Smith and Power gain well deserved Listowel win There was nobody begrudging trainer Matthew Smith and jockey Robbie Power their win with Mindsmadeup (5s into 7/2 favourite) in the Paud, Sarah & Mary Fitzmaurice Handicap Hurdle. At Listowel yesterday Maeve’s Choice had every chance when departing at the last for Smith and Power. Power was of course also right on the premises when Shantou Village erred at the final fence in the Kerry National on Wednesday and lost out on a decent pay-day. “Character building,” is how Power reflected on that misfortune but here Mindsmadeup made use of a handy hurdles mark to defeat Oh’herewego by a length and a quarter. The runner-up had triumphed in this event twelve months back. Second in 2018 Theatre World was fourth this time. Coincidentally Bye Bye O Bye, 12th a year ago, finished in the same position this afternoon, again beaten around fifty lengths. "On his recent chase form I'd have been disappointed if he didn't win. He was very keen for the first mile but was grand then," said Smith. "He had a couple of good recent runs over fences and we'll look for a nice chase somewhere now. He is going the right way and there are plenty of chases coming up for him." S.F. O'Keeffe, rider of Lady Of The Sea trained by Paul Nolan, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount never travelled. The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Silver Planeur (FR), trained by E. McNamara, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be blowing hard post race. Samples were taken for analysis. C.P. McNamara, rider of Silver Planeur (FR) trained by E. McNamara, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount was never travelling and pulled up. (TW & EM)
