Weld off the mark in first

Dermot Weld wasted no time in getting off the mark for the week at Galway as Train Of Thought landed the opening contest of the festival when claiming the novice hurdle at Ballybrit this afternoon.

The Sadler's Wells gelding benefitted from a terrific ride by Ruby Walsh as he made a winning debut over timber.

Walsh sent the 9/4 shot into the lead in the early stages and he made a decisive move two from home in the two-mile contest.

A flying leap at the penultimate hurdle propelled Train Of Thought clear of his field and he soon had his rivals struggling.

The four-year-old responded well turning for home and galloped on strongly to post a four-and-a-quarter length margin over Faustina Pius

13/8 favourite Discoteca proved a disappointment, failing to pick up from the second last and finishing only fourth.

“It was a star studded ride from the jockey,” said Weld afterwards.

“He went out on a novice and rode him like a handicapper. He went straight into the lead and probably won the race at the second last.

“He asked him for a big one and he pinged it. He's entered for the mile-and-a-half handicap on Sunday and all being well he'll reappear.”

Weld was playing down the chances of another record breaking week:-

“It's a long week so don't being getting any notions of anything! If the rain stays away it would make things a lot better but it probably won't.”