Promising Oakly now two from three Paddy Kennedy rode his second winner at Galway 2017 when the promising Oakly again signalled that there could some big days ahead with victory in the Guinness Novice Hurdle. Despite going off at odds of 12/1 Oakly certainly didn't go unbacked, though much of the pre-race attention focussed on 5/6 favourite Lac Kivu. However Lac Kivu's stable companion Robin Des Foret was the one to represent Willie Mullins best, giving it a right good go from the front under Paul Townend. He looked to have in the bag when attempting to assert from before the second last. Paul Fahey's Oakly wasn't always great over his flights but he has deep reserves of stamina which got him there in time to gain the day by half a length. Oakly was reversing Roscommon form from 23 days earlier with Robin Des Foret. "He's very very unexposed and we've nursed him along," said Fahey. "He won't be sold now — we're going to have fun. "Listowel will be on his agenda. When he moves up to three miles he'll be even better. "We won't abuse him — he's only a five-year-old. "He got into every bit of trouble the last day at Roscommon and Paddy came in and apologised. "I said to him you're not hurt, the horse is not hurt, and we'll have another day. "The Grey Mare won here for us 19 years ago and she was the one that set the Faheys on the way." The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Bhutan, trained by Joseph Patrick O'Brien, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to have a nasal discharge post race. It was also noted that the gelding had lost a left fore shoe. R. Walsh, rider of Lac Kivu (FR) trained by W.P. Mullins, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount stopped quickly and was distressed post race. The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Lac Kivu (FR), trained by W.P. Mullins, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be making a respiratory noise post race. (TW & EM)
