By Dan Walsh
The Galway Plate is one of the legendary steeplechases first run in 1869 and the 2022 renewal was won this evening on day three of the Galway racing festival by Hewick (16/1) ridden by 21 years old Wexford jockey Jordan Gainford.
Always travelling well and fighting off the presence of a loose horse in the closing stages Gainford held on confidently by half a length much to the delight of Bagenalstown trainer John ‘Shark’ Hanlon.
Gainford from Caim, Enniscorthy, enjoyed a big race success in the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown in April on Hewick (16/1) and recorded a big race victory on The Shunter at the Cheltenham Festival in March.
Gainford was successful on the point-to-point circuit when with Colin Bowe at Kiltealy before turning professional during Covid 19 and is associated with the Gordon Elliott stables. Actually, he rode the first winner of the Galway festival on Monday evening for Elliott on Royal Eagle (18/1) in a novice hurdle.
Jordan Gainford will be aboard Vina Ardanza, at overnight odds of around 18/1, for Gordon Elliott in tomorrow’s big race – the Galway Hurdle – and he faces the challenge in top form.
There was another Wexford winner at Galway this evening. Outback Flyer (11/1), home-bred by owner Jonathan Deacon, Clonmore House, Bree, and a winner at Wexford in April, won the mares handicap hurdle.
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