De Bromhead secures first winner of the week after Annie G romps home

A quick snapshot of Henry de Bromhead's standing in Irish racing could be seen on the trainer's Twitter account on the morning of Galway Plate day when he shared an image of his tack room and 16 freshly oiled bridles ready for the road.

Only one was needed to land the €30,000 Tote+ Placepot Pays More Novice Hurdle, with Annie G running out an impressive winner under Darragh O'Keeffe to get the yard up and running for the week.

Henry de Bromhead: 'He looked laboured, didn't he?'Credit: Edward Whitaker

De Bromhead said: "She was really good and is a lovely mare who is progressing all the time. Darragh was really good on her. I didn't think he was going fast enough early on and next thing they were all struggling behind her – he was brilliant. She doesn't have to go from the front but it suits us in a novice hurdle."

He added: "She didn't jump so well and that was a bit disappointing. Darragh said she was on her wrong lead all the time. We had a suspicion she was better left-handed than right-handed but we got away with it and there are plenty of nice left-handed tracks."

Nodoubtaboutthat runs out an emotional winner

Nodoubtaboutthat ran out an emotional winner of the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Handicap Hurdle for trainer Shane Crawley and young rider Tom Kelly.

Owned by the Who What Why Syndicate, who could not be in attendance due to a family bereavement, Nodoubtaboutthat provided the team with a much-needed lift.

Crawley said: "The syndicate aren't here today as one of the members, Michael Griffin, buried his mother Mae this morning.

Nodoubtaboutthat (right): clears a hurdle en route to winning the opener at GalwayCredit: Patrick McCann

"They saw her work last week and said 'let her run, it'll be all for luck', so it was a very special win and it's an emotional day for all of them."

He added: "She had great form this season and was unlucky at times. I was stuck for a rider and Garry Cribbin [jockeys' agent] said this lad could ride and is great value for 7lb.

"She came out of her Cork run really well and it worked out. I've only ever had one runner at the festival and that's my first winner."

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