Shanwalla and Jack Gilligan (centre) challenge at the last © Photo Healy Racing
Apart from the facemasks, there was a celebration reminiscent of pre-pandemic times in the winners’ enclosure as local horse Shanwalla (16/1) took the Tote Biggest Dividends At tote.ie Handicap Hurdle in a driving finish.
Trained in Athenry by Paul Gilligan for the MNM Partnership and ridden by the trainer’s son Jack, the Dubai Destination gelding chased the leaders before getting into contention on the run to the final flight.
He came through between Molly Wedger (14/1) and the 11/4 favourite Dalton Highway at the last and battled on well to beat that pair by three quarters of a length and two lengths.
The 7-year-old winner had missed most of last year before returning to action in March and had won his previous start at Kilbeggan in June.
A delighted Paul Gilligan said: "It's our home town, my son has ridden him and he is half-owned by Natalie (wife) and a good crew of people and a few from around town. This is where you want to win and it was a fantastic ride by Jack.
"Jack had a winner here at the October meeting and this is his first festival win.
"Everything is down to the young lads at home and their friends who come in riding out. Ollie is 13, rides him every day, led him around today and when we worked the horse last week, he said the horse was buzzing!
"It cannot be done without them. My Dad is here today, Mam is at home probably watching the re-runs and it's Dad's first time at the races in a while; this is what it's all about.
"The horse is out of a full-sister to Berties Dream who won at Cheltenham for us and we bred him ourselves between Natalie and Tony Kilkenny. This is magic."
Quotes from Thomas Weekes
