Limerick racing connections enjoy a successful Galway Races Summer Festival

PADDY Harnett rode his first Galway winner and his fourth winner in a little over two weeks when partnering Donnacha O'Brien’s 11/2 chance Kilmeaden to a battling success in the 12-furlong handicap on Monday.

The three-year-old raced prominently and dug deep to hold Joseph O'Brien’s 2/1 favourite Starford, the mount of Chris Hayes, by a neck.

Charles Byrnes and son Philip combined to win the two and three-quarter-mile Guinness Galway Blazers Handicap Chase with the 11-year-old Turnpike Trip on Friday. Owned by Peter Acheson, the 20/1 shot was headed at the final fence but he battled back well to beat Gavin Cromwell’s 11/2 chance Antrim Coast by a length and a half.

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Wesley Joyce won the seven-furlong handicap on the Michael Mulvany-trained Storm Averted at Galway on Saturday. A 7/1 chance, ridden by the No Chance Syndicate, raced clear inside the final furlong to score by an easy three and a half lengths from the Pat Magee-trained 20/1 chance Goldrush Kid, ridden by Jack Kearney.

Dermot Weld saddled the Chris Hayes-ridden Tilani to win the eight-furlong handicap on the final day of the Galway Festival on Sunday. The 100/30 favourite, owned by Michael Watt, was soon on the heels of the leaders and he led inside the final furlong to beat 12/1 shot Flying Fortress, ridden for Gavin Cromwell by Gary Carroll, by half a length.

Upcoming Fixtures

Wexford – Wednesday, August 6 (First race 5pm)

Sligo – Wednesday, August 6 (First race 4.50pm)

Sligo – Thursday, August 7 (First race 5.05pm)

Leopardstown – Thursday, August 7 (First race 5.20pm)

Wexford – Friday, August 8 (First race 5.28pm)

Tipperary – Friday, August 8 (First race 4.40pm)

Curragh – Saturday, August 9 (First race 1.45pm)

Kilbeggan – Saturday, August 9 (First race 5.27pm)

Downpatrick – Sunday, August 10 (First race 2.17pm)