Madden and Meade off the mark at Galway The Jockeys Association Maiden Hurdle was won by Noel Meade's Gay Sloane in the hands of Niall 'Slippers' Madden for owners The Wee Syndicate. Maddens mount travelled well throughout the race and was pushed out after the last to win by a comfortable 5 lengths pulling away from Welds Noble Crusader ridden by Ruby Walsh. Meade said afterwards, 'He was my banker of the week. I thought he and Go Native were my best bets and when Go Native was beaten we lumped on this lad. He is French bred and alot of French bred horses take time to climatise. We gave him a break after Naas where he ran on heavy ground and while Galway was not the plan, he came to hand to very quick.'
