A LONG term plan came together for Kildare trainer Paul Fahey when Man O Work (11/1) came to the fore in Friday’s feature, the Listed Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle at Listowel.

The five-year-old gelding missed the break for Cian Cullinan, but was given an excellent ride by the Wexford pilot thereafter, gradually working his way into the race on the son of Workforce before taking it up between the final two flights. He landed running after the last and always looked to be holding Horantzau D’airy and Paul Townend in second.

“This winter went horribly for him, the ground went against him and things didn’t work out,” said Fahey, who has had previous success with the likes of He’llberembered and Lots Of Memories. “We pulled the plug and he had a lovely run when finishing second in a flat race in Tramore and this race was the plan.

“He missed the break and we were hoping to be closer to the pace, but Plan B came into operation and Cian didn’t panic. Trainers make plans but jockeys have to be allowed use Plan B and they are the ones who win races.

“I think, eventually, we will have a crack at a nice flat race somewhere along the line with Man O Work.”

The second division went to Ragin Cajun (18/1), who provided Matthew and James Smith, and owner Shay Gillen with some nice compensation after their Moonovercloon fell at the last when in a great positon here on Monday.

The 10-year-old travelled into the race smoothly from off the pace and went clear of Oh’herewego on the run in to win by eight and a half lengths.

“He won a hurdle for me at Down Royal in 2020 and, while we knew there was another day in him, he has had plenty of problems,” Smith said. “Shay gave him every chance, gave him time off and sent him back to me. Many would have given up but Shay kept the faith and it paid off.”

There was a dramatic conclusion to the second division of the three-mile Guinness Handicap Hurdle in which Sprint Street (Danny Gilligan) and Gigantamax Eevee (James Smith), both in challenging positions, took nasty falls, with the latter of those hampering Jeriko De Baune, causing him to unseat Niall Moore.

Gilligan was stood down for the rest of the day because of a collarbone injury while Moore was taken to Cork University Hospital to get treatment for a facial injury.

The incident opened up the race for Another Nightmare (40/1), who seemed to be struggling in fifth on the turn, to come through to win for Shane Fenelon and Shark Hanlon, pulling four and three quarter lengths clear of Amazing Amy.

Owned by the Meadows Racing Club, the five-year-old had shown little in maiden hurdles prior to this but was making her handicap debut here, racing off a mark of 91.

IT took Noel Kelly and his team seven hours to take Cave Court (6/1) to Listowel but if their journey down was tedious, the journey that mattered was ultra smooth for the TSM Racing Syndicate-owned six-year-old who landed his hat-trick in some style.

He travelled sweetly for Jody McGarvey, was produced stylishly at the second last and sealed the Paud, Sarah & Mary Fitzmaurice Memorial Handicap Chase when scampering away from Likable Chancer after the last.

“Myself, my daughter Mia and a friend Tiernan McCusker left home at 5am and it took seven hours to travel down,” Kelly said. “I had fed the horse at 4am and, while it was a long journey, it was worthwhile!

“We were a bit unsure whether he’d handle the ground or not but he obviously did. He travelled well the whole way and jumps for fun. He keeps improving and we train him from the field as he gave us a lot of problems in the stable. He has turned inside out.

“He is entered for Clonmel on Thursday and we might put wee Oran McGill back up on him as he was away on holidays in Spain this week.”

Fighting Fit (9/2) bounced back to form for Philip Dempsey in the Charlie Chute Memorial Handicap Chase.

Ridden by local jockey Gavin Brouder, the J.P. McManus-owned gelding was in third throughout the two-mile-one-furlong contest, took it up at the second last from Irish Blaze and was always holding the pursuing Barnacullia after the last.

“Things didn’t go right for him last year but he is a lovely horse and this year has bounced back. You’d have to be happy with that,” said Dempsey.

“He travelled better than he did at Galway and will stay at this distance. Winter ground won’t bother him and there are a few options for him soon.”

The closing Shanahan Power Irish EBF INH Flat Race went to debutant Springs A Girl (11/2) for Ray Barron and Richard O’Brien.

Owned and bred by brothers Aidan and Colm Ryan, along with their father Michael, the four-year-old filly came out from the pack to catch long-time leader Miss Oreo and then hold off the later challenge of Oneforthefairgreen. The daughter of Irish Wells may well be sold now.

ANDREW Jones, son of prominent owner Chris, enjoyed his first winner in the saddle when partnering his father’s Coeur Sublime (7/2) to win the Listowel Races Supporters Club Failte Abhaile Race for Henry de Bromhead.

The 20-year-old had his mount in second throughout and travelled strongly into the straight before pulling away from the odds-on favourite Minella Mate and John Gleeson.

“It was a great atmosphere today and there was a lovely scream from the crowd going by,” said the winning rider.

“I’m fortunate to be able to ride in the family colours to get going and I’ll tip away and try to get a few more. I’m in college in UCD and being able to do this on the side suits me well at the moment. I ride out with Gavin Cromwell, am hoping to get experience race-riding and will keep riding as an amateur.”

The win provided a double for de Bromhead after Tag Man (4/6) had earlier won the opening John J. Galvin Maiden Hurdle, surviving a bad mistake at the last to go on and win by 14 lengths.

Owned by Roger Brookhouse, the seven-year-old had finished behind the likes of Good Land and Ashroe Diamond last jumps season so this success was overdue.

Rachael Blackmore sent him to the front as they jumped the hurdle in front of the stands on the first circuit and it was mostly plain sailing until the last.