Zarak The Brave lives up to his name in Galway Hurdle

The four-year-old got the better of Jesse Evans at Ballybrit

GREEN FOR GO: Zarak The Brave and Paul Townend (green silks) win the Guinness Galway Hurdle. Picture: Healy Racing 

History has taught us that four-years-olds struggle to win the Guinness Galway Hurdle but the well-named Zarak The Brave defied the odds and bridged a gap of 23 years since the last successful juvenile by taking a pulsating renewal of the race for Willie Mullins, Paul Townend, and owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede.

Townend was keen to have the improving youngster in a handy position from the outset and was aided by stablemate Cash Back ensuring an honest pace. He travelled nicely just off the pace, and jumped to the front, going extremely well, at the second-last.