Review GALWAY 1ST AUG

Say Again produced a tremendous performance to capture the E150,000 Guinness Galway Hurdle as the sun made a welcome appearance on day four of the festival.

The grey son of Celio Rufo arrived full of running under John Cullen to tackle Mutakarrim at the final flight and was driven out to score by two lengths, with top-weight Just Our Job running a blinder back in third.

Rising star Paul Nolan, enjoying the greatest day of his training career to date, had been worried beforehand that the ground would be too soft for his charge.

'I couldn't believe it when I saw John with a double handful coming round the home turn but he's a horse who always travels well in his races,' admitted the Wexford handler.

'I'm absolutely thrilled for his owner Sean Duggan, who sent him to me as a four year-old. It really is a great day for us all,' he continued.

Last year's Galway Hurdle hero Ansar (5/4-11/8-5/4f) made a successful bow over the larger obstacles when taking the opening 2m1f novice chase under a confident Paul Carberry.

Trainer Dermot Weld listened to the race over the phone at Goodwood, where Agnetha captured the King George Stakes, and son Mark revealed that there are no immediate plans for the five-time course winner.

Carberry also took the 3m handicap hurdle on in-form Michael Hourigan's Lantern Leader, who justified good support with a three-length verdict over Yayo.

Hourigan later bagged a second winner himself when Easy Julia (Richard Harding) touched off market leader Mount Kimble in a rousing conclusion to the bumper.

Sottvus held on by 3/4 length in a blanket finish to the 1m4f handicap, much to the delight of two lucky jackpot investors who scooped a dividend of E87,539.60.

The pool swelled to over E230,000, and would have been rolled over to Friday had fast-finishing runner-up Tom Crean not found the winning post coming just too soon.

Con Collins and Pat Shanahan teamed up for an 87/1 brace courtesy of In Other Words in the 1m handicap and Yellow Bog Common in the 7f fillies handicap.

The latter appeared to face a stiff task at the weights with her Limerick conqueror Lady Barbara, but managed the turnaround in form, defeating that rival by two lengths.

Native Sparkle (7/2-3/1f) once again emphasised what a tough performer she is when coming out best in a three-way battle for the 2m4f novice hurdle.

Keith Hadnett, the hero of yesterday's Galway Plate, did the steering aboard the five year-old mare who just contained Kilcrea Shyan and Jack Owen Jack by 3/4 length and the same.

'She's a very nice mare and is getting stronger all the time. We might try and get her some black type now,' said winning trainer Tom Hogan.