Itshard turns over hotpot Listen

Father and son team, Sean and Noel McParlan, struck as Itshard To No turned over hot-pot Listen Dear in the opening maiden hurdle at Downpatrick this afternoon.

Listen Dear was sent off a 1/3 shot for the 2m2f contest after the race cut up to five runners from an original eight.

Paul Townend made the running on the jolly but was hard pressed coming to the last.

Itshard To No looked to have thrown it away by hanging to the stands rail after the final flight but battled back gamely in the closing stages to grab a length-and-a-quarter victory.

The 7/2 winner finished runner-up on his last visit to the course and had also been second in a bumper at the track.

"He's a consistent wee boy. He had a problem with ulcers when he started racing," said Sean McParlan.

"He needs to be dropped in and come with a run. He hangs left a bit. He'd be some certainty on a left-handed track!

"He's for sale in Fairyhouse on Tuesday. If somebody gives enough they will get him. Our job is point-to-pointing."

(Quotes by Michael Graham)