GALWAY 17:05

Non Runners: HEARTS ARE TRUMPS (IRE), RICH BELIEF, PARTY CENTRAL (IRE). Hurdles: 8.

Time: 3m 36.1s Closing Sectional: (5.25f): 70.8s (99.8%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 139%, Betfair SP 101.9%

A number of second-season hurdlers with better days apparently ahead took their chance but, with few landing a blow, it was one of the clutch of older faces - the oldest of the lot, in fact, aged 10 - who proved up to the task to set Galway Hurdle history by becoming the first dual winner some 3 years on from his first success in the race.

TUDOR CITY (IRE) had maintained his good form by finishing placed on the Flat since Punchestown but this was something else, setting a couple of Galway Hurdle landmarks as the first repeat winner and the first older than 9 to land the prize on his fourth appearance in the race, all under a conditional who hadn't even had a ride previously this season; waited with as usual but not dropped out so far as sometimes, including in the 2021 version, he made smooth headway from 2 out, angled for a clear run entering the straight and quickened well to lead approaching the final 100 yds, holding on ridden out.

JESSE EVANS (IRE) mirrored a recent second on the Flat on this far bigger stage, going 2 positions better than in 2021 but finding an even more familiar Galway Hurdle face - who'd been a place behind the year before - too strong, the pair having it between them on the run-in; tracked pace, led entering straight, headed approaching final 100 yds, rallied.

PRAIRIE DANCER (IRE) took only a couple of days in getting back on track, sneaking in as first reserve and making a better fist of things than in the Fred Winter on his only previous appearance in a handicap, surely a personal best as he thrashed the other 4-y-os who took their chance; soon led, headed when not fluent fifth, led again before 2 out, kicked on soon after, headed entering straight, held flat.

GLAN (IRE) returned to form after 10 weeks off, deserving extra credit under the kind of waiting tactics seldom rewarded around here; held up, still plenty to do after 3 out, good progress on inner home turn, stayed on well inside latter stages, never nearer, best of those held up.

HEIA (FR) ran at least as well in defeat as when winning the time before, asked a bigger question returned to such a competitive handicap from a mark 7 lb higher than when last seen in one; mid-division, had to wait for gap before 2 out, kept on gradually straight.

SANTA ROSSA (IRE) seemingly had few excuses for failing to go closer to defying a lofty opening mark; tracked pace, ridden 2 out, no extra flat.

AUTUMN EVENING fit from the Flat, ran as well as could be expected under the circumstances, not seen to best effect; dropped out, well off pace still 2 out, late headway, no threat, left poorly placed.

EMBITTERED (IRE) confirmed his return to better form back over hurdles after 9 weeks off, probably just that bit better over fences these days; handy, lost ground briefly fifth, outpaced 3 out, held when baulked crossing last.

ANNA BUNINA (FR) had won 3 of her last 5 starts but found this a step too far from a mark that had suffered; waited with, pushed along from 3 out, made little impression.

FAROUT (IRE) possibly found the race coming too soon, having tired into seventh in a staying handicap on the Flat here on the opening evening; mid-division, in touch when pushed along 2 out, effort flattened out.

THE VERY MAN (IRE) was ridden to make use of his stamina back down markedly in trip but overdid things retried in headgear after 3 months off; led early, remained prominent, jumped on again fifth, headed again before 2 out, weakened.

MY MATE MOZZIE (IRE) disappointed in first-time cheekpieces after 8 weeks off but isn't one to write off yet, reverting to patient tactics a puzzling move (early hurdling wins - plus one of Flat placings during the spring - when ridden positively); held up, shaken up 3 out, no response before next.

ADAMANTLY CHOSEN (IRE) failed to justify his position as the shortest-priced Galway Hurdle favourite since stablemate Max Dynamite in 2017 on his first run since hitting the frame - and shaping well - at Punchestown, presumably just having an off-day; settled mid-field out wide, in touch before 3 out, weakened approaching next.

BALLYADAM (IRE) might have needed the run after 4 months off; patiently ridden, some headway out wide between 3 out and 2 out, effort proved short-lived.

THE TIDE TURNS failed by some way to come on for a recent run, connections reaching for cheekpieces; mid-division, lost ground early final circuit, never going well from 4 out, tailed off.

TOP BANDIT was still in rear under a change of tactics when falling heavily 4 out after 4 months off.

VINA ARDANZA (IRE) ran poorly after 3 months off; went with little fluency, always behind.

FELIX DESJY (FR) jumped slowly at times and was still well behind when brought down 4 out.

CELESTIAL HORIZON (IRE) ran even worse in first-time cheekpieces, leaving him with something to prove; raced well off the pace, never going well, tailed off when eased on landing 3 out.

SHEWEARSITWELL (IRE) followed a below-par effort with an even worse one; tracked pace until 3 out, faltered quickly, possibly amiss.