River in full flow for locals
In doing so, trainer Paul Nolan followed Dermot Weld's example, proving there's a new way to train the winners of big races at this magnificent Festival.
The previous afternoon, Weld saddled Ansar to land the Plate. The horse had been prepared exclusively on the flat and hadn't jumped a fence in public since Galway a year earlier.
Nolan, who learned many tricks of the trade in his time with Jim Bolger, followed the maestro's example.
When Cloone River was grabbed close to home by Sabadilla the decision was made to come back again and try to set the record straight.
But Nolan, like Weld, terrified of a rise in the weights, decided his star would have to compete without any pop over flights on the racecourse.
Again he prepared him with a number of spins on the flat and the plan worked a treat.
Cloone River, owned by Bernard and Kathleen Gillane from Gort, returned to the reception of the week. It was as if the whole of Gort had squeezed into the winner's enclosure.
When the betting opened about two weeks ago, he was on offer at 12-1 generally. That was taken steadily and he was best priced 7-1 yesterday morning.
On the track he opened at 11-2, but his supporters simply hadn't enough on. He was the medium of a massive touch, as the layers repeatedly had to reach for the chalk, or, in many cases now, the click of the computer, to shorten the horse's price.
The weight of money was simply unbelievable, as the odds moved lower and lower, and he lodged at 7-2. Indeed, a whopping ā¬608,128 was bet on the plate, the most money the bookmakers have ever held on a single race at the Festival.
It looked a ridiculous price, 7-2, to win a Galway Hurdle, one of the most competitive handicaps of the year. But it was money wisely invested, as Cloone River overcame difficulties in running to land the wagers.
Said rider, John Cullen: "I was lucky not to be brought down at the second when Willie Slattery's horse [Crimson Flower] went. My only worry before the race was that he would be very keen and I had to get him covered up. But I nearly did too good a job!
"The plan was to go down the inside, but I had a couple of minor scares. Once I had a clear run I knew he would come home well."
Said Nolan: "We were very disappointed after last year, but these are the days that count. We will discuss it, but I would say this is the last time you well see him over hurdles. I think it will be 'chasing from now on."
lThe field for the Guinness Handicap at Galway yesterday were sent on their way over four minutes early by starter Peter McGouran.
In what could be best described as a comedy of errors, McGouran admitted he had a 5.30 start in his head, the race was due off at 5.35, and the situation was compounded after clerk of the course, Joe Collins, had sent the runners down to the start too early. SIS timed the race as being off 40 seconds after 5.30. A stewards' inquiry was immediately called.
The result stood, however, with the relevant rule allowing the stewards the discretion of either doing that or making the contest void.
The matter has been referred to the Appeals and Referrals Committee.
