Sionnach Eile turns on the style in Galway handicap

Sionnach Eile turned the featured mile and a half Guinness Handicap into a procession under a positive ride from Gary Carroll at Galway on Friday evening.

A 12lb hike for a previous success at Ballinrobe was no detriment to the lightly-raced Joseph Murphy-trained five-year-old, who was sent off a 9-1 chance.

Up with the early pace before being reigned back, Carroll made his move with three furlongs to run, before scooting clear off the final bend to beat Dame Rapide by six-and-a-half lengths.

Baby Zeus made late gains in third, with Laelaps taking minor honours in fourth.

A half-brother to Galway Hurdle winner Swamp Fox, his trainer is hopeful he will progress further.

Murphy said: "I would have preferred to run him off 82 (his recent Ballinrobe- winning mark) but one of the 82s didn't get a run today.

"I thought the handicapper was wrong, but I'd have to say he was right, this time.

"He is in the Cesarewitch and we have a little question about him getting the two miles but, after that performance, I think he'll get it.

"He will jump hurdles down the road and maybe in two years' time he could run in the Galway Hurdle."

Gabbys Cross and jockey Rachael Blackmore (above) stayed on stoutly to take a valuable renewal of the Guinness Galway Blazers Handicap Chase.

The Henry de Bromhead-trained seven-year-old was having just a sixth start over fences, and was ridden patiently by Blackmore, who made her move approaching the last two fences in the extended two and three-quarter-mile contest.

Having jumped upsides Russian Diamond and Busselton, who had both helped set the pace, the 22-1 chance instantly put daylight between those rivals after the last and stuck on stoutly to score by two-and-a-quarter lengths.

Busselton, sent off the 7-2