When favourite Defan took a nasty fall at the second, the Connolly’s RED MILLS Irish EBF Auction Maiden Hurdle was opened up. At 125/1 Le Figaro Faoudel was the one to grab the opportunity in race two at Listowel.

Soon to begin an eight week ban for breaches of Covid 19 regulations at Galway, this success clearly meant plenty to local winning jockey, Kevin Brouder, as he punched the air crossing the line.

Another local man, Eoin McCarthy, trains Le Figaro Faoudel, and the five-year-old French-bred was making light of the fact that he’d been off the track since November.

The massive starting price can be explained away by the successful Nicobar gelding having shown very little in two previous starts.

John Ryan supplied the second and third here, Dedanann and Rippon Lodge but Le Figaro Faoudel was game on the run-in to keep up the gallop. He won by a length and a quarter and four and a half lengths.

"He is a family horse and my sister Sarah owns him,” revealed McCarthy.

“I convinced her to buy him at the Sales two years ago and he has broken my heart since we got him, with little niggles. However he worked awful well last week.

"We thought he'd run well today and I might take him to the Sales but we'll see.

"Kevin gave him a super ride and it might help with his holiday a little bit!

"We set out our stall at the start of the summer to get a winner at the Listowel festival so this is great."

(TW & EM)