Toufan Express asserts from the favourite Ask Frank at Galway

  PICTURE: Patrick McCann/racingpostpix.com 

Plan executed as Toufan clinches big handicap

Report: Galway, Saturday

Low Low Handicap (Premier Handicap) 7f, 3yo+

TOUFAN EXPRESS was a gutsy winner of this valuable handicap to realise a long-term plan for trainerAdrian McGuinness.

For much of the way it looked as if top-weight Ask Frank would reward favourite backers and the six-year-old took it up rounding the home turn as his jockey Chris Hayes kicked for home.

However, the combination were caught well inside the final furlong by Toufan Express, who had made stealthy progress under Fran Berry from the rear on the outside and knuckled down well. Douze Points stayed on well for third.

It was the second winner of the meeting for McGuinness, who was on the mark with Beau Michel in a novice chase on Thursday.

The trainer said: "Today has been the plan all year. I thought the groundmight be too lively, but he travelled really well.

"I was afraid Fran had given him too much to do, but he was brilliant on him and this was a big win for us.

"He might go to Leopardstown next Thursday."

Broad Meaning was bidding to give Dermot Weld an eleventh winner of the meeting. However, after racing prominently he weakened rounding the home turn.

Silverhand and Tim Carroll land the feature handicap hurdle at Galway

  PICTURE: Patrick McCann/racingpostpix.com 

Also on Saturday:

Freshways Handicap Hurdle 2m6f, 4yo+

THE JP McManus-owned Silverhand ran out an impressive winner of this competitive handicap to give trainer Noel Meade his first winner of this year's Galway Festival. It was also the first winner of the week for his jockey, 7lb claimer Tim Carroll.

Conclave soon established a clear lead in the €50,000 contest, but the writing was on the wall for that one after a serious blunder three-quarters of the way through the race.

At one stage it looked as if King Of Redfield, narrowly edged out by a neck at the track on Wednesday, would gain some compensation for connections. However, having disputed the lead two out with eventual second Red Vinto, he weakened into third. In the meantime Silverhand and Carroll were waiting to pounce, and as soon as he hit the front approaching the last, the race was never in doubt.

Meade said: "A break has done him no harm. He was down in Martinstown and he loves the good ground.

"He's not very big so top weight isn't ideal, but Tim gave him a great ride.

"I'm not sure where we go with him now, but he'll probably return to the Flat.

"Our horses were slightly out of sorts in March and April, and this fellow fell at the Punchestown Festival."