Chains Of Honour has delivered Ciaron Maher a surprise win in the Galleywood Hurdle at Warrnambool.

A horse bred to be a champion on the flat has won the feature jumps race on day two of the Warrnambool May Carnival. 

Chains Of Honour has given Ciaron Maher his fourth win in the Galleywood Hurdle (3200m) and third in succession with his victory at Warrnambool on Wednesday. 

By champion sire Redoute's Choice from dual Group 1 winning mare Faint Perfume, Chains Of Honour followed the back-to-back wins of Saunter Boy in the feature hurdle race of the three-day carnival. 

Included in the ownership of Chains Of Honour are David Eustace, who shared training duties with Maher until this year, Annabel Neasham, Gerald Ryan, Jack Turnbull and Chris Waller's assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth. 

Ridden by French jockey Luca Remondet, Chains Of Honour ($11) held off a late challenge from Port Guillaume ($6) with El Diez ($14) a further 2-½ lengths away third. 

Maher said Wednesday's success can be attributed to his brother Declan who said the Galleywood was a winnable race this year. 

"Dec actually said the Galleywood was a winnable race this year and I thought we were mad," Maher said. 

"He couldn't go in the Novice (run on Thursday) as there was a clause there saying because he'd been two years between (jumps) runs or something. 

"So, to get a horse to do that, that hasn't raced over jumps for a couple of years, in that sort of field, is a phenomenal effort from Dec and the Ballarat team." 

Chains Of Honour spent just shy of two years away from racing with a tendon injury and had not raced over jumps since falling at Ballarat in August 2022. 

Declan Mahar said the way Remondet handled Chains Of Honour should open further doors for the Frenchman who was having just his seventh ride since settling in Australia. 

"Shout out to Luca, what a super ride," Maher said. 

"He's a good kid and I'm sure after today, everyone knows who he is. He listens, he does everything you ask of him. 

"He's had over 100 rides in France, and he's hit the board pretty well now. He's only had about six rides (in Australia) and how good, he's won a Galleywood. 

"I must make mention of Willie McCarthy. He did a lot of work on this horse, and he made the decision to school over fences the first time and then we hurdle trialled it."