Ballyadam Brook excels in Galway
Ballyadam Brook completed a hat-trick with a clear-cut success in the Tote Placepot Races 1 To 6 Novice Hurdle at Galway today.
The six-year-old, a winner at Sligo and Killarney, tracked the pace-setting Regal D'Estruval before going on after the penultimate flight.
Terence O'Brien's charge powered clear under Paul Townend to beat his fellow 2-1 joint-favourite Final Day by three and a half lengths, with Regal D'Estruval third.
O'Brien said: "I'm absolutely delighted. We always thought he would improve when we started out the year.
"He ran in three point-to-points last year and hardly finished so he had a very unusual operation on his nostrils. We were hoping he might win a handicap.
"He started running with more promise than we thought. he's just kept on improving and today's performance was outstanding.
"He didn't really jump great but ran to the line."
Novel Investment (10-1) proved a shrewd bet in the Tote Telebet 1850 238 669 Handicap Hurdle.
Tom Doyle brought the John Brassil-trained gelding to take the lead two out where he stole a few lengths out of the field.
Kept up his work, the winner had three and a half lengths in hand of the 13-2 favourite Mr Bones at the line.
"We were very hopeful today. At Limerick he was unlucky and I knew he would love the hill. We train him on a hill so I thought it might come easy to him," said Brassil.
"Tom gave him a super ride and kept him out of trouble and crept away on him."
Hoopy (8-1) gave trainer Gordon Elliott a first victory at the Galway Festival when holding off King Of Redfield and surviving a stewards' inquiry in the Tote Jackpot Races 3 To 6 Handicap Hurdle.
There was nothing between the pair on the frantic run to the line and there did appear to be contact between the two principals in the dying strides, with Paul Carberry's mount getting the verdict by a neck.
Connections of Hoopy had to endure an anxious wait before the result was confirmed.
"Being a Galway man and being a local here, it's wonderful," said owner John Earls.
"I had a winner in Perth on Tuesday as well."
Dermot Weld saddled his seventh winner at the meeting when Endless Intrigue coasted to victory in the www.thetote.com Maiden.
Twice successful in bumpers, the six-year-old had no difficulty in taking this prize.
Pushed into the lead over two furlongs out by Robbie McNamara, the 11-8 favourite quickly stamped his authority and bolted up by eight lengths from Pozyc.
"He did it very nicely. Robbie was, as usual, in the right place at the right time and he made it easy," said Weld.
"Everything is going well, the horses are running well and we have a good team here."
