Banna makes the headlines at Galway

Banna Man proved the value of course and distance form at Galway as he took the feature Connacht Tribune Handicap Chase on the final day of the week-long festival.

Fourth earlier in the week over hurdles, Thomond O’Mara’s 10-year-old was 6lb out of the handicap – but knows his way around the Ballybrit venue after a win here two years ago, and was given a super ride by 7lb claimer Bryan Cooper.

It looked at one stage as if he would win with ease after the last, but in the end he had to be kept up to his work for a two-length success over Arkendale.

O’Mara said: “He won here on this day two years ago. He was thrown in here off a nice weight.

“He ran well here on Monday evening over hurdles and we decided to take our chance. I thought the ground might have a been a shade quick.

“I’m delighted he won a big pot and Bryan was good on him. It’s his first time riding for me.”

Henry de Bromhead has another nice prospect for the bigger obstacles after Kilmurry (9-2) ran right away with the Galway Bay FM Beginners Chase.

Andrew Lynch barely had an anxious moment, leading three out and coming 12 lengths clear of Wise Old Owl.

“He was always going to be a chaser so that’s why we decided to kick on with him, even though he is only a five-year-old,” said the winning trainer.

“There is a two-and-a-half-mile novice chase at Tipperary in October that springs to mind for him.”