An emotional Gordon Elliott exclaimed “we’re back” as his charge, Galvin finished on top in another pulsating running of the Savills Chase.
After the final obstacle, it looked to all like we were in store for a repeat of the 2020 running as last years winner A Plus Tard battled to the line with Kemboy. But with Davy Russell in the saddle, Galvin came on strong after the last and got the nose in front just in time to claim the victory.
In the other Grade 1 of the day, the Dornan Engineering Christmas Hurdle, a scintillating lead run from start to finish led the Willie Mullins trained Klassical Dream to success from last years winner Flooring Porter in second.
The rest of the field tried to gain ground with the front two, as Klassical Dream seemed to take a breather mid-way through the race, but as they rounded the last, there was only two in contention, with Klassical Dream, the clear winner.
Mullins was also mightily impressed with his newest chaser Galopin Des Champs who won the Ballymaloe Relish Beginners Chase in emphatic style with his jockey on the day, Paul Townend describing him as “Effortless”.
Tomorrow’s a big one with the final day of racing seeing Sharjah poised for a history-making run at Leopardstown.
Charlie Carter in the winner’s circle
Former Kilkenny Senior Hurler Charlie Carter enjoyed success on the opening race of Day 3 of the Leopardstown Christmas Festival when his horse Howyabud won the Savills Maiden Hurdle.
Howyabud, who is owned & bred by the All-Ireland senior medal winner with Kilkenny, raced clear after the final hurdle to run out a ran out a very impressive six-length winner at 25/1, as he defeated the Willie Mullins trained Horantzau D’airy who went off 11/10 favourite.
It was the first success for Wexford native Mary Ellen Doyle, the trainer of the winning horse who got her training license last March.
Additional reporting Michael O’Leary
