THE Natalia Lupini-trained Dunum bagged another big pot at Galway when landing the featured Irish Stallion Farms EBF Ahonoora Handicap on the final day.

It was a fourth track win for the admirable eight-year-old and a third premier handicap, with previous wins in this race in 2023 and a ‘Mile’ success last year. He went to post an 11/1 shot having finished well beaten in the Tuesday feature this time and bounced back in fine style.

Billy Lee, who ended the week as top flat rider, was soon in front and kicked for home turning in to secure a length-and-three-quarter win over Unique Journey.

The winning rider said: “He’s a great horse around here, he has a great record. He actually ran well here on Tuesday evening. He was just too fresh and keen and did too much.

“I said to the lads that if it works, I’ll just let him roll along and not interfere with him. He skipped along on the ground and loved it. Natalia and Craig (Bryson) have done a great job to keep him fresh. A prep run in a Galway Mile is probably not what you want but it worked out well today.”

Prominence is key

Being prominent proved the key on the final day as Oristown Boy was to the fore throughout when landing the Irish EBF Auction Series Maiden for Joseph Murray.

Rory Mulligan kicked on over a furlong from home on the 15/2 shot as he posted a three-parts of a length win over the staying-on Whosinterviewinwho.

It was a first Galway Festival success for both trainer and rider and Mulligan said afterwards: “I’m delighted to get one. Joey looked after me when I was younger, so it’s good. I used to ride plenty of work for him when I was only 15. It’s nice to pay him back a bit.

“Galway is special, some atmosphere. I didn’t have much luck all week so it’s nice to sign off with a winner.”

Blue Moon shines bright

In the following Village Salthill Handicap the Johnny Murtagh-trained Blue Blue Moon was also prominent throughout, leading in the dip and staying on well to score by a length-and-a-half.

Winning rider Paddy McGettigan, who was wearing the Moyglare Stud colours, said of the 14/1 winner: “It worked out really well today. When she got to the front, she felt like she tried. She found a lot for me up the hill. I think she’s a filly going the right way anyway. She loves that kind of ground, it’s a big help to her. I just want to say a massive thanks to Johnny and everyone. To ride a winner in these colours is special.”

WILLIE Mullins capped another fine week at Galway with a double on the final day of action. Blood Destiny proved a class act in the Lord Hemphill Memorial Handicap Chase as he recorded a cosy success in the two-mile-two contest.

Paul Townend gave the 5/1 shot a confident ride as he tracked leader Coming Up Easy throughout before picking off that rival in the straight for a smooth three-and-three-quarter-length success.

The week’s leading trainer said afterwards: “Carrying 12 stone in a good handicap, that was a really good performance. That’s always in him but he hasn’t always given us that. He’s disappointed me on occasion, but he was very good there today.”

Doubling up

Mullins had also struck a couple of races earlier with Caher Roes Den in the Kenny Galway Peugeot Handicap Hurdle. Danny Mullins did the steering on Roger Brookhouse’s gelding, who stayed on strongly to lead after the last in the three-miler.

The well-backed 9/2 shot asserted in the closing stages to post a three-and-three-quarter-length success over Mr Master Mac.

The winning rider said afterwards: “He was maybe a bit flat-footed off the bend but I liked what he did when he got a bit of daylight. He ran up the hill nicely towards the finish. He’s probably a horse that will jump a fence as well.”

Slattery denies Mullins treble

Linford was sent off a 2/11 shot to complete a treble on the day for Mullins in the concluding Fr Breen Memorial INH Flat Race but proved no match for Caislean Gear. The Andy Slattery-trained gelding swooped into the lead passing the two pole in the two-miler and the 13/2 shot galloped on strongly for Adam Ryan to post a six-length success.

Ryan wore the colours of the winning Taceec Syndicate and he said of the owners: “That was super. They are all local men. To have a horse good enough to come here and win at the Festival makes it that bit more special. We feel like he is improving away the whole time, so we were quietly confident. He just kept stepping forward in his work at home and he is a nice horse.”

THE Aidan Melia-trained Timurshah completed a four-timer in the opening Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle as he continued to go from strength to strength.

Conor Smithers was on board the Mastercraftsman gelding again and gave him a confident ride to double up at the Festival. The 7/2 shot was produced to dispute with front-runner Castleheath over the last and asserted on the run-in for a five-length win.

Smithers said afterwards: “To be fair, he was getting a bit keen early. I was just desperate to get in and get a bit of cover. As soon as I did, he switched off.

“Down the hill, it got a bit tight again. Thankfully, he’s a good hardy sort and he was able to move one or two out of his way. He put the race to bed well in the straight.”

Darragh O’Keeffe also partnered his second winner of the week when Jukebox Jury claimed the Kinlay Hostel Handicap Chase.

The 9/2 shot was prominent throughout in the two-mile-six contest and reeled in Drop A Threat on the run-in to secure a four-length success for trainer Henry de Bromhead and owner Tony Durkan.

“He had a good run the last day in Limerick. Henry said to me after the race that they had put this chase into Galway and that’s been the plan so it worked out well,” said O’Keeffe.