Another great script that thrust a bit-part player centre stage

Listowel never struggles to come up with scripts. Maybe it is the John B Keane factor, but the famous Kerry track can make movies in minutes and yesterday Gordon Elliott and Lisa O'Neill played out the role of the two main characters without fluffing a single line. It was heartwarming stuff.

Alfa Beat won the Kerry National twice for two different trainers. Katie Walsh became the first female jockey to win it in 2014, and last year Mouse Morris could not hold back the tears after Rogue Angel triumphed just a few months after his son Tiffer had died.

This time it was the turn of O'Neill. The 28-year-old from Garristown in County Dublin had ridden only 14 winners, and none in a chase. Riding in big races was not part of her job description in Elliott's yard.