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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Cosmic Rock lands gamble in Listowel

Sat 25th Sep 2021, 15:45

Cosmic Rock, centre, comes through under Gary NoonanCosmic Rock, centre, comes through under Gary Noonan
© Photo Healy Racing

Cosmic Rock showed the benefit of his comeback run at Listowel on Monday when returning to the same track to score in division one of the Kathleen Walsh Memorial Handicap Hurdle.

He won a testing ground handicap hurdle at Limerick in March and wasn't out again until finishing mid-division in Co Kerry at the start of the week.

The seven-year-old gelding delivered his challenge over the second last and was on terms, between horses, at the last.

He was driven to victory in the closing stages by Gary Noonan. The pair took the honours by half a length. He was punted from 40/1 in the morning down to 10/1 on the off. Misty Millie kept him honest in second at 10/1 with 9/2 co favourite Little Mixup third. Well Joey gave his each-way backers a return in fourth.

Trainer Eoin McCarthy said: "The ground has got tacky, which suited him and he finished his race strong on Monday and came out of it in great form. We were happy to take our chances and the step up in trip suited.

"He can get wound-up but is lovely straightforward horse. He is quite fragile so hopefully he'll be ok and we can have a great season with him.

"I thought he was way over-priced and thought he was a great each-way bet and I'm delighted for Tony (Carey, owner), who is a great supporter of mine and for him a have winner at his local track is great."

Additional reporting by Tom Weekes

About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.