Blazing Tempo wins Galway Plate

Paul Townend landed a fairytale first success since returning from injury when driving Blazing Tempo home in thetote.com Galway Plate. Townend brought the well-backed mare with a telling run from the last to collar Wise Old Owl in the last 100 yards and end trainer Willie Mullins' wait to win this valuable handicap chase. It was also a first win in the race for the Irish champion jockey, who only returned on Monday after fracturing his collarbone at Punchestown in May. The early pace was cut out by Back Of The Pack, last year's winner Finger Onthe Pulse, Archie Boy and Schindler's Gold. Head Of The Posse was an early casualty while Majestic Concorde was pulled up after a bad mistake at the fence in front of the stands as they set out for the final circuit. The well-fancied Bahrain Storm fell as the race began to unfold and there were plenty in with chances at the final fence, where Lucky Wish came down for the second year running. Wise Old Owl was left with a handy lead but Townend saw that the gamble on Blazing Tempo was won as he carried the 5-1 favourite home by a length and a quarter from the 13-2 shot. Aigle D'Or, trained by Nicky Henderson, was third with Hampshire Express fourth.