Archie Meade delays retirement plan At odds of 25/1 thirteen-year-old Archie Meade won his first race since the Listowel Festival in 2015 when successful in the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle under Cathal Landers. Danny Howard's charge tracked leaders in third on the outer, and he improved to dispute the lead four out. Taking over two out, Archie Meade was soon ridden clear, keeping on well under pressure inside the final furlong. He was all out close home for a three parts of a length verdict over Wild Sam. The latter stayed on well close home for a never nearer than at the finish position. "He's had his problems but I've had my own problems. I was out for about three months after a young horse came back on top of me at Spanish Point and I was in a wheelchair for a while. I want to thank Ciara Daffy who did a lot with him when I was out. She was out in all weather, and also my father as well," revealed Howard in the aftermath. "That would have been his last run today if things didn't work out. We decided to drop him back in trip because the ground was testing and to be fair Cathal gave him a grand ride. He might go to Leopardstown now over three miles. "I have four in training at the moment." (AM & EM)
