Pillar stands tall for Gallagher in Listowel

Pillar finished best after a duel with Polly Douglas in the Feale Handicap at Listowel.

He was bustled along from stall 14 by Shane Foley to soon lead in this race over an extended six furlongs.

The five-year-old gelding was able to dictate the fractions along the rail but was taken on and headed by Polly Douglas over a furlong from home.

However, Pillar rallied to good effect and edged ahead in the final 100 yards. He then came in by a head from 6/1 shot Polly Douglas. Hatton Cross was a length and three parts further away in third at 14/1.

Trainer Ado McGuinness said: "We were drawn 14 and I didn't think he'd be able to get to the front but I left it up to Dusty (Shane Foley) and he gave him an excellent ride. The only chance on that type of ground is to be handy and he jumps very very smart so I said not to disappoint him.

"I didn't think he'd handle the ground but he did and the start was a huge factor and he gave him a serious ride.

"That's Sean Gallagher's first winner at Listowel so it's great to get that for him as he has been touched off here a few times in the past.

"We always thought he was an out-and-out sprinter but he is a funny horse who is now coming to himself and for a low-grade handicapper, he has 34,000 euro earned in place prize-money alone (and 57,500 euro in total prizemoney)."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes