Big race win on the flat for Noel Meade

Castletown trainer Noel Meade (pictured) opened his Galway account in fine style yesterday when he landed the Guinness Handicap when Curley Bill swooped late to land the €66,000 first prize from the fast-finishing Gordon Elliott-trained Bayan.

The victory also completed a double for jockey Fran Berry.

Owned by Philip Reynolds, son of former Taoiseach Albert Reynolds, Curley Bill is scheduled to re-appear at Ballybrit in a hurdle race on Sunday.

Tony Martin trained his sixth winner of the week at Galway on Friday evening when Woodsophiesmile won a handicap.

 FIGURES

The attendance for Friday was 23,555, up from 20,368 in 2012.

The Tote aggregate was €686,058.00,  up substantially from €590,770 in 2012.

GOODWOOD

At Goodwood yesterday, Johnny Murtagh won the opening race with Forgotten Voice for trainer Nicky henderson.

Galway Topaz handicap winner Brendan Brackan ran in the Betfred Mile with Trim jockey Colm Keane on board again, but ran out of fuel in the closing stages on this occasion. 

Conall Collier