Aramon (second left) jumps to the front at the last in the Guinness Galway Hurdle© Photo Healy Racing
The featured Guinness Galway Hurdle saw topweight Aramon (7/1) put up a fine performance to win in the hands of Patrick Mullins, giving his father Willie a fourth win in the race.
Always close to the pace, the winner travelled well on the heels of the leader Hunters Call turning for home, and after the last he kept on strongly to score by two and a quarter lengths from Hearts Are Trumps (40/1). Petit Mouchoir (25/1), a regular adversary of the winner, was back in third with Hunters Call (12/1) finishing fourth in the end.
Keith Donoghue came in for the ride on 4/1 favourite Felix Desjy after Davy Russell stood himself down with a back problem after the first race on the card. The favourite was an early faller, however, at the second flight with Moon Over Germany and Play The Game also coming a cropper at that point of the race.
A high-class novice, Aramon was winning for the fifth time over hurdles. He had run very well when second to stablemate Saint Roi in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham in March, and came back when racing resumed to beat Petit Mouchoir in the Grimes Hurdle at Tipperary in June.
Formerly owned by the Supreme Horse Racing Club, the Monsun gelding now carries the colours of the Aramon Syndicate.
“I got a good bollocking off Willie for missing the start in the Plate yesterday so I wasn't missing the start today!” said Patrick Mullins, who was winning the race for the second time following Sharjah's victory in 2018.
“I jumped the first in front, I thought Felix Desjy would be making the running. I got over to the rail, dropped a gear and Denis O'Regan was the person who has gone by me.
“He wouldn't be known for setting strong fractions so I said I was going to get out from behind him and try and get a clear run.
“As long as Denis was in front I was happy we weren't going too fast.
“He had 3lb more than Sharjah and that was good news for me, those big weights.
“The race was run to suit him, the fact that it was good ground and they went steady. With a real strong gallop the weight would have told a bit more.
“Paul makes the decisions. Aramon was the only one I could ride at the weights. Paul was in two minds about what way to go.
“In the end weight swung it for him towards Buildmeupbuttercup I just texted Willie saying Aramon was the only one I could ride and he said fine.
“He has to be a Champion Hurdle horse after that. He was a very good novice and a bit like Sharjah lost his way then but his run off top-weight in the County and win off top-weight here, it looks like he's getting his mojo back.
“That could put him up to 160 which puts him within 3 or 4lb of the top horses in the land. I'd imagine it'll be Grade Ones from now on.
“He's better on good ground. He could be a horse for Far Hills in America but maybe in a year's time.
“I haven't had a chance to talk to Willie yet but I'd imagine the phone call will be bit better than it was yesterday after the Plate.”
Additionlal reporting by Gary Carson
