Ragin Cajun and James Smith© Photo Healy Racing
Shay Gillen gained a deserved success with problem-prone Ragin Cajun (18/1) in Listowel's Guinness Handicap Hurdle (div I) today, as the owner gained compensation for an unlucky defeat at the track on Tuesday.
The ten year old's previous win was in October 2020 and while Gillen's Moonovercloon was a final-flight faller, when challenging, at the Kerry venue on Tuesday, Rajin Cajun today returned to form comfortably beating 14 year old Oh'herewego
Winning jockey James Smith moves to English-based trainer Jonjo O'Neill next week and afterwards his father and successful trainer Matthew Smith said “this horse is named after John Cajun, who is a friend of owner Shay Gillen and while they didn't make it down, I'm delighted for them as they were unlucky with Moonovercloon.
“He won a hurdle for me at Down Royal in 2020 and while we knew there was another day in him, he has had plenty of problems. Shay gave him every chance, gave him time off and sent him back to me. Many would have given up but Shay kept the faith and it paid off.”
