Galway glory on a plate for Nicholls and Walsh

Jump racing’s dream team combined to good effect once again as well-backed favourite Oslot landed the William Hill Galway Plate.

The Paul Nicholls-trained 11-4 chance travelled strongly throughout in behind the leaders and cruised to the lead three fences from home under Ruby Walsh.

The six-year-old was still moving within himself jumping the last but had to be fully extended by Walsh on the run-in to repel the challenge of 14-1 shot Oodachee by four lengths.

Two-time Plate winner Ansar (11-1) stayed on from off the pace to finish third, with Brave Right (8-1) back in fourth.

Nicholls said: “We had planned this race for some time and it has worked out well. He jumped well and travelled well, today was his Gold Cup.

“It is a massive prize and we will give him a nice break now.”

Walsh added: “My biggest worry was I might be in front too soon after the third-last. He travelled brilliantly.

“He pinged the second-last and jumped out of my hands at the last. He probably got a bit lonely on the run-in but he stayed on well.”

Dermot Weld’s week continued to get better as Directa King gave him his seventh winner at this year’s meeting with a bloodless success in the William Hill 1800 333 555 Handicap.

Those who took the 3-1 before the off will have been counting their winnings from an early stage, with the four-year-old bounding clear well before the turn for home.

From that moment the result was in little doubt and he passed the post 17 lengths clear of Cloone River.

Weld said: “Today was the day and we’re going to have to move him into a higher grade after this.

“We’ll see what the handicapper does. Originally I thought he could be a nice horse for a good English handicap but that plan has gone now.

“He was bought to be a dual purpose horse and he may go hurdling later this year. This is his ground.”

Clover Pearl notched her first win in almost two years with a decisive victory in the Williamhill.ie Handicap Hurdle under Paddy Flood.

The Michael Cullen-trained nine-year-old was always close to the pace in the two-and-a-half-mile contest and tracked Ah Ya Boy Ya into the home straight.

The 9-1 shot sealed victory with a fine leap at the last and she ran away on the flat to score by a comfortable three lengths.

“She’s in the two-mile-five-furlong handicap hurdle on Saturday and if she’s OK she might run,” said Cullen.

“She won here before at the September meeting and seems to like the track.”

Jessica Harrington notched her first winner of the 2008 festival as Desert Abbey battled to victory in the William Hill In Ireland Novice Hurdle.

The 7-1 chance, a winner at Limerick less than a week ago, was settled towards the rear in the early stages by Andrew Leigh but moved up to take much closer order turning for home.

It looked as though she would have to settle for minor honours when hot favourite Go Native came there on the bridle before the final flight, but he did not find as much as anticipated and Desert Abbey showed much more resolution to secure a length success.

Afasheen was a further five lengths back to give Harrington one-three.

Harrington said: “I’m delighted with both fillies, the third may have just needed it – she blew up but ran on – while the winner is getting more confident and getting back to what she was 18 months ago.

“She is jumping well and doing everything right. She seems to be getting stronger, which is helping her cope with the slower ground.

“The plan is to try and get a bit of black type for both fillies.”