A win to savour for Cullen and Flanagan

Back from a three race sojourn on the Flat, Misty Lady (10/1) provided John Cullen with an important success in his fledgling training career when just coming out best in an exciting conclusion to the featured Grade B Ladbrokes Island Handicap Hurdle at Listowel.

Paul Townend, just 'done' in the Kerry National yesterday on Urano (short-headed by Rogue Angel), suffered a similar fate here as front-runner Misty Lady came back to 'nose' out his mount Lilly The Lioness

The assessor will no doubt be pleased with the outcome of this valuable handicap, as less than three and a half lengths covered the first six home.

"She's as tough as nails and I'm lucky to have her; I'm just glad to get on the right side of the photo-finish!" exclaimed Cullen.

"That's my first win since moving to the Curragh to train point to pointers for owner Joey Logan. I've twenty horses to train for him, and only have two of my own for the track. It's my first winner since retiring from race-riding (during the Galway Festival)."

"She didn't help me early on, she was doing a little bit of hanging and that, but it's her way of doing things. She stuck her head down from the bottom of the straight home," reported the man aboard Misty Lady, Sean Flanagan.

"John is a fellow Wexford man and we used to go racing together coming from the same place. I'm delighted to ride a winner for him - he's a good friend of mine.

"I'm freelance - two days a week with Harry Kelly, a day a week in Noel Meades. I go to Liz Doyles and Evanna McCutcheon, and several other places as well. Basically anyone that'll use me I go and help them out."

P.T. Enright, rider of Dollar And A Dream trained by A.J.Martin, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount pecked on landing at the second last hurdle.

The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Whatsforuwontgobyu trained by A.J.Martin, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.

(TW & EM)