The 4/5 favourite Galileo's Choice ran out an easy winner of the KWD Recycling Qualified Riders Race under Robbie McNamara, recording a double on the card for trainer Dermot Weld (having earlier scored with Catch The Eye .
The lightly raced 5yo son of Galileo was last seen winning his maiden hurdle at the Galway Festival. He finished second to Pittoni on his run before that, which was his first outing of 2011.
He ran just twice last year which included finishing third in the Group 3 Mooresbridge Stakes at the Curragh behind Fame And Glory.
Today, The Last Don made the early running, while the winner settled in behind. He was close up in the early straight and was ridden to lead from two furlongs out.
He then settled the contest in a matter of strides, going quickly clear to score easily by three and a half lengths. Luska Lad at 7/1, ran a good race to finish second on his first start since May while dual bumper winner Blossom Gate finished a further length and three parts back in third at 9/4.
Winning rider Robbie McNamara said afterwards: "That is my 50th winner for Mr Weld and I hope the next fifty come as easy.
"He was entitled to win like that. They went a bit slow early on and I got there a bit too soon but he quickened up well.
“He is the makings of a smart hurdler.”
John Hanlon said afterwards in regards to Luska Lad's effort: "I thrilled with his run. He would have preferred it softer. He will go for a mile and six, Qualified Riders Race at Listowel next (the Slan Abhaile).
"When the ground gets softer he will go Novice Chasing, maybe around November.
"Patrick (Mullins) said that he is still better going right handed but he is not as bad as he was going left handed."
Donal Murphy
