Sand Fly and Gary Noonan jump the last to justify strong support© Photo Healy Racing
Sand Fly runner-up in the mares' maiden hurdle at Listowel on Tuesday, proved a very popular winner on the final day of the Festival meeting when going one better in the Doctor Bob Handicap Hurdle.
The Paddy Neville-trained six-year-old was backed from 8/1 into 5/2 this morning and further supported on track to go off the 15/8 favourite.
Gary Noonan, partnering his first winner under rules, produced the daughter of Footstepsinthesand with a well-timed challenge up the inner to lead before the last.
She kept on well on the run-in to beat Something Sweet by a length and a quarter, with Elusive Don all of six and a half lengths further away in third.
Neville said, “She ran well earlier in the week and she was in such good form we said we'd give her a break after today. She was well-in here.
“We took her to the beach a few times to freshen her up. The boys (Fly Syndicate) all had tickets for the match and stayed at home so I'm glad it paid off.
“There is only one Listowel and a lot of the syndicate are from North Kerry. Senator Paul Daly in Kilbeggan is also involved, Eamon Leahy and the Kavanaghs from Charleville.
“We bought her handy early in the year when nobody had faith in her. We didn't get the key when we bought her but I think we have the key to her now!
“Gary rides out for me and is a Newcastle West man.”
