What a week for Whiskey at Galway

Whiskey Sour followed up his win in the Connacht Hotel (QR) Handicap on the opening night when capturing another big prize for connections in the Guinness Premier Handicap at Galway this evening.

When Mawaany attempted to assert from before the straight it looked like the grey might take a bit of pegging back.

However Whiskey Sour obviously relishes a hill finish and he soon went into overdrive in pursuit of the leader, under a patient Declan McDonogh.

McDonogh had taken the Tuesday highlight for Mullins on Riven Light, in the COLM QUINN BMW Mile Handicap, and here he had another very willing partner.

Connections and backers of Mawaany would be entitled to feel their luck is out, because though drawing six lengths on from the third, they were nabbed by three parts of a length by a red-hot opponent.

"When I saw the draw I said that's our chance gone but the field coming back from 16 to 12 runners was a help," said Mullins.

"He won here as a two-year-old as well so he obviously loves the track.

"A lot of things just came together for him this week.

"He was a bit keener with Declan and got a bit far back.  I thought Ger Lyons' horse (Mawaany) had flown.

"Our fella loves that summer soft ground and his hurdling career might be on hold for a while.

"The Irish Cesarewitch and the English Cesarewitch are options.

"Another option is the mile six furlong 150,000 Euro handicap on Irish Champions Weekend."

The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Mawaany, trained by G.M.Lyons, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.

(TW & EM)