Jim Gorman’s Hassanali landed the first blow for the bookmakers at the Galway Festival when springing a 20-1 surprise in the G.P.T. Sligo Novice Hurdle.

RUBY WALSH joined the sidelined Davy Russell at the top of the jockeys’ championship, 121 winners apiece, when guiding Captain Conflict to a smooth success in the Saltan Properties Maiden Hurdle at Tramore last night.