Oliver Brady held court in the parade ring after the battling performance of Balapour in the Smyths Toys Hurdle at Ballinrobe yesterday.
The Monaghan trainer, well known for his exuberant celebrations after a winner, addressed the crowd with his familiar chant of 'up Monaghan' and explained to bystanders that Martin Mooney had followed instructions to come late on the winner.
Balapour (5/4f) stayed on well from the last to run down Banasan, who heads the betting for the Galway Plate and ran a fine trial. The winner will now head for the Galway Hurdle and is due to go chasing after that.
Galway Breeze was in the right place at the right time in the John McMahon Beginners Chase as he benefited from two fallers to claim victory.
Tribal Princess fell two out to leave the Arthur Moore trained gelding in second and Anno Jubilo, who looked set for an easy win, gave David Casey no chance when blundering badly at the last.
Casey did get into the winners enclosure after the Centra Handicap Chase when The Gallantjohnjoe finished well to deny Close Orders close home.
Barry Geraghty partnered his eighth winner in the last fortnight when Barna Dream took the opening maiden hurdle.
Murrurundi proved a game winner of the mares handicap hurdle while Casadei gave up and coming jockey Denis O'Regan a fourth success of the season.
