Trainer Joe Crowley landed the feature event at Galway today, with Blue Corrig winning the Ardilaun House Hotel Oyster Stakes, in real back to school sunshine.
Ridden by Seamus Heffernan, the enigmatic Blue Corrig, carrying the colours of the late Dick Forristal, pulled hard in rear early but was produced with perfect timing to lead inside the final furlong, for a 3/4l win over Sweet Firebird.
Crowley was absent but afterwards Heffernan reported 'Blue Corrig has two ways of running and thankfully he was on a going day today!'
John Kiely is better known as an excellent trainer of jump horses but he produced his Fayr Star to complete a hat-trick of Flat wins in the Tom Hogan Lexus Handicap.
Ridden by Michael Hussey, Fayr Star raced in mid division before progressing well to lead inside the final furlong, and was all out for a neck win over Fitzroy.
Kiely later mentioned 'the ground was perfect for him as he loves it very fast. He'll go for another handicap before going hurdling but won't run on soft ground.'
Stef's Girl continued Michael Halford's amazing season to make it winner number 44 for the Curragh trainer, in the Trappers Inn Handicap.
A first winner since returning from injury for Rory Cleary, Stef's Girl made virtually all and stayed on well for length success.
Afterwards Halford mentioned 'we tried to get her to settle but letting her bowl along in front is the key to her.'
Charlie Swan was full of praise for Tadhg O'Shea following his ride on Swan's Da Bookie, who finally got his head in front where it matters with a neck win in the Electronic Retail Security Handicap.
Swan reported 'Tadhg gave him a great ride as the horse needs to be dropped in. Da Bookie may go hurdling at some stage but it would have to be at some of the faster tracks as he has so much pace.'
On a day with 40 non-runners (most due to the fast ground), the three runner novice chase saw One More Minute provide Swan with a double and provide champion jockey Ruby Walsh with one more winner.
The opening two year old maiden went to Jim Bolger's Mademoiselle Sissi, who made all under Kevin Manning while David Wachman's Shutruk-Nahhunte justified 4/9 favouritism in the Tote Ireland 75th Anniversary Auction Race.
