Busselton and Declan McDonogh © Photo Healy Racing
Having won the amateur maiden earlier on the night, trainer Joseph O'Brien foiled a big gamble when sending out Busselton to win the concluding Watch Danny's Diary @ Toteracing Handicap at Galway.
In a contest which saw a major plunge on the Emmet Mullins trained Jacovec Cavern 28/1-11/4f), it was the former Kerry National winner who stayed on best inside the final furlong to reward those who took 8/1. Thermoscope took the field along for the first circuit but surrendered the lead to Golden Temple having run wide off the bend at the end of the first circuit.
The latter led down into the dip but was headed by the strong travelling Narlita entering the straight. Declan McDonogh moved well in fourth on the eventual winner but was briefly checked for room on the inside, forcing him to delay his challenge.
Moving closer to draw alongside the leader over a furlong out, the pair were joined by Jacovec Cavern who had been smuggled into the race by Michael O'Sullivan having been held up early doors.
However, as Narlita gave way, Busselton found extra reserves to hold off the rallying Mullins runner to foil the gamble by three-quarters-of-a-length.
Joseph O’Brien: “He’s a good tough horse and it’s nice to see him back to form. He had the blinkers back on today and a bit more juice in the ground probably helped him.
“Delighted to have a winner at the Galway Festival for Michael (Burke).
“We might look at the Kerry National again in Listowel. I think we have him back in good nick now.
“He has plenty of options and can run again on the Flat.”
Additional reporting by Alan Magee.
