Star shines bright for Casey and Cleary
It was very much a poignant victory for Palace Star's rider, Rory Cleary. Last October his older brother, Sean, was killed at Ballybrit in a contest, ironically, also won by Palace Star.
Calorando tried to make all, but had little left inside the furlong pole, as the winner and Amouralis went past.
There followed a short, sharp, tussle but young Cleary didn't have to get overly serious with his mount to score by a snug head.
"Where would I get a drink", exclaimed a delighted Casey. "I thought she'd win, because of the drying ground and the weight with the lad riding.
"I bred her as well and don't know where she will go next. I am going to stay here all night!"
A big gamble went astray on Harry Rogers' top weight, Livadiya. Backed from 10-1 to 7-2 favourite, she never threatened to get involved.
The Posh Paddy, despite some deliberate jumping, beat the heavily-backed Laurel View in the opening Albartos Feeds Maiden Hurdle.
Ruby Walsh powered him ahead off the home turn, as Laurel View and Tony McCoy went in immediate pursuit.
Laurel View, however, was awkward over the final flight and that was the decisive moment. He rallied on the flat, but was still half a length adrift at the line.
Said trainer, Tony Mullins: "Ruby thinks he's a fair beast and that's encouraging. He loves the ground and is likely to go for a winners of one at Tralee.
"We haven't discussed it, but the way he jumped here it mightn't be too long before he goes over fences."
Mick Fitzgerald enjoyed his first ever success at Galway when partnering Talking Cents in the Albatros Plant Nutrition Chase.
"I desperately wanted to ride a winner here, this means a lot to me", said Fitzgerald.
Talking Cents settled the issue when quickening into the lead coming away from the last and, hard as Ross Moff tried, he could never get on terms.
Trained by Shane Donohoe, Talking Cents carried the colours of Seamus Ross junior, while the second is owned by his father, also Seamus.
Kevin Prendergast, who had a double on Monday, was on the mark again when newcomer, Right Key, turned over odds-on favourite, Faint Heart, in the McDonogh Feeds EBF Fillies Maiden.
Faint Heart made most and appeared certain to score when shooting a couple of lengths clear turning in.
But in-form Declan McDonogh got a splendid tune from his partner and Right Key swept past in the closing stages to score by a length.
"She was well prepared and we were very happy with the way she was finishing at home", related McDonogh. "She was working nicely and we were quietly confident."
The talented Helen Keohane rode her second Festival winner, the first came two years ago on Avena Sativa, when giving Caviar Royale a tremendous drive to take the McDonogh DIY Handicap.
The Michael Kinane ridden Sahara Prince was all the rage in the ring and, momentarily, looked set to land the wagers when touching the front with less than a furlong to go.
But Keohane produced the venerable Caviar Royale with an irresistible burst on the outside to grab the advantage close home.
The Royal Academy gelding, now a 10-year-old, is a credit to Navan handler, Liam McAteer.
Without a victory since Thirsk in '97, he has nursed him back to run consistently of late.
Commented McAteer: "Helen did exactly what I told her to do, she gave him a great ride. This fellow is nearing pension-age, but is tough."
Kinane, who will be aboard Nayyir for Gerard Butler in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood today, finally got off the mark for the week when John Oxx's Caradak streaked away with the McDonogh Style Concepts Maiden.
The son of Desert Style had shown little or nothing on his debut at Leopardstown, but clearly came on a bundle for the experience and was thumped in from some 7-2 to 2-1. Kinane took him into the lead before the final bend and Caradak lengthened clear in a manner which suggested he's a horse with a future.
Fran Berry and Pat Hughes are two men in rare form at the moment and they combined to win the McDonogh Builders' Trade Centre Handicap with Loyal.
In truth, he scored with a lot in hand - four lengths - after Berry had eased him into the lead approaching the home turn.
Hughes, who has a fine record at Galway, indicated that his charge would reappear on Saturday in another two mile handicap.
The Tote set a new record for a Tuesday night, €1,098,866, in front of an attendance of 23,280, up from 21,103 last year.
The layers held €2,488,571, it was €2,429,397 a year ago, with the concluding maiden seeing a whopping e508,966 go through the books.
