SHANAHAN'S TURN produced a gutsy display from the front to run out a convincing winner of the thetote.com Galway Plate.
Henry de Bromhead’s charge was a relatively unfancied 16-1 chance after a couple of disappointing efforts recently, but he travelled sweetly for Johnny Burke, sharing the pacemaking duties with Baily Green.
Burke was happy to go clear after the third-last and looked to have the race sewn up after jumping the final two fences well, and though The Paparrazi Kid gave chase up the long run-in, he was still five-and-a- half-lengths behind at the line. De Bromhead’s excellent day was boosted as his Sadler’s Risk also took third, with Alderwood in fourth.
De Bromhead said: “That’s deadly. We were hoping we’d get back to our form last autumn and if he did he looked in off a good mark.
“His prep run was disappointing, but a lot of horses didn’t get into that race and obviously he’s more of a stayer. Funnily enough the one person who wasn’t disappointed then was Barry Geraghty. He was delighted and said he was good.
“I’m delighted to win this and delighted for Anne and Alan Potts. Anne is in hospital at the moment and I know that will be a real tonic for her.
“My father was just touched off in this race with Bishops Hall so it’s great to set that little record straight. It’s such a famous race so it’s great to get our name on the board.
“I always felt he was a Graded horse. He won his Grade Two, it probably wasn’t the greatest Grade Two, but he won it. Then he hit soft ground and we made a couple of mistakes with him. We know him now.
“He could go for the race Sizing Europe won the last few years at Gowran and hopefully he can develop into a Grade One horse. It was brave of Johnny to do that and let him roll. I was delighted when I saw him do it, win, lose or draw.
“The jockeys tell me what they are thinking before the race and unless I completely disagree with them I let them off as they are top riders.”
He added: “I was delighted with Sadler’s Risk. He stayed on really well and Andrew (Lynch) gave him a great ride.
“That was his first handicap and it was some run. His jumping early was a bit novicey. We’re a little tied with him as he doesn’t go left-handed so the Kerry National is out, but there are plenty more good races.”
Burke said: “That’s some feeling! It brings back fond memories of 2007 when my father (Liam) trained the winner here (Sir Frederick).
“I was claiming 5lb this time last year when I rode in the Plate and finished third and in late September I was offered this wonderful job with the Potts, which has give me the chance to ride some great horses and I’ve been very, very lucky.
“I’m very grateful to Ann and Alan Potts.”
