Demolition job from Nurburgring as he storms seven lengths clear in Galway Hurdle romp

Nurburgring careered around Ballybrit's unique cambers to stamp his authority all over a Guinness Galway Hurdle that was beset with controversy before it began, then again as it began thanks to a messy start.

The decision of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board to order the withdrawal of the gambled-on favourite Petrol Head fired up the motor of the agitation engine and the drama wasn't diffused once the €270,000 showpiece got under way.

With Danny Mullins, in true Danny Mullins style, getting a literal flyer on Anotherway, followed closely by My Mate Mozzie and Williamstowndancer, a lot of the focus was on events other than the outcome.

For all that things started inexplicably, though, Mullins might just have nailed the timing of his launch from the grid, and there was no ambiguity about how things finished as the chequered flag was waved.

The Joseph O'Brien-trained Nurburgring demolished the 19-runner field to sweep home for an emphatic seven-length success under JJ Slevin, the widest winning margin in the race since Quinze danced home by 14 lengths 25 years ago.

And, after a gap of 23 years between Perugino Diamond and Zarak The Brave, he also became the second four-year-old in a row to win the race.

It was an unequivocal demonstration of quality from a youngster who had won and been placed in some of the best juvenile hurdles last season.

Nurburgring's connections, including groom Chand Khan and trainer Joseph O'Brien, celebrate in the winner's enclosureCredit: Patrick McCann

O'Brien, who was claiming the Hurdle for a second time following Tigris River's 2017 win and who had already landed the Tuesday night feature with Mexicali Rose, gave Nurburgring a prep for this on the Flat last month. It clearly left him cherry-ripe for this, and the victory edged the handler in front in the week's trainers' title, taking his running tally to four.

"He was a fresh horse today and was dropping from a Grade 1 into a handicap, which is always a help," O'Brien said of the well-supported 13-2 shot. "Today was the target, so we won't rush him back, but he will be going back into Graded races somewhere. It's very special to win the Galway Hurdle.

"It was a fantastic ride from JJ – it was a very impressive performance."

Although Willie Mullins benefited from the inequitable start from Anotherway and Williamstowndancer, some of his other eight runners were among those whose chances were badly compromised. Daddy Long Legs, who ended up 5-1 favourite, was probably the worst affected, as he was sideways on under Paul Townend and very slowly away when the flag fell. He never figured and trailed home last.

My Mate Mozzie maintained his early position to finish third for a second year in a row, with Ndaawi running on late to deny him for second. Nicky Henderson's Under Control was well held in sixth.

IHRB starter Paddy Graffin, who agreed the whole thing was "very unsatisfactory", insisted Anotherway didn't breach the tape and there was no official inquiry.

Champion trainer Mullins didn't want to dwell on the matter but there was no denying the whole thing wasn't how it should have been.

"It didn't look ideal but that's what it was," he said. "I think five of mine were the last five over the first hurdle, so they were wiped out straight away."

For Slevin, it was a first win in either of the week's marquee events. He said: "The start was a bit of a shambles, but I got where I wanted to be and Danny was parking up everywhere and doing his own thing.

JJ Slevin with the Galway Hurdle trophyCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

"He has picked up and gone away in the end. You won't see a Galway Hurdle winner win by seven lengths too often, so it was a good performance.  He had that Grade 1 form and he had just 10st 10lb in this, so that helped."

For all of the other noise, few would argue with that statement. Such was Nurburgring's superiority, he might have won with another stone on his back. Just too good.

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