Golden Spear and happy connections© Photo Healy Racing
Tony Martin registered a double on day five of the Galway Festival, highlighted by Golden Spear s comeback victory in the Guinness Handicap.
Despite being off the scene since October, Martin's five-year-old was a well-supported 100-30 favourite and was brought with his challenge by Leigh Roche in the straight.< Repeater rallied hard, while Abraham was the last to challenge, but his effort came up just short and Golden Spear flashed past the post a half a length to the good.
Martin's smart Flat stayer Heartbreak City proved comparatively well treated over timber by landing the Guinness Handicap Hurdle.
Donagh Meyler, fresh from success on Lord Scoundrel in Wednesday's Plate, drove the 3-1 favourite between horses to hit the front after the last and he crossed the line a length in front of St Stephens Green
Roche completed a brace of his own when the Michael O'Callaghan-trained Intrepid Prince (7-1) ran away with the Arthur Guinness Handicap.< Ivan Grozny backed up his Grimes Hurdle success with a dominant display on the level in the Guinness Race.
Declan McDonogh dictated terms to suit himself on the 8-11 market leader and they didn't see a rival, coasting home 14 lengths clear of Here For The Craic and the Ebor is next.< On Fiddlers Green came out on top in the Guinness Galway Blazers Handicap Chase.
The 9-2 favourite chased Knockanarrigan when that one kicked for home at the third-last but didn't hit the front until halfway up the run-in, although he quickly put the race to bed and disposed of 2014 winner Aranhill Chief by seven lengths.
Dermot Weld enjoyed his fourth success of the 2016 Festival when 11-8 favourite Lost In Silence got the better of a protracted duel with Delegating by half a length in the Guinness 17:59 EBF Median Auction Maiden.
Weld had to settle for second, though, when Zulu Alpha proved no match for Aidan O'Brien's impressive Guinness EBF Maiden winner Triplicate
