Cullinan & Fahey enjoy big win with Man O Work

Man O Work provided 7lb claimer Cian Cullinan and trainer Paul Fahey with their biggest success when landing the €100,000 Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle, the feature race on day six of the Listowel Harvest Festival.

The Workforce gelding, available at 25/1 overnight and supported into 11/1, made good headway on the outer early in the straight to lead between the final two flights.

A fine leap at the last settled the issue as the five-year-old kept on strongly under Cullinan, partnering just his fifth winner, to score by a length and a half.

Horantzau D’airy made good headway between horses in the straight and kept on best of the remainder to take the runner-up spot with Shecouldbeanything who led briefly at the second last, a further four and a half lengths back in third. Thecompanysergeant completed the places in fourth.

This was a third win over hurdles for Man O Work who was also second in the valuable Liam Healy Memorial Lartigue Hurdle here 12 months ago.

Cullinan said, “He’s been a great little horse to me and to Paul, who has backed me from day one on him. That’s my second win on him. I missed riding him here last year as I broke my leg.

“After his fall in Leopardstown (at the Dublin Racing Festival in February) his confidence level has come right back through the roof.

“Things didn’t go to plan today, they often don’t in these big fields, and we had to not panic and go to plan B but it’s worked out well. Plan A was to be handier.

“I gave him a squeeze and he winged the second last and the last. He’s an amazing little horse.

“He’s still a bit novicey and is still only a five-year-old.”

Fahey said, "This winter went horribly for him, the ground went against him and things didn't work out. We pulled the plug, he had a lovely run when finishing second in a flat race in Tramore and this race was the plan.

"He likes Listowel and finished second in the Lartigue Hurdle last year but last Monday I was down here and we were debating whether to run, with all the rain that fell. We walked the track this morning and with fresh ground, decided to take our chance."

He added "He missed the break and we were hoping to be closer to the pace, but plan B came into operation and Cian didn't panic. Trainers make plans but jockeys have to be allowed use plan B and they are the ones who win races.

"He was brilliant, is based with Jessica Harrington and rides out for me in the afternoon.

"I think, eventually, we will have a crack at a nice Flat race somewhere along the line with Man O Work."

The Nurney trainer enjoyed many good days with He'llberemembered who won the Leopardstown Chase nine years ago.

Quotes by Tom Weekes