Moon Dice recorded an impressive four and a half-length victory over Fosters Cross to land Ireland’s most valuable jumps race, the Guinness Galway Handicap Hurdle.

Fosters Cross made a brave bid to make all of the running, with all of his rivals struggling to reel him in – except for the Paul Flynn-trained Moon Dice (20-1).

The six-year-old jumped into the lead at the final flight and galloped on strongly to win by four and half lengths in the hands of Tom Doyle. Dirar (7-1) was third, and the 3-1 favourite The Real Article fourth.

Winner of the feature two-mile Flat handicap on Monday, Fosters Cross got a flying start, but he was followed all the way round by Moon Dice. Very few horses got into the race as the first two never looked like stopping.

Hidden Universe and Son Amix headed the chasing pack, but they could never mount a serious challenge.

Dirar and The Real Article tried to get to the first two, but they were fighting a lost cause, eventually settling for minor honours behind the convincing winner and the gallant runner-up.

Flynn said: “I didn’t think he would win like that. I was confident beforehand, but it’s Galway and I always thought he would be better over fences, but he is rated 130 over hurdles, so I said we’d give it a go.”

Doyle added: “It was very straightforward. They went quick enough and I was worried we were going a bit too quick, but my horse was happy and travelling. It was a big step up for him, but he won very well in Limerick and we were hopeful coming here.

“He hadn’t always jumped that well but he never missed a beat – that was the main thing. He handled the track very well.”

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