Heliogabalus and Castleheath dead-heat in Galway nightcap

Written by John O'Riordan

Following a photo finish to the concluding Caulfield Industrial Handicap at Galway, the judge was unable to split Heliogabalus and Castleheath

Shane Foley, who was completing a double on the card, always had Heliogabalus up with the pace, before heading long-time leader Chavjavod over 50 yards out.

However, no sooner had the latter got to the front, then he was quickly joined by Castleheath, who came through from off the pace under Sam Coen.

Flashing by the line together, the result photo confirmed that both Sean Byrne (Heliogabalus) and Ciaran Murphy (Castleheath) had trained Galway festival winners.

Sean Byrne said: "It didn't look like we were 'up' so we couldn't believe it when the dead-heat was called - it is unbelievable!

"Sean and Aideen both work for Jessica Harrington and this horse came from her yard. He ran well in Killarney the last day but he has a little think about things, so the blinkers were a big help today.

"We had a winner at the festival previously with Eastern Racer but that was during covid so this is great."

Ciaran Murphy said: "We had this in mind as we know he runs well fresh, so we had one go today. After his last run in March, we said we'd keep him for the Flat and that he could mix between hurdles this week. He was on a nice mark, so we sat tight.

"He runs well fresh but has done loads of work and it worked out beautifully. He'll run again somewhere at the meeting again later in the week.

"We have excellent facilities at home for getting them fit and we're putting in a new gallop this year for the Flat horses."