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Rhyl Journal
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Rhyl Journal
Gold Dancer reels in stablemate Westport Cove for Galway glory
Westport Cove was the 85-40 favourite for the Grade Three contest having opened his account over fences at Ballinrobe in late May and looked in control for much of the way under Paul Townend. He still appeared the most likely winner after kicking clear of the faltering Pied Piper from the home turn, but the seven-year-old began to tire in the straight and Sean O'Keeffe produced 7-1 shot Gold Dancer with a well-timed challenge up the hill to emerge victorious by two and a half lengths. Trainer Willie Mullins said: 'Of my runners I thought Westport Cove would win, but Gold Dancer is by Doctor Dino, who is a horse we like, and Sean gave him a lovely cute ride. He let Paul do all the donkey work, had one crack at him and it all worked out 'Westport Cove basically races flat out so you just try to get a breather into him and while Paul thought he had enough breathers got, Gold Dancer is just improving. There is probably more improvement in him that the other horses we ran in the race. 'Today was the first time he showed me on the racecourse what we thought and think of him at home. We'll go down the novice chase route with him now at the big festivals and hopefully he is good enough to go on to the Drinmore (at Fairyhouse) in December.' British raider Tropical Island caused a 40-1 upset in the big Flat race of the afternoon – the Arthur Guinness Irish EBF Corrib Fillies Stakes under Luke McAteer. Richard Fahey's charge was well beaten on her most recent appearance at Pontefract, but was soon in front in this Listed event and had just enough in reserve to repel the fast-finishing Princess Child and Easy Mover in a thrilling three-way finish. 'They told me she'd stay and she stays bang on seven furlongs. The owners were adamant to keep her going, don't let up (in front) and turning in she was pricking her ears and looking up at the stands, but she stuck at it well,' said McAteer. 'I knew I had Gavin (Ryan, on Easy Mover) beaten but thought Declan (McDonogh, on Princess Child) had done me at the line, but it was great to hold on. 'I spoke to Richard (Fahey) on the phone and he said to do as the owners wanted so I didn't look back and she duly obliged. They wanted black type so it is great. 'That's my first ride for Richard, I know the owners and they put me forward for the ride. The owners are from around Kilkenny and this is brilliant.'
Powys County Times
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Powys County Times
Ndaawi awarded Galway Hurdle in dramatic circumstances
Last year's runner-up Ndaawi was called the winner of the Guinness Galway Hurdle after first past the post Helvic Dream was demoted by the stewards. It is 20 years since trainer Noel Meade saddled his most recent winner of the Ballybrit highlight in More Rainbows but he had come close on several occasions since, while Ndaawi's trainer Gordon Elliott had never won it previously. Helvic Dream, a Group One winner on the Flat for Meade in the 2021 Tattersalls Gold Cup, was an 8-1 shot in the hands of Donagh Meyler and settled down to fight it out with the 13-2 shot Ndaawi and Jack Kennedy in the home straight. However, the pair did come close together all the way up the run-in as both horses and jockeys gave their all, with Ndaawi short of room against the far rail, and while Helvic Dream passed the post a head in front the stewards felt the interference was significant enough to reverse the placings. Following a stewards' enquiry, Ndaawi is awarded the @GuinnessIreland Galway Hurdle 🏆 — Galway Races (@Galway_Races) July 31, 2025 Elliott, completing a big-race double after landing Wednesday's Galway Plate with Western Fold, said: 'We have won most of the big handicaps so this is the race I wanted to win, although it is not a nice way to win. 'Noel is one of my greatest friends and there isn't a day goes by that we don't talk and we have great banter, but that's the way it goes unfortunately. 'The stewards have their jobs to do, Jack said it straightaway after the race and I was talking to Ruby (Walsh) as well and he felt we would definitely get it. 'It is unbelievable to win the two big races here this week and the horses have all run well, I can't believe it.' On future plans for Ndaawi, the trainer added: 'There is a $150,000 Flat race in America for him in October now.' Meade later indicated he will appeal the decision. He told Racing TV: 'I didn't think we'd lose it, considering the race and considering Jack didn't have to stop riding. 'I do believe in my heart and soul it's the wrong decision and I will appeal it.'
Rhyl Journal
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Ndaawi awarded Galway Hurdle in dramatic circumstances
It is 20 years since trainer Noel Meade saddled his most recent winner of the Ballybrit highlight in More Rainbows but he had come close on several occasions since, while Ndaawi's trainer Gordon Elliott had never won it previously. Helvic Dream, a Group One winner on the Flat for Meade in the 2021 Tattersalls Gold Cup, was an 8-1 shot in the hands of Donagh Meyler and settled down to fight it out with the 13-2 shot Ndaawi and Jack Kennedy in the home straight. However, the pair did come close together all the way up the run-in as both horses and jockeys gave their all, with Ndaawi short of room against the far rail, and while Helvic Dream passed the post a head in front the stewards felt the interference was significant enough to reverse the placings. Following a stewards' enquiry, Ndaawi is awarded the @GuinnessIreland Galway Hurdle 🏆 — Galway Races (@Galway_Races) July 31, 2025 Elliott, completing a big-race double after landing Wednesday's Galway Plate with Western Fold, said: 'We have won most of the big handicaps so this is the race I wanted to win, although it is not a nice way to win. 'Noel is one of my greatest friends and there isn't a day goes by that we don't talk and we have great banter, but that's the way it goes unfortunately. 'The stewards have their jobs to do, Jack said it straightaway after the race and I was talking to Ruby (Walsh) as well and he felt we would definitely get it. 'It is unbelievable to win the two big races here this week and the horses have all run well, I can't believe it.' On future plans for Ndaawi, the trainer added: 'There is a $150,000 Flat race in America for him in October now.' Meade later indicated he will appeal the decision. He told Racing TV: 'I didn't think we'd lose it, considering the race and considering Jack didn't have to stop riding. 'I do believe in my heart and soul it's the wrong decision and I will appeal it.'
North Wales Chronicle
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- North Wales Chronicle
Gold Dancer reels in stablemate Westport Cove for Galway glory
Westport Cove was the 85-40 favourite for the Grade Three contest having opened his account over fences at Ballinrobe in late May and looked in control for much of the way under Paul Townend. He still appeared the most likely winner after kicking clear of the faltering Pied Piper from the home turn, but the seven-year-old began to tire in the straight and Sean O'Keeffe produced 7-1 shot Gold Dancer with a well-timed challenge up the hill to emerge victorious by two and a half lengths. Trainer Willie Mullins said: 'Of my runners I thought Westport Cove would win, but Gold Dancer is by Doctor Dino, who is a horse we like, and Sean gave him a lovely cute ride. He let Paul do all the donkey work, had one crack at him and it all worked out 'Westport Cove basically races flat out so you just try to get a breather into him and while Paul thought he had enough breathers got, Gold Dancer is just improving. There is probably more improvement in him that the other horses we ran in the race. 'Today was the first time he showed me on the racecourse what we thought and think of him at home. We'll go down the novice chase route with him now at the big festivals and hopefully he is good enough to go on to the Drinmore (at Fairyhouse) in December.' British raider Tropical Island caused a 40-1 upset in the big Flat race of the afternoon – the Arthur Guinness Irish EBF Corrib Fillies Stakes under Luke McAteer. Richard Fahey's charge was well beaten on her most recent appearance at Pontefract, but was soon in front in this Listed event and had just enough in reserve to repel the fast-finishing Princess Child and Easy Mover in a thrilling three-way finish. 'They told me she'd stay and she stays bang on seven furlongs. The owners were adamant to keep her going, don't let up (in front) and turning in she was pricking her ears and looking up at the stands, but she stuck at it well,' said McAteer. 'I knew I had Gavin (Ryan, on Easy Mover) beaten but thought Declan (McDonogh, on Princess Child) had done me at the line, but it was great to hold on. 'I spoke to Richard (Fahey) on the phone and he said to do as the owners wanted so I didn't look back and she duly obliged. They wanted black type so it is great. 'That's my first ride for Richard, I know the owners and they put me forward for the ride. The owners are from around Kilkenny and this is brilliant.'
Glasgow Times
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Gold Dancer reels in stablemate Westport Cove for Galway glory
Westport Cove was the 85-40 favourite for the Grade Three contest having opened his account over fences at Ballinrobe in late May and looked in control for much of the way under Paul Townend. He still appeared the most likely winner after kicking clear of the faltering Pied Piper from the home turn, but the seven-year-old began to tire in the straight and Sean O'Keeffe produced 7-1 shot Gold Dancer with a well-timed challenge up the hill to emerge victorious by two and a half lengths. Trainer Willie Mullins said: 'Of my runners I thought Westport Cove would win, but Gold Dancer is by Doctor Dino, who is a horse we like, and Sean gave him a lovely cute ride. He let Paul do all the donkey work, had one crack at him and it all worked out 'Westport Cove basically races flat out so you just try to get a breather into him and while Paul thought he had enough breathers got, Gold Dancer is just improving. There is probably more improvement in him that the other horses we ran in the race. 'Today was the first time he showed me on the racecourse what we thought and think of him at home. We'll go down the novice chase route with him now at the big festivals and hopefully he is good enough to go on to the Drinmore (at Fairyhouse) in December.' British raider Tropical Island caused a 40-1 upset in the big Flat race of the afternoon – the Arthur Guinness Irish EBF Corrib Fillies Stakes under Luke McAteer. Richard Fahey's charge was well beaten on her most recent appearance at Pontefract, but was soon in front in this Listed event and had just enough in reserve to repel the fast-finishing Princess Child and Easy Mover in a thrilling three-way finish. 'They told me she'd stay and she stays bang on seven furlongs. The owners were adamant to keep her going, don't let up (in front) and turning in she was pricking her ears and looking up at the stands, but she stuck at it well,' said McAteer. 'I knew I had Gavin (Ryan, on Easy Mover) beaten but thought Declan (McDonogh, on Princess Child) had done me at the line, but it was great to hold on. 'I spoke to Richard (Fahey) on the phone and he said to do as the owners wanted so I didn't look back and she duly obliged. They wanted black type so it is great. 'That's my first ride for Richard, I know the owners and they put me forward for the ride. The owners are from around Kilkenny and this is brilliant.'
