Trainer Noel Meade has admitted he “really didn't think” his Hymie Weiss would be promoted to win Kilbeggan's controversial opening maiden hurdle today, despite the gelding's jockey Sean Flanagan offering a differing view.

Hymie Weiss was promoted at the expense of nose first-past-the-post Mylerstown Upper (see earlier report) and following another later win with Lignou Meade opined “I didn't really but Sean thought we would (win in the stewards' room). Sean felt after the last he came over on top of him.

“I thought I'd win one here last year in a novice chase when a horse of mine was knocked down. I probably should have got it and didn't, and with this fella I didn't think much happened and he got it.

“That's the swings and roundabouts.

“It's funny because it didn't really matter to me at that stage whether he won it or not because he's a horse that we'll be hoping to sell to someone in the yard and he would probably have been better a maiden.

Regarding Hymie Weiss, whose namesake was a bitter rival of Al Capone, Meade added “we've always thought plenty of him but every time we ran him he disappointed and it was the ground I suppose.

“Johnny Moore (jockey) had been telling me that he was a lovely horse and that's why I ran him in two bumpers but he finished tailed off. The reason he was tailed off was the ground.

“We'll see what the handicapper does with him now, he can't give him too much for that.

“He'll jump fences in time, he has a nice bit of strength to him and a good jumping pedigree. I bought him off the Costellos.”

Quotes from Gary Carson