Bahrain Storm takes feature race in Galway
Bahrain Storm stretched away from his rivals to run out an impressive winner of the Arthur Guinness Galway Hurdle today.
Pat Flynn's six-year-old was sent off at 20-1, despite having recently struck at Cork, with Stephen Gray sending his mount into the lead soon before the turn for home.
He quickly put distance between himself and his closest pursuers, and was not hard pressed to come home well clear of 15-8 favourite Deutschland, who was on and off the bridle throughout.
Lucky Wish was third, while Northern Alliance finished fourth.
Despite being a relative outsider, Bahrain Storm was always travelling kindly under his young jockey.
Gray's decision to kick clear after jumping the second-last proved decisive.
After safely negotiating the final obstacle, he continued to increase his advantage and eventually won by six lengths.
Deutschland was sent off a heavily-backed favourite but the warning signs were out a long way from home, with Ruby Walsh having to get vigorous at the top of the hill.
To his credit, the Willie Mullins inmate stayed on for pressure to fill the runner-up spot.
Lucky Wish (25-1) ran a fine race to take the bronze medal, while Northern Alliance (7-1) was fourth under Tony McCoy.
County Waterford-based Flynn said: "This is a fantastic day for a fantastic horse - it's just brilliant.
"He was squealing before the race and everything went well.
"After he won his last race at Cork, Davy (Russell) came up to me and just said 'sheer class' - and that's what he is."
Walsh said of runner-up Deutschland: "It took him a long time to get jumping.
"He's just a chaser running over hurdles and lost half a length at every hurdle - that's eight lengths.
"He's a chaser and that's why he's 25lb lower over hurdles."
