Listowel joy for two local rising stars of the National Hunt scene

THE Galway flag was flying high at the big Listowel festival on Tuesday thanks to the exploits of two young local jockeys and a trainer.

Craughwell pair, trainer Brian Cawley and promising 7lb claimer Liam Gilligan, combined to land the Connolly’s Red Mills Maiden Hurdle with the consistent Whatsafellatodo which stayed on stoutly to land the €20,000 contest by one and a half lengths from market leader, Court Maid.

Sent off a well-backed 9/2 chance and carrying the colours of Loughrea man Jody Daniels, Whatsafellatodo was building on the good impression he had made when runner-up in Kilbeggan last month.

There was further Galway joy at Listowel on Tuesday when Killimordaly native and another talented 7lb claimer, Evan Daly, was left celebrating the outcome of a Stewards Enquiry to the featured Lartigue Hurdle.

Daly and runner-up Gold Seal had been desperately unlucky in the €55,000 event for four-year-olds after being interfered with by race-winner Kuiper Belt between the last two flights of hurdles.

Denis O’Regan had swerved Kuiper Belt off the rail but, in the process, caused Gold Seal to lose some momentum and with Daly’s mount only beaten by a fast-diminishing short head, the Stewards’ reversal of placings after a protracted enquiry was inevitable.

It was a second success in a few days for Daly after he partnered the Paul Nolan-trained Dia Del Sol to win the Adare Manor Opportunity Maiden Hurdle at Wexford last Saturday. The 8/1 shot did not go unsupported in recording a length and a quarter success over Galtymore.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.

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