Emcon provides Austin with glorious silver lining

When Emcon dropped Willie Austin from the saddle in a routine morning workout last month, the trainer did not react as one would have expected. Of course, the pain of breaking a collarbone must have been very real, and the battle scars are still visible, but he knew then that the seven-year-old was approaching fever pitch, and he began thinking of Listowel for her.

"She didn't give me any chance of staying on and we were out in front with the younger ones in behind," the trainer said after Emcon had returned to the winner's enclosure following her three-length success in the feature M.J Carroll ARRO Handicap Hurdle.

"She is probably improving and did that well. I would say that we'll aim her at another hurdle race in a fortnight's time at Gowran Park."