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It was an exciting start to the 2023 Galway Festival as Mystical Power cruised to victory in the Galwaybayhotel.com and TheGalmont.com Novice Hurdle.
The first foal out of Champion Hurdler Annie Power, Mystical Power had been an easy winner of a Ballinrobe bumper at the end of May, beating his nearest rival by nearly three lengths. Although the four-year-old did not produce the neatest round of jumping, he was much the best in the competitive Galway opener, taking the lead as the field approached the last flight and drawing clear to win by seven lengths under Mark Walsh.
Trainer Willie Mullins said: "That was a huge performance compared to his bumper performance. He likes jumping but there is a lot of improvement to come as he made at least three mistakes.
"Like his mother [who won on debut at Galway], he's won here on his second run and hopefully he'll be half as good as her.
"I'll continue hurdling with him now. I don't want to go back to the flat – I may do that next year with him. He looks like a horse that we might aim at the Royal Bond or something like that."
Favourite backers had plenty to smile about with Neveradullmoment, Mythology and Teed Up justifying market support in the second, third and fourth race.
The victory of Teed Up in the Connacht Hotel Qualified Riders' Handicap marked a first Flat success for 7lb claimer Ray Barron, on his first ride for trainer Emmet Mullins. Teed Up took the lead with two furlongs to run and held off the challenge of The Very Man in the closing stages.
After the race, delighted jockey Ray Barron said: "It's my first ride in this race. I'd no ride in it all week and Emmet rang me on Friday. It was like Christmas getting the call.
"He broke well and travelled very smoothly throughout the race. I was nearly there too soon turning in but he was going so well that I kind of had to kick on. He got to the front too soon but he was tough and was very game all the way to the line.
"Around Galway, riding for Emmet and the Mee family, you always have a chance and it's nice that I could deliver for them today."
Joseph O'Brien's Mythology had been heavily backed following his second behind Henry Longfellow over Irish Oaks weekend. The Starspangledbanner colt appeared to improve for the step up to seven furlongs despite being well-beaten by Aidan O'Brien's smart charge, finishing comfortably clear of the third-placed horse. Jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle sat Mythology prominently in the early stages and was able to take the lead at the one furlong marker, despite finding himself short of room with two furlongs to run. Sea The Polaris stayed on to finish two-and-quarter lengths back in second.
My Great Mate completed a double for trainer Willie Mullins in the Monami Construction INH Flat Race, overturning the favourite Arctic Gale. The four-year-old was heavily supported on debut at Killarney but was unable to make an impression in the closing stages and had to be ridden from three furlongs out by Patrick Mullins. The gelding appeared to have learnt plenty for the Killarney run, sitting prominently before taking a clear lead with one furlong to go. He stayed on well to record a one-and-a-quarter length success ahead of Arctic Gale with Topgun Simmy a further head back in third.