JESSICA Harrington’s Tauran Shaman produced a performance of real substance to land the Bet With The Tote At The Galway Races Handicap over a mile.

The Zhang Yuesheng-owned colt only got home by a nose from Insane Bolt but this doesn’t quite convey the merit of this display as Tauran Shaman came here off just one run and he faced quite a task in looking to defy a mark of 90 for last month’s debut victory at Killarney.

Shane Foley’s mount, who was backed from 6/1 into 7/2 on track, did really well to overcome inexperience and greenness to carry the day and he might just have a future outside of handicaps.

The winner edged out to his left inside the final furlong, which didn’t do the runner-up any favours, but a stewards’ enquiry left the placings unchanged.

“He was very green and he ran around a bit but he’s a nice horse and should progress from here,” remarked the trainer.

Breslin winner

The card concluded with Upgraded stealing the Tote-sponsored two-mile handicap from the front. A masterful Robbie Colgan established a good lead on the mare, who is trained by Tony Martin for John Breslin, and Upgraded was not for catching at any stage.

“She kept the closers at bay in the straight to defeat the 5/4 favourite Eight And Bob by two and three-quarter lengths.

“I left it up to Robbie but I told him that she stays well and he judged things perfectly from the front. It’s great it’s worked as John loves a winner here and she might turn out again on Sunday,” remarked Martin.

Highlight of the day

BORICE was another winner of the Galway Plate for Gordon Elliott but this was a first for rider Luke Dempsey who was enjoying by far the biggest and most lucrative success of his career.

Sexton ban

KEVIN Sexton picked up a two-day whip ban for his efforts on Peregrine Run in the Plate.

Clerical error

BEFORE the Galway Plate, the stewards enquired into the excuse lodged (clerical error) for the withdrawal of the Willie Mullins-trained Some Neck. The evidence led the stewards to determine that there was confusion that warranted further investigation so the matter was referred to the IHRB chief executive.