Cosmic Rock lands gamble in Listowel

Cosmic Rock showed the benefit of his comeback run at Listowel on Monday when returning to the same track to score in division one of the Kathleen Walsh Memorial Handicap Hurdle.

He won a testing ground handicap hurdle at Limerick in March and wasn't out again until finishing mid-division in Co Kerry at the start of the week.

The seven-year-old gelding delivered his challenge over the second last and was on terms, between horses, at the last.

He was driven to victory in the closing stages by Gary Noonan. The pair took the honours by half a length. He was punted from 40/1 in the morning down to 10/1 on the off. Misty Millie kept him honest in second at 10/1 with 9/2 co favourite Little Mixup third. Well Joey gave his each-way backers a return in fourth.

Trainer Eoin McCarthy said: "The ground has got tacky, which suited him and he finished his race strong on Monday and came out of it in great form. We were happy to take our chances and the step up in trip suited.

"He can get wound-up but is lovely straightforward horse. He is quite fragile so hopefully he'll be ok and we can have a great season with him.

"I thought he was way over-priced and thought he was a great each-way bet and I'm delighted for Tony (Carey, owner), who is a great supporter of mine and for him a have winner at his local track is great."

Additional reporting by Tom Weekes