The likeable Golan Go recorded his third career victory this evening in the Mayo Advertiser Handicap for his trainer Paul Magnier with Wayne Lordan aboard.
In the previous race on this day last year, the son of Golan was unruly in the stalls and broke the stall he was in. He was then placed in a stall on the outside much to the annoyance of his trainer Paul Magnier.
There was no such problems twelve months on however, as the 11/4 favourite ran out a comfortable length and a half winner.
He tracked the leaders early on before moving into third, three furlongs from home, when ridden. He challenged the leader, & eventual runner-up, Priors Gold (6/1) from under two furlongs out and got the better of him inside the final furlong, staying on well to score. Walter De La Mare finished seven lengths back in third, while there was a fourteen length break to Scots Gaelic in fourth, suggesting the good to yielding going is taking some getting.
Interestingly, the winner was fourth behind Whatever It Takes at Tipperary on his last start, with the winner of the previous race Newmarket Story a place ahead in third.
Winning trainer Paul Magnier said afterwards: "Hopefully he can do that again, if the handicapper is kind to him.
"He might go for a handicap hurdle at Galway next but it's a tough place to go."
Donal Murphy
