Outside The Door (Aidan Kelly) fends off Lord Gillygooley (Bryan Cooper, nearside)© Photo Healy Racing
Two horses who were beaten market-leaders on their last outings dominated division two of the Guinness Handicap Hurdle at Listowel with Outside The Door coming out on top for the Hold Firm Syndicate and trainer Padraig Roche.
Roche was delighted to provide hard-working conditional Aidan Kelly with a win, as the successful five-year-old Milan gelding Outside The Door shed his maiden tag at the eleventh time of asking.
Nine to four favourite Lord Gillygooley couldn’t match Outside The Door for stamina in the closing stages of this three miler, after the pair duelled it out from before the penultimate flight.
A much better leap at the last sealed the issue for the victor. He then powered on to triumph by four and a quarter lengths.
"He's a great jumper owned by a great bunch of lads. He's had a couple of good runs and it was probably the trainer's fault that I ran him back too quick last time at Kilbeggan,” reflected Roche.
“As you can see there, three miles is probably his minimum trip. He's a good fun horse to have. I was a bit concerned about the ground coming here but he got away with it.
"I'm delighted for Aidan, who's with me since I started and works his socks off. He's a very good rider and it's great to get him a winner."
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Trouble And Strife trained by Eoin Doyle, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to have pulled both its right fore and right hind shoes but to be otherwise post race normal.
The Stewards reviewed an incident early in the straight involving Lord Gillygooley, ridden by B.J. Cooper, placed second and Outside The Door, ridden by A.P. Kelly, placed first, where it appeared that there was contact between the two. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the matter, the Stewards were satisfied that no further action was warranted.
K.C. Sexton, rider of Hopefully trained by M.C. Grassick, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount was never happy on todays going.
(TW & EM)
