'Jack said straight away he'd get it' - Ndaawi gives Gordon Elliott Galway Hurdle-Plate double, but only after stewards' intervention

It was beginning to look as though Gordon Elliott might need divine intervention to secure that elusive Guinness Galway Hurdle victory but all it took in the end was a panel of stewards brave enough to make a big call. 

Four times in 12 years Elliott had been second in the country's most valuable hurdle and for a short while it looked like that was what he would have to settle for once again as last year's runner-up Ndaawi came up a head short behind Helvic Dream. 

As a Group 1 winner in the 2021 Tattersalls Gold Cup, Helvic Dream winning the lion's share of the €270,000 purse was compelling in itself, not to mention the synchronicity of Noel Meade being the one on the right side of a battle with his great County Meath friend following Jesse Evans' latest near-miss behind Western Fold in Wednesday's Plate. 

Alas, the drama was only just beginning to unfold as they crossed the line. Replays showed that Helvic Dream had persistently lent in on Ndaawi from the final flight, but the margin was a head and Jack Kennedy didn't stop riding on the second.

On the flip side, Meyler never changed his whip into what would be considered his correct – right – hand to dissuade his mount from intimidating Ndaawi. That may have swung it.

Stewarding in this part of the world tends to favour the first past the post and there isn't a rich history of big-race results being overturned, with Duntle's 2012 Matron Stakes demotion maybe the closest recent precedent. 

On this occasion, though, the panel eschewed the easy decision and demoted Helvic Dream. It was a marginal call that split opinion at Ballybrit. Meyler, who received a two-day ban for careless riding, described it bluntly as a "horror story" and Meade subsequently confirmed he would appeal against the verdict. 

Trainers Noel Meade (centre) and Gordon Elliott (left) wait on the stewards' inquiry verdict after the Galway HurdleCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

"I don't think there was quite enough for them to change that, although I know I am biased," Meade said. "Jack never stopped riding. I thought it was six to one and half a dozen the other, and I thought he was holding him the whole time."

Kennedy had won neither of the Galway showpieces before so this was a landmark moment for him. 

"Obviously it's not a nice way to get it but I did feel I would have won had I not received the interference, so I'm delighted," he said.

"I thought from 100 yards out if [Helvic Dream] had come off me my horse would have got going again. He tried to go but couldn't, he was getting too much pressure from the outside." 

There was even a poignant footnote as, in completing the Plate-Hurdle double, Elliott was emulating Edward O'Grady, who did the same in 1978 and who died on Sunday night. Willie Mullins completed the feat more recently with Royal Rendezvous (Plate) and Saldier (Hurdle).

"We have won most of the big handicaps so this is the race I wanted to win, although it is not a nice way to do it," Elliott said.

“Noel is one of my greatest friends and there isn’t a day goes by that we don’t talk and we have great banter, but that’s the way it goes unfortunately.

“Jack said straightaway after the race that he would get it and I was talking to Ruby [Walsh] as well and he felt we would definitely get it.

“It is unbelievable to win the two big races here this week, I can’t believe it.”

On plans for Ndaawi, he added: “There is a $150,000 Flat race in America for him in October now."

A typically ambitious plan, then. At this stage he probably needs to look that far afield for unconquered outposts. 

Read these next:

Willie Mullins' Gold Dancer downs stronger-fancied stablemate to set up potential Grade 1 tilt 

'Days like this are what you dream of' - Danny Gilligan and Gordon Elliott team up for more Galway Plate gold with Western Fold 

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