Sapphire a Galway jewel

Moonlight Sapphire repelled the challenge of the strong-travelling Gratified to take top honours in the ghotel.ie & hotelmeyrick.ie Novice Hurdle, the opening event of the 2009 Galway Festival.John O'Shea's filly was sent off at 6-1 having finished down the field on the Flat at Wexford on her latest outing, but she was right in the firing line turning for home.It looked as though Dermot Weld, renowned for his fantastic record at the track, would take top honours when Gratified loomed up approaching the final flight, but Moonlight Sapphire dug deep for Sean McDermott to score by a length.O'Shea said: "We were hoping first-time blinkers would sharpen her up and the soft ground was a help. In fact, I thought maybe she got to the front a little bit too soon."We've not got to the bottom of her stamina-wise yet. We may come back here on Saturday for a two-mile handicap on the Flat."No One Tells Me showed a tenacious attitude when battling to victory in the galwaybayhotel.com Handicap Hurdle.Jessica Harrington's charge was sent off the 9-2 favourite to supplement a victory at Punchestown and was in front a long way from home under Robbie Power.Right Or Wrong tried hard to reel her in after jumping the final flight, but No One Tells Me answered Power's every call to score by two lengths. Another Harrington inmate, Good Old Thyme, finished third.Harrington said: "The ground was a big worry, but I couldn't believe how well she was travelling. She won at Punchestown and to come back and win at Galway is great."I forgot to declare cheekpieces, but she has been so sweet at home it didn't really matter. We may see her out again during the week as she's in such good old form."