Galway Hurdle runner-up and perennial big-race bridesmaid Hidden Cyclone gained his 15th career success at Listowel today, winning the Kerrymaid Hurdle for trainer Shark Hanlon and jockey Danny Mullins.

The son of Stowaway made most of the running for a length and a half win over Draycott Place and following the race Hanlon stated “on ratings he was entitled to win it and had a good run in the Galway Hurdle.

I can’t see him going chasing and I’ll look to keep him to those conditions hurdles - I know he’d be a 12 year old next year but I’d love to give him another shot at the Galway Hurdle. It’s race that I’ve been looking forward to going for with him for the last five years and if he had jumped as well in the Galway Hurdle as he did today, he’d probably have won it.

“If we stay in those conditions hurdle and beat the like of those horses, his handicap mark can’t really be touched.”

Hidden Cyclone’s luckless attempts to win a Grade 1 race has seen him finish second four times, third three times while he has also finished second and fourth in the Galway Hurdle and also finished third in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham’s Open Festival.

By Tom Weekes