Balko Des Flos cruises to victory for Russell and De Bromhead

It was a third win in the race for owners Gigginstown House Stud, following Road To Riches in 2014 and Lord Scoundrel a year ago, and a second for trainer Henry de Bromhead, who was successful with Shanahan's Turn two years ago.

Sent off 6-1 second favourite, Balko Des Flos jumped to the front two out, where the heavily supported 3-1 favourite Shaneshill blundered when beginning his effort.

Shaneshill rallied in the straight but was never going to peg back the winner.

De Bromhead said: "Balko Des Flos did it very well and got a super ride from Davy. The race had been the plan since he ran third at the Punchestown festival in April.

"After that race Eddie O'Leary [of Gigginstown] suggested the Plate might be the race for the horse.

"It seemed a good idea at the time and it was. He handled the better ground well for a horse whose only previous chase win was on testing ground."

Henry de Bromhead gives Balko Des Flos a pat following his six-year-old's victory in the Galway PlateCredit: Patrick McCann

Regarding plans for the six-year-old, who joined De Bromhead last season after the Gigginstown split with Willie Mullins, the winning trainer said: "It looks as if he is adaptable in terms of ground so I'll talk things over with the owners and see what they want to do. We'll see if we'll step him up to the next level."

Russell said: "I got a lovely position and he jumped great, very economical. I got there early enough but I got two flyers in the dip and it's hard to give them away when you get them.

"The one thing I asked Davy Roche [the trainer's head lad] this morning was would he stay and he said he'll stay no problem, and that's why I kept going.

“He was a bit keen and the more I pulled out of him the keener he got, so I decided there is not much point the two of us pulling, so I just let the reins down on his neck and he settled down the back. I was happy.”

Russell, who used to be Gigginstown's retained jockey, added: "First, it's brilliant to ride a Galway Plate winner, and in the Gigginstown colours it's marvellous.

"We've had great days together. Today is another great day and I just hope there will be more. I have loads of other owners that I ride for as well. It was just nice to have a good ride in the race.

"I needed this and there's a couple more races I'd like to win twice as well!"

Russell added: "I leave it to Kevin O'Ryan, my agent. Anybody that rings looking for me, I point to him. He got me on this horse. When I saw the entries I was saying, 'God, I'd love to ride him', and then he became available."

Davy Russell, alongside Eddie O'Leary, is delighted to ride another big-race winner for GigginstownCredit: Patrick McCann

Ruby Walsh said of Shaneshill: “You have to jump and my fellow missed the second last. But he gave his all and came back well in the straight.

"It was a very good run for a horse who hadn't run over fences since March 2016 and who was having only his fifth race over fences."

The Joseph O'Brien-trained five-year-old Slowmotion was three-quarters of a length back in third with Gigginstown's A Toi Phil - ridden by Bryan Cooper, who had lost his job as the owner's number-one rider only last week - three-quarters of a length away in fourth.

Galway Plate result