Curley Bill claimed his fourth win in his last five starts when winning the Kerrymaid Hurdle at Listowel today for trainer Noel Meade and jockey Davy Condon.

The son of Heron Island, carrying the colours of Philip Reynolds (son of former Taoiseach Albert Reynolds) seemed to run in snatches but found top gear early in the home straight arrived to head leader Un Beau Roman after two out, before recording a four lengths win.

Afterwards Meade stated “I've liked him all along and he is tough. Davy (Condon) wasn't happy over the first three hurdles and said he didn't seem to handle the track. It was only late on that he put things together and he may be better going right handed.”

He added “he is ground dependent and while he handles soft ground against Flat horses, it would be different were he to race against winter horses on soft. He'll stay going as long as the ground stays good.”

By Thomas Weekes