Waver gets off the mark over hurdles

Regally-bred Waver used his flat speed to good effect when landing the John Lynch Memorial Maiden Hurdle at Listowel.

By Galileo and out of Nell Gwyn, the four-year-old gelding looked to have a job on his hands when pushed along behind strong-travelling Louise Royale However, Robbie Power switched him out and he began to pick up at the second last.

He grabbed the lead at the final hurdle and quickened up on the run-in to score by a length and a half at 9/4. Louise Royale only gave best after the last and took second for Tom Cooper and Johnny Burke at 16/1 (from 25s in the morning). Flight Plan the 7/4 favourite, couldn’t go with the front two and came in third, beaten seven and a half lengths.

Winning handler Aidan O’Brien said: Robbie gave him a peach of a ride. He relaxed lovely for him. He kept him nice and covered and he won nicely. The lads are doing a great job with him at home. Fasal Hayat is in charge of the jumpers and does a great job.

“He’ll go for a little winners’ race somewhere. He likes fast ground and doesn’t want it too soft.”

Robbie Power added: “He had a nice run in Galway where he was a little inexperienced. He’s still a bit inexperienced. It takes them a couple of runs to get their confidence.”

Waver won two handicaps on the flat. He reached a mark of 88 in that sphere.

This was O'Brien's fourth winner of the week at the Harvest Festival while Power booted home his second winner at this year's festival.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson