BRIAN Ellison plundered the Irish Stallion Farms EBF 'Ahonoora' Handicap for the third year in succession as Dream Walker flew to get up late in the feature contest on the final day of the Galway Festival.

Tribal Path came off the reserves' bench to give a bold sight out in front, but was collared by the Ger Lyons-trained Reckless Endeavour at the furlong marker. The pack were closing, though, and Chris Hayes got the splits at the right time aboard Dream Walker (7-1), who sprouted wings and pipped Reckless Endeavour by a neck.

Tribal Path hung on for third, with Cailin Mor fourth, and the winner's stable companion Baraweez, who scooped this big prize for the past couple of season, also close up.

Ellison said: "They started racing from a fair way out and Chris used his head. He sat and then got all the breaks. He's a class jockey. We've had a great week at Galway and have been here since Monday.

"This horse had a bad draw on Thursday (when third) but when he's here we thought he might as well run. We let him out on Friday and he was bucking and kicking, and in great form. I thought Stipulate had the best chance but he got no run on the rail, and Baraweez had a bad draw.

"Five runs ago this horse was on the scrapheap. He'd a wind operation that didn't work, and we said we'd give him one more run with a tongue strap. He finished second and has won two good races at home since. He has got more confidence now."

FIRST WIN

Garri Rua broke his duck with a battling victory in the Galway Shopping Centre Handicap Hurdle at Ballybrit. Garrett Power's charge may be a nine-year-old but he doesn't have many miles on the clock and hit the front approaching the turn for home.

He was being pressed by Sea Light when the hot favourite parted company with Davy Russell at the last, allowing Garri Rua to come home six lengths clear of Bye Bye O Bye at odds of 14-1.

Winning jockey Danny Mullins said: "Garrett does a good job as he's not exactly straightforward. If Davy's horse had challenged me on the run-in my horse would have pulled out more, although I can't guarantee he would have won."

It was the second time that Sea Light has been unlucky at this year's Festival, having hit the crossbar when again the subject of strong support in the race won by Plain Talking on Wednesday.

THIRD TIME LUCKY

Camlann made it third-time lucky at the 2016 Galway Festival when landing the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Hurdle.

Rachael Blackmore took the lead off The Black Russian on the turn but was closely followed by Afatcat. That rival's jockey Chris Timmons had lost his irons, though, and while Afatcat managed to get his head in front, he didn't keep it there for long, with Camlann battling back to score by three-quarters of a length.

The 5-1 winner was third as favourite over hurdles last Monday, and occupied the same position on the level three days later.

His trainer Shark Hanlon said: "The first day was my fault as I didn't put the hood on him, and his next run on the Flat he just didn't get a clear run at the right time. He's a galloper and stays well.

"I'm delighted for the Mee family (owners) and for myself but especially Rachael Blackmore as she has been knocking on the door all week and that means a lot to her. He's a very genuine horse and will get a month off now."

PLATE RUNNERS TRIUMPH

Galway Plate runner-up Alelchi Inois went one better with a dominant performance in the At The Races Chase on the final day of the Festival. The Willie Mullins-trained eight-year-old's task was made easier by the withdrawal of Road To Riches but he still had Plate fifth Clarcam to contend with.

The pair had outsider He Rock's for company in a leading group of three until shaking him off on the run to the third-last, and slicker leaps at the final two carried Alelchi Inois clear.

Ruby Walsh did not have to break sweat on the 4-9 favourite, who coasted across the line with any amount in hand of Clarcam.

Devils Bride showed no ill effects from his Galway Plate exertions by claiming top honours in the Lord Hemphill Memorial Handicap Chase.

An honourable fourth in Wednesday's feature, the Willie Mullins-trained nine-year-old was sent off the 13-8 favourite, despite having top weight on his back.

Draycott Place made a bold bid for home and was still a few lengths clear jumping the last, but Ruby Walsh was biding his time on Devils Bride and once the jockey picked his moment, his mount responded impressively to score by eight lengths.

The victory completed a double for Walsh and Mullins after Alelchi Inois' earlier success, and the champion trainer said: "Ruby really enjoys riding him and was seeing strides six or seven strides from fences.

"He rode both the chase winners today with such confidence, and is riding as good as ever if not better. Age is certainly not affecting him. We will look for something over two and a half miles, and he likes good ground. Maybe if the ground is suitable he could go for the Grade 2 at Gowran Park (October 1)."

FIRST-TIME VISOR

Dermot Weld and Pat Smullen teamed up to land the JPK Fencing Handicap at Galway with Tarazani.

Having finished a distant third to Derby-winning stable companion Harzand in a Cork maiden on his latest appearance in March, the Dutch Art gelding was a well-supported 15-8 favourite for his handicap debut and travelled strongly throughout.

Smullen kicked from the home bend and Tarazani, wearing a visor for the first time, was always doing enough to hold Ondamoura at bay by a length.

Kris Weld, assistant to his father, said: "His form had a decent look to it. He won nicely, and we'll look for a similar handicap next time."

CHAMPION TRAINER

Willie Mullins ended the long reign of Dermot Weld as he was crowned champion trainer at the 2016 Galway Festival.

Not since Aidan O'Brien in 1997 had Weld's name not been top of the roll of honour, but a score of 58 to 54 on the recently-introduced points-based system meant the laurels went the way of Mullins.

The County Carlow maestro sent out 17 horses to contest 15 races and recorded nine winners, highlighted by the victory of Clondaw Warrior in the Galway Hurdle on Thursday.

A double on the final day through the Ruby Walsh-ridden Alelchi Inois and Devils Bride secured the spoils.

For his part, Weld, who had openly admitted his team was not as strong as in previous years, managed six winners.

Walsh was top National Hunt rider with seven winners and Pat Smullen best on the Flat with six.

Walsh had little hesitation in nominating his victory aboard Clondaw Warrior, owned by a syndicate that includes his wife Gillian, as the stand-out moment.

He said: "We didn't have that huge a team of horses but thankfully they were in great order and a lot of them hit the target. It was a dream come true to ride such a big winner for some of your closest friends - it was a great kick."

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