Trainer Mahon on the mark for second time at Ballybrit

LOCAL trainer Steve Mahon saddled his second winner of the Galway September meeting when bottom weight Afacat took advantage of his feather burden in the Galway City & Salthill Publicans Charity Handicap Hurdle at Ballybrit last Wednesday.

Kilcolgan-based Mahon, who had turned out Diva Dawn to land a novice hurdle 24 hours earlier, was back in the Galway winners’ enclosure as Afacat, ridden by 7lb claimer Donagh Meyler, came from well off the pace to scoot clear up the hill after getting on terms at the last flight.

Mahon’s charge was well supported in being returned the 11/2 favourite in what had looked a wide open handicap. Afacat, which only carried 9st 6lbs, was gaining compensation for a couple of recent runners-up placings, including behind Dollar And A Dream at the summer festival.

Another local trainer, Val O’Brien, was represented by the in-form veteran Valours Minion in the featured Guinness Handicap Chase and the Athenry handler must have been optimistic about an eighth career win for the 12-year-old when the veteran hit the front on meeting the rising ground.

And though Valours Minion battled strongly up the hill, Philip Enright’s mount had to be content with third place as 10/1 winner Devils Bride and the admirable 13-year-old Fosters Cross, running in his 100th race, both collared the local hope close to the line.

Former jockey turned trainer Shay Barry had probably given up on Whiskey No Ice collecting in the opening Mervue Maiden Hurdle when Iffjack surged clear after the second last, but the blinkered front-runner emptied quickly as the 11/8 second favourite swept by to win going away from Vermont Fougeray.

Punters witnessed a tough pillar to post success from the Margaret Mullins trained Ballychorous (100/30) which saw off the persistent challenge of Tri Na Ceile in the Galway City & Salthill Publicans Mares Hurdle.

Winning jockey Adrian Heskin went on to complete a double on the closing day of the Galway September meeting as another frontrunner Perfect Promise, the 11/4 second favourite, eased home by five lengths from Shantou Flyer in the Ryans Cleaning Chase, a race in which the closing Letter Of Credit fell at the last and interfered with eventual third Urano.

Ruby Walsh and Willie Mullins combined for Ice Reply to get off the mark over the larger obstacles, but only after a tight finish which saw the 11/8 market leader just wearing down Milan Quartet for a head verdict. The concluding Jamie Kyne Memorial Flat Race went to the Sarah O’Brien ridden Rosshaven Lady, trained by her father Aidan.