Berry shines with Express delivery
Fran Berry produced a riding masterclass to land the Low Low Handicap, the big race on the penultimate day of the Galway festival, on Toufan Express.
Sat coolly towards the rear for long periods of the seven-furlong event on the 9-1 chance, Berry still had more behind him than in front with a furlong or so to run.
But he moved up smoothly on the wide outside and produced his mount to swoop close home for a half-length call over the gallant Ask Jack, a winner here on Tuesday.
Winning trainer Adrian McGuinness said: “I was afraid the ground would be a bit lively for him.
“Fran said he was not liking it early on, but as he started going past horses he enjoyed it.
“He won a Premier handicap at the Curragh last year and I felt he was capable of winning another big pot.
“He’s in again at Leopardstown on Thursday, so we’ll see how he comes out of this.”
Silverhand (8-1) carried the green and gold colours of JP McManus to further big-race success at the Ballybrit venue with victory in the Freshways Handicap Hurdle.
Tim Carroll, looking great value for his 7lb claim, made a decisive move rounding the final turn on the Noel Meade-trained six-year-old, who jumped the last well and ran on strongly to hold Red Vinto by two and a half lengths.
Meade said: “He loves that good ground and stays well as he gets two miles on the Flat.
“We decided to use Tim and take some weight off as he’s quite small.
“He had a break in Martinstown after the Punchestown Festival and something like the Coral Cup would be a long-term target.”
Hope Of An Angel was sent off the outsider of six runners for the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Nursery Handicap – but that did not stop her landing the spoils by half a length from Act Of Love.
Striking the front inside the final furlong, the 12-1 chance survived a stewards’ inquiry into possible interference with third home, Suntan.
Winning trainer Niall Moran said: “She did it well. I was afraid of Suntan but he needed to be a fair horse to give us plenty of weight.
“She has plenty of pace, but tends to hit a flat spot in races. We’ll go for a winners race now at Sligo.”
