Hughes’s decision to bypass Galway with Khairambar proved right
Hughes had intended running the grey eight-year-old at the Galway Festival last week, where his engagements included the 'Plate', but decided against running him because of the fast ground.
His decision was rewarded as he justified 6/4 favouritism here, at the expense of chief market rival Safe Route.
Hughes praised winning rider Paddy Flood in his post race comments: “This fellow can be a bit free but Paddy got him settled well. His jumping was a little slow early on but it got better as the race progressed and he won well.
“I’m not sure where he’ll go now but he might have to go handicapping.”
Dawadari, a triple bumper winner last year for trainer Steven Mahon, opened his hurdling account in the Nick O’Donnell Memorial Maiden Hurdle but needed an energetic and determined ride from Robbie McNally to land the spoils.
Southern Style, ridden by John Cullen, made all the running and looked sure to triumph for trainer Michael Grassick until Dawadari wore her down on the run in to triumph by a length and a half.
Mahon said: “Both Robbie and the horse had to work hard. Dawadari probably needs further than two miles because he was flat out all the way. We might even try him over three miles.”
On a night which produced a few shocks, the biggest surprise came in the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Hurdle when 33/1 shot Brave Castaway prevailed for trainer Tony Seymore and jockey Eddie Power, paying odds of almost 113/1 of the Tote.
In-form Philip Carberry provided another shock in the concluding handicap chase producing Mullaghea Boy with a perfectly timed challenge at the final fence to thwart his flattering stable companion Mac Robin. Both horses are trained by Gerry Keane.
Trainer Robbie Osborne and jockey Robbie Burke, who combined to win the valuable McDonogh Handicap at Galway with Latino Magic, struck again when Long Journey ended a four year lean spell by recording his initial success in the Newtown Handicap.
Earlier Fire Finch, trained by Tom Hogan, was ridden to victory by Seamus Heffernan in the Selskar Maiden while star apprentice Chris Hayes recorded his 23rd win of the season on board the Pat Hughes trained Luckahocka in the Derrinstown Stud Apprentice Handicap, bouncing back to form after a lacklustre display at Ballinrobe last time, to outpoint Amisina at the first leg of a jackpot which yielded a dividend of €8,889.70 to the single lucky winner.
