Galway Hurdle first for JP as Thomas Edison lights up Ballybrit
This shaped as a race that was going to be desperately difficult to solve, but Thomas Edison breezed through the contest to score with plenty in hand.
Tony McCoy did the driving and this was a second Galway Hurdle for him. He won on Toasted Spreece, trained by Aidan O’Brien, in 1997.
Thomas Edison had previously only ever won once over flights — a maiden at Bellewstown — but was all the rage in the market and went off the 7-2 favourite.
Those who plunged knew exactly what they were doing and, truth to tell, the layers never had a chance.
McCoy rode him down the inside early on, but had long moved off the rail when the war began to rage.
Heading to the home turn, Thomas Edison was pulling the proverbial train, took a narrow lead just before the last and then swept away on the flat to beat the Gigginstown pair, Bayan and The Game Changer.
Afterwards, McCoy admitted to being less than optimistic. Said McCoy: “In my heart of hearts I didn’t fancy him, but (Tony) Martin knew more than the rest of us. From what he had achieved over hurdles, I have to say I wasn’t really fancying him.
“He travelled well and the ground was a help. The fact he had won on the flat (of late) was also a help.
“You need a horse for these big handicaps with a bit of class. Everything went the way you would like it. This is nice, he was very professional.”
Martin, who had a dream meeting a year ago with eight winners, won’t get near that figure this time around, but is still enjoying an excellent week.
He won the featured flat race on Monday night with Quick Jack and Greatness took a handicap hurdle for him on Wednesday.
“This is brilliant”, exclaimed Martin “He was do disappointing at Punchestown (festival), but Mr McManus said he will do for the Galway Hurdle.
“The horse was the cause of a lot of his own bad luck, was too free and keen, but is learning to settle.
“J P is a fantastic, patient owner and it is great he owns one that I have always thought the world of.
“When I initially tried to put others into the horse they didn’t want to know, but I have always had faith in him.
“He didn’t need a race over the last three weeks, you could see he was cherry-ripe. We will wait until next Monday or Tuesday before making a plan.”
