Million Dollar Baby back at Galway

The horse that could have landed a £1,000,000 bonus for trainer Noel Meade two years ago returned to the winners enclosure at Galway today. Go Native was running for that £1,000,000 bonus in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in 2010 but finished down the field (with an injury) behind Binocular. Wins in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle and Christmas Hurdle at Kempton in 2009 set Meade's charge up for that bonus - if he could win the Cheltenham showpiece. Instead, there was a two and a half year lay-off and recovery required. Meade demonstrated his ability to get a good horse back on track when the now nine-year-old won at Galway today after returning to action at Navan a couple of weeks ago when third for jockey Emmett McNamara.. Go Native enjoyed an almost effortless win in the qualified riders' race over a mile and six at Galway today under Nina Carberry. Go Native cruised into the lead a furlong out and eased away to win by six and a half lengths at 5/4 favourite.