'Days like this are what you dream of' - Danny Gilligan and Gordon Elliott team up for more Galway Plate gold with Western Fold

Western Fold crowned his impressive ascent up the chasing ranks by delivering one of the most dominant weight-carrying performances in a Tote Galway Plate over the past thirty years to score by nearly five lengths under Danny Gilligan. 

For the Galway-born jockey, this constituted a second glorious victory in the €270,000 showpiece at just 19 years of age. He first won it as a 7lb claimer in 2023 on Ash Tree Meadow, and he also finished second last year on Duffle Coat. Once again, it was those horses' trainer Gordon Elliott who worked his magic this time.

A maestro with staying chasers, Elliott saddled seven in this, including the well-fancied Down Memory Lane, whose challenge ultimately petered out tamely, as did that of the favourite Nurburgring.

However, it was the six-year-old Western Fold who emerged from a prominent position to triumph. 

Elliott's fifth Plate winner struggled to get his head in front after winning a novice hurdle at Down Royal in January of last year, but he got off the mark at the sixth attempt over fences at Tipperary in May and then followed up in the Mayo National at Ballinrobe.

For Gilligan in particular, though, it was another poignant success. The son of trainer Paul, whose Buddy One finished sixth here, he bagged two Cheltenham Festival wins last March and is going a long way to proving himself a worthy deputy to Jack Kennedy. 

"I really can't believe it to be honest," he said. "When I won it two years ago I thought that'd be me, but to come back and finish second in it last year and win it this year is unbelievable. I'm lost for words. Days like this are what you dream of.

"Ever since I can remember I'm coming here and even to be riding in these races is a massive privilege. I can't thank Gordon and his owners enough for giving me the chances. I'm just delighted when it works out." 

It was a second Galway Plate in two years for Danny GilliganCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Twelve months on from a Galway Hurdle that was marred by a deeply unsatisfactory start, there was more of the same here, with Senecia, Zenta and Three Card Brag among those who appeared to be disadvantaged when they were let go by starter Paddy Graffin after an initial false start. Three Card Brag's rider Jack Kennedy duly reported "the start was a joke".

Western Fold got away on good terms, as did Jesse Evans, who once again bumped his head into one up the Ballybrit hill. Twice a runner-up in the Galway Hurdle, Noel Meade's charge just couldn't live with the winner en route to filling the same berth here.

"Ah, sure what can you say? He's run a super race," said a phlegmatic Meade. "He absolutely winged fences the whole way around. Dara [McGill] gave him a peach of a ride and he waited for as long as he could."

The Galway Plate field pass the standsCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

There was no shame in coming second best. To the winner's credit, this was a performance of some calibre following a 10lb hike in the ratings. In lumping 11st 10lb to glory, he carried more weight than any other winner of the race since Ansar won with 11st 11lb 20 years earlier, and Life Of A Lord's heroics under 12st in 1996 was the best before that.

"He's a right horse," said Elliott, who also saddled the third home, Shecouldbeanything. "[Agent] Bobby O'Ryan bought him for David [L'Estrange] and John [Wright] and the boys have been very patient with him as he was a bit backwards when he was young. This race has been the plan for a while so I'm delighted the lads are here." 

"Danny got away at the start, the horse jumped like a buck. It was like poetry in motion. I'd say the ground is key, he likes a bit of nice ground." 

He added: "My dad is in hospital and he'll enjoy watching this, hopefully it'll cheer him up."

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