. Knockieran rewarded each way punters by finishing fourth in the 20-runner handicap at 10/1. Conem was the other 7/1 joint favourite, but came home eighth. Only 12 horses completed in the testing conditions.

Michael Graham