Funky Dady sets up Galway bid with smart success for Mulcahy and Hogan

Conditional Shane Mulcahy continued his fruitful association with useful handicapper Funky Dady as they recorded their third victory in the 2m3f handicap chase for trainer Denis Hogan.

Sent off at 13-2, the winner of last season's valuable Connolly's Red Mills Irish EBF Auction Hurdle Series Final stretched four and a half lengths clear to potentially book his ticket for the Galway festival.

"He's a game horse who stays galloping," the 22-year-old rider, who claims 7lb, told Racing TV. "He's always bringing in prize-money and never seems to run a bad race for me. He's always been consistent. He quickly found his rhythm and put in a great round of jumping.

"Denis said in the week that Galway could be on the cards if he's sound and well after today – it will obviously be left up to Denis."

Fitzgerald registers first treble

I'm Not Alone: contributed to a treble for claimer Shane FitzgeraldCredit: David Keane (racingpost.com/photos)

It was a memorable day for another 7lb claimer, Shane Fitzgerald, who recorded the first treble of his career at a remarkable 1,436-1.

The Val O'Brien-trained Avec Espoir provided the opening leg when winning at the 19th attempt by 19 lengths and the jockey followed up aboard I'm Not Alone, who struck at 16-1 for Conor O'Dwyer.

Forged In Fire, sent off at 11-2 for Joseph O'Brien, completed the treble as he successfully switched to fences for the first time.

Results and analysis

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