WINTER Fog’s win in the feature Deacy Gilligan Hurdle was the highlight of a treble for Willie Mullins on the first of two days at Galway.

A beaten odds-on favourite at Kilbeggan last month, the 147-rated nine-year-old was sent off a 4/1 chance in the colours of the Triple Lock Partnership.

With Seddon (5/4 favourite) attempting to make all, the Paul Townend-ridden victor came with his challenge before the last and after a protracted battle on the run-in, just a neck separated them at the line in the two miles, five and a half-furlong contest.

“Paul gave him a super ride and while the weights of the race didn’t suit, the conditions did,” Patrick Mullins commented.

“There is now a small possibility he could go for the American Grand National.”

Alvaniy had a much easier time of it in the opening Kenny Developments Maiden Hurdle, with Brian Hayes aboard this Paul Byrne-owned chesnut.

Previously trained by Paul Gammel and a solid fifth on his debut for Mullins last month, the Iffraaj five-year-old was sent off a well-supported 5/4 favourite (from 11/4 early).

Eased clear

While not fluent at times, he jumped to the front at the last and soon eased clear, coming home four and a half lengths to the good.

“It was an average enough maiden and he was entitled to do that,” Hayes reflected. “He was a little clumsy in jumping and has a lot to learn in that regard. He is a nice type though and hopefully will progress.”

Just For Love made it a perfect three from three for Mullins, as she too justified strong market support in the concluding Irish Stallion Farms EBF INH Flat Race.

Market leader

A daughter of Affinisea, the Patrick Mullins-ridden four-year-old was available at 11/10 in early shows, before going off the clear market leader at 4/9.

Never far from the pace, she travelled best on the approach to the straight and was pushed along to lead over a furlong from home.

Soon pressed by fellow debutant Final Escape, she kept on best when ridden in the closing stages, ultimately seeing off that rival by two and a quarter lengths.

“I’ve been involved in horses before, but this is my first winner and is the first one to run in my own colours,” winning owner Niall Glynn, who is from Lusmagh, Co Offaly, revealed.

TIM Doyle’s purple patch continued in the second division of the two miles and six furlongs Galway Handicap Hurdle, with his son David guiding Delias Pet to a breakthrough success.

A first winner over flights for her 17-year-old jockey, the 82-rated 6/1 chance gained a narrow lead before the last and needed to be ridden out on the run-in, seeing off the game effort of Ballagh Star by a neck.

“She is the most frustrating mare and I thought she’d have races won long ago. Even today she idled when she got to the front,” Doyle, who was recording his fourth success in the space of nine days, disclosed.

Owned and bred by his wife Claire, the Thurles handler added: “She has loads of ability but had lost her confidence completely and any little thing would put her off. This summer she has gradually built it back.”

Sonny Carey is another enjoying a fine time of things and he sent out his third winner from as many runners, when Hutchie claimed the first division of this two-mile-six-furlong heat.

A half-brother to ill-fated Grade 2 winner Blackbow, the Valirann chesnut didn’t go unsupported and was returned an 11/1 chance (from 25s) in the colours of Mary Kilduff.

Final strides

Never far from the pace under J.J. Slevin, he was short of room from the last and was soon switched off the rail to challenge, getting up in the final strides to deny Tullyhogue Fort (3/1 favourite) by a neck.

Previously trained by Debbie Hartnett, Carey said in the aftermath: “We haven’t got him long and he is improving with every week. It was his handicap debut and on his work at home I thought he had a chance.”

Listentillitellyea was yet another recording a first career success, with the Tom Gibney-trained seven-year-old stylishly opening his account in the angloprinters.ie Handicap Hurdle.

A runner-up five times from his previous 22 starts, the Darragh O’Keeffe-ridden 5/1 chance certainly wasn’t winning out of turn.

Owned by the Mayo Meath Men Partnership, the successful bay took over from the front-running Cozone on the approach to the last and soon stretched clear, with 11-lengths the margin of victory.

“He has always been threatening to do that and I finished second on him five times. He had always met one too good but in fairness he is a good consistent horse,” O’Keeffe remarked.

CALICO completed an across-the-card double for Gordon Elliott in the Galway City Beginners Chase, with the Cullentra handler earlier successful at Perth with Kyogo.

Making her debut over fences and getting sex and age weight allowances, the Spanish Moon four-year-old was sent off the clear market leader at 10/11 (from 9/4 early).

Jack Kennedy always looked confident aboard the Goldman Racing Syndicate-owned bay. She went to the front on entering the straight and readily increased her advantage, leading home Rexem by two and a half lengths.

“She jumped well, travelled great and did it well,” Kennedy enthused. “It was a good opportunity getting the allowances and I couldn’t fault her. She only does what she has to do but I’m very happy with her.”

Glenquin Castle was yet another well-supported winner on this eight-race programme, with the nine-year-old seeing off his seven rivals in the Kenny Developments Handicap Chase.

Trained by Martin Brassil and ridden by his son Conor, the J.P. McManus-owned bay was returned a 17/2 chance from early shows of 20/1.

Registering a first success since his memorable seven in-a-row back in 2021, the nine-year-old edged to the front inside the final furlong and ultimately came home a length and a quarter to the good.

“It has taken a while, but he is slowly coming back and it’s great to see it,” Frank Berry, McManus’ racing manager, stated. “He’ll mix it between hurdles and fences now.”