GALWAY 18:40

Non Runners: HEREDITARY RULE (IRE), GEVREY (FR), VINA ARDANZA (IRE). Fences: 14.

Time: 5m 38.2s Closing Sectional: (4.9f): 78.8s (93.5%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 139%, Betfair SP 103.6%

Shambolic scenes at the start, with a very ragged getaway after no less than 3 false starts inconveniencing plenty, the fact this was yet another Galway Plate in which prominent-racers dominated providing a clear illustration as to why jockeys were so keen to get a good position.

ASH TREE MEADOW (FR) was strong in the betting and proved better than ever back over fences as he went 3 places better than in 2022, his young rider continuing to impress (extremely good value for claim); made all, went with plenty of zest, jumped soundly in main, jinked before fourth and 4 out when distracted by loose horse, joined briefly home turn, quickened clear again straight.

AUTHORIZED ART (FR) bounced back to his best retried in headgear after 11 weeks off; never far away, challenged from 2 out, went upsides briefly home turn, left behind by winner late on.

HOLLOW GAMES (IRE) ran well upped in trip after 3 months off and left the impression he should have finished closer still, faring by far the best of those held up in a race which suited those who raced prominently - he remains with potential at staying trips and is one to look out for in similar company; waited with, still only ninth jumping 2 out, kept on well run-in, took third close home, finished with running left.

A WAVE OF THE SEA (IRE) ran creditably back over fences; mid-division, travelled well, not fluent second, took closer order from 3 out, went fourth home turn, plugged on latter stages.

VISIONARIAN (IRE) shaped well back over fences, likely to benefit from a drop back in trip - the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham in November appeals as an obvious autumn target; handy, still close third last 2, no extra only late on (lost 2 places close home).

CIEL DE NEIGE (FR) has been unplaced on all 4 completed starts in valuable handicaps but he's shaped better than that and it wouldn't be a surprise to see him land a big pot at some stage, certainly not seen to best effect on this return from 4 months off; hampered start, patiently ridden, still only fifteenth jumping the last, late headway.

ENNISKERRY (IRE) had won on the Flat since last seen over jumps but failed to fully meet expectations, lack of stamina possibly a factor; mid-division, travelled better than most, headway when awkward 3 out, held place prospects early on run-in, no extra late on.

THE GOFFER (IRE) was a bit below form after 3 months off, the lack of a recent outing possibly a factor; missed the break, mid-division, hit ninth, in touch when bumped 3 out, one paced run-in.

HURRICANE GEORGIE (IRE) is operating below best at present, another laboured display here suggesting that headgear could be worth a try; in rear, not going well from before halfway, tailed off 2 out, merely passed beaten horses late on.

LIFETIME AMBITION (IRE) shaped as if needing the run after 4 months off; raced in touch (albeit a bit further back than planned after being slowly into stride), typically jumped soundly, went fourth 2 out, still in that position early on run-in, not sustain effort.

BORN BY THE SEA (IRE) was fit from a recent spin on the Flat but found this too competitive, finishing unplaced for the eighth time in his last 9 tries in handicap company (well-held third of 5 on other occasion); in touch, left behind from 2 out.

GABBYS CROSS (IRE) was below form after 4 months off, patient tactics and the lack of a recent outing possible excuses; dwelt start, waited with, untidy fifth, never landed a blow.

UPPING THE ANTI (IRE) lost all chance at the start, also making a bad mistake 4 out.

HEWICK (IRE) might have needed the run more than expected after 11 weeks off, though essentially looks too high in the weights after his stellar 2022/23 campaign (mark now 12 lb higher than when winning 2022 renewal); handy, still in contention between 3 out and 2 out, dropped away from 2 out.

LIEUTENANT COMMAND (FR) found this too competitive and was always behind after 3 months off.

KILCRUIT (IRE) failed to meet expectations after 11 weeks off; in touch, travelled well, still in contention when blundered 4 out, folded from 2 out, not persevered with once held.

FIGHTER ALLEN (FR) has become disappointing and made little impact in a stronger affair back over fences.

FINAL ORDERS had won on the Flat since last seen over jumps but was let down by his jumping in a valuable handicap for the second successive start in this sphere, always on the back foot anyway after a slow getaway; mid-division, lost place when bad mistake third, blundered again 5 out, no threat after.

FURY ROAD (IRE) proved easy to back and wasn't seen to best effect after 3 months off; fractious at start and soon behind after awkward getaway, still plenty to do halfway, brief headway 3 out, not persevered with once held (eased right off late).

EASY GAME (FR) has won 9 of 10 completed starts in graded/minor events since runner-up in the 2021 Galway Plate but been well held in the last 2 renewals of this race; raced wide, mid-division, not fluent 4 out, lost touch from next.

ANDY DUFRESNE (IRE) was again let down by his jumping, unseating at the first when in mid-division on his return from 3 months off.

FOXY JACKS (IRE) wasn't in the same form as last time, not helped by racing further back than planned due to the shambolic start; slowly into stride, clouted first, in contention when blundered again eighth, lost touch from early final circuit, pulled up between 3 out and 2 out.