Pinkerton kept on strongly in the closing stages to prevail in a typically hard-fought renewal of the Tote Galway Plate.
Despite having won his last two starts at Tipperary and Punchestown in April and May respectively, Noel Meade's charge was sent off at 20-1 under Donagh Meyler.
However, the seven-year-old travelled well throughout and produced a stirring finish to make those odds look generous and give Meade a second success in this €270,000 handicap chase, which he took with Road To Riches a decade ago.
Duffle Coat also dug deep up the home stretch to finish half a length back in second, with Zanahiyr and Life In The Park just behind in third and fourth.
Last year’s winner Ash Tree Meadow led from the outset and was still out in front turning for home, but a 15lb rise up the ratings from 12 months ago ultimately took its toll as he slipped backwards late on.
The Noel Meade-trained Pinkerton travels all over his rivals and repels the challenge of Duffle Coat to take the Tote Galway Plate at 20-1 under Donagh Meyler. #GalwayRaces pic.twitter.com/rq6AHwwuCr
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) July 31, 2024
Meade told RTÉ Sport: "It’s a huge race. The big races here are huge and this is one of the biggest ones.
"I thought I wasn’t going to get it and then Road To Riches popped up.
"After this fella won in Punchestown, we said we’d wait for here.
"We gave him a little break and he’s been doing everything right. We brought him to Killarney but didn’t run him, as we thought the ground was too quick.
"We just let him have an away day at the Curragh and he was in great form."
Trainer Noel Meade, who has won the Tote Galway Plate for a second time, and the owners of Pinkerton reflect on success in the feature. #GalwayRaces pic.twitter.com/P8oR6uQUPx
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) July 31, 2024
Watch the Galway Races with RTÉ Sport. Coverage from Monday to Wednesday at 4.40pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player. Coverage on Thursday at 2.30pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.
