The Galway Hurdle is on the cards for Ancient Sands as the John Kiely trained ten year old gelding claimed his 12th career win in the Harvest Festival 9th-15th September Handicap Hurdle at Listowel today.

The 33/1 winner has trailed the field at Ballinrobe on his previous but was today reunited with jockey Brian Hayes and scored a two and a quarter lengths win over Beau Et Sublime

Afterwards Kiely said “it was nice to win under his old partner (Brian Hayes) and he gets on very well with him.

“I was a bit disappointed in Ballinrobe and didn't know what to expect today. I might look at the Galway Hurdle and I'll see how he comes out of this.”

He octogenarian added “he gave me a good feel yesterday morning riding him out!”