ERLKONIG booked his place in the penultimate day’s feature at the Galway Festival as he made a resounding return to form in the Bunkers Bar And Restaurant Killorglin Handicap Hurdle.

A fourth winner from his last 11 runners for owner-trainer Tony Mullins, the grey relished the marked step up in distance to record his first success since June 2014.

Erlkonig was anchored at the rear by Danny Mullins and he still had the entire field to pass turning for home. Once the German-bred was asked to pick up he responded in fine style and he surged to the front after the second last on his way to a convincing four lengths win over Landau.

“He’d never gone beyond two miles and a furlong and was taking a big step up to two miles and six furlongs but Danny said he got the trip well,” said Mullins.

“He’ll now go for the Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle on the Saturday of Galway. The penalty that he’ll get for this should see him get into that and being a small horse, he should appreciate having a light weight on his back there. He got a very bad fall at Punchestown two runs ago and probably just needed his last run at Bellewstown to get his confidence back.”

An excellent July meeting for Fran Berry concluded with a double which he brought up on a pair of dual-purpose performers who were both warming up for Galway. The second of these to oblige was the heavily backed Modem (11/10) in the Malton Handicap over an extended two miles.

Jessica Harrington’s charge, who took second in the BoyleSports Hurdle in January, was running for the first time since an unplaced effort in the County Hurdle.

Modem travelled supremely well but he had to work once he got on terms with Zemario inside the last quarter mile and he only got home by a neck. The Turlough Blessing-owned gelding could now tackle the Guinness Galway Hurdle.

“He got a nice run through the race and I followed the second through and thought I’d win easier,” commented Berry. “He probably needed the run a bit and he was idling and the trip may have been far enough but he will improve from this.”

Earlier the Berry-ridden Western Boy (7/2) notched up his first win since Leopardstown’s 2013 Christmas Festival as a switch to the flat in the mile and three-quarters Ladbrokes Ireland Maiden brought about a revival in his fortunes.

The J.P. McManus-owned gelding hadn’t been at his best over jumps last term but the 132-rated hurdler returned in good shape from a two months break. He came with a steady challenge in the straight to collar Alguazil in the last 100 yards for a three-quarter length’s triumph.

“It’s nice to see him back, he’d lost his way a bit. He’s entered in the Galway Hurdle and I’m not sure if he’ll get in but there is another handicap hurdle for him on the Friday at Galway,” reported Pat Fahy.

Michael Winters looks to have another bright prospect on his hands in Knocknanuss who turned in a pillar to post tour de force in the lady riders’ bumper.

The winning pointer had to settle for second on his racecourse debut two months ago but was returned at 4/6 to improve on that display and he maintained a relentless tempo throughout under Nina Carberry.

In the straight he brushed aside the effort of Peregrine Run to finish with five and a half lengths to spare. The Beneficial gelding carries the colours of Rebel Fitz’s owner Brian Sweetnam and Garry Brown.

“He’s a good, galloping horse who learnt plenty from the last day and Nina liked him,” declared Winters.

“He won his point on heavy and this ground was the other end of the scale but he handled it well. We’ll look at a winner’s bumper now and he could come back here for one next month.”

Aidan O’Brien’s On A Pedestal, who had shown plenty of ability to fill the runner-up position on her first three starts this season, got her turn in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Handicap. Fresh from a neck second to the 101-rated Stellar Glow at Leopardstown last week, the daughter of Montjeu was returned the 3/1 favourite under Ana O’Brien.

On A Pedestal, in the Michael Tabor colours, moved to the front with over a furlong to run and, as she has done in the past, she swished her tail under pressure but she established a useful advantage early in the last furlong. This enabled her to post a length and a quarter success over Sidra.

“She’s been unlucky but she had run some very good races. I’m delighted she got her head in front and she’s not too bad I think,” remarked the winning rider.

Time could show that Corcoran’s Furniture & Carpets Handicap for three-year-olds over an extended mile was a reasonable contest for its grade and the winner Wonder Holy could just be one to follow.

A three-race maiden coming into this race, the Johnny Feane-trained Wonder Holy (12/1) did well to come from a midfield position heading into the last quarter of a mile.

Robbie Downey produced him with a sustained charge which carried him to the front a furlong from home and he was a snug three-quarters length winner over Dea Dia.

GAMBLE

The race was notable for a major gamble on Timeless Focus but that one was hampered by the winner at the furlong pole and had to be snatched up before eventually taking fifth. Robbie Downey picked up a two-day careless riding ban as a result of that incident.

“The track was probably a bit tight for him but he won well in the end,” commented Feane. “He ran a nice race at Fairyhouse last time (fifth to Frozen Lake) and the longer trip suited.”

Winter’s Over gave Jim Culloty his first winner in 481 days in the Killarney Avenue/Munster Joinery Maiden Hurdle over two and a half miles.

In the colours of the trainer’s mother, Maureen, the Oscar gelding was sent to the front by Brian O’Connell with two to jump and he contained the effort of Edith Somerville by a length and a half. Culloty declined to comment afterwards.