Chris Hayes gives Marlos Moment a pat on neck after his win© Photo Healy Racing
Chris Hayes continued his fantastic week at Listowel as he recorded his fifth winner of the Festival aboard the Jim Culloty trained Marlos Moment
The 6yo gelding opened this morning at 9/2 with Paddy Powers and opened on track at just 7/2 before being backed into 11/4 favourite at the off.
He chased the leaders in the early stages and was third halfway before making headway into second three furlongs out.
He hit the front two furlongs from home before keeping on well from over a furlong out to score by a length and three parts at the finish. Moveable Asset (7/2) for Willie Mullins & Pat Smullen kept on well but just couldn’t reel in the winner who got first run on him.
The John Kiely trained On The Way Out ran a nice race to finish six lengths back in third at 12/1 under Gary Carroll on his first start for over three hundred days.
Winning trainer Jim Culloty said afterwards: "He travelled well and he handled the ground very well. He just keeps improving and was very professional today.
"He will go back over hurdles soon just because there is not many races on the flat for him now but he will be back on the flat next summer.
"He is a very adaptable horse and we have schooled him over fences and he jumps well. Chris gave him a great ride, he knows him well and he is a proper jockey.
"That is my first winner here as a trainer but I’ve had winners riding.
"The owners (the Two F M Partnership) are from Ballinasloe."
Chris Hayes added: "He is a smashing horse who is improving with every run. I always seem to have luck in Listowel. I've been coming here for years and I would consider it my local track."
(On-course reporting by Alan Magee)
