Tag Archive for: Noel Meade

Helvic Dream team lose Galway Hurdle appeal

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Connections of Helvic Dream have lost their appeal against the decision of the stewards to demote their horse to second in the Galway Hurdle.

Helvic Dream and Donagh Meyler won by a head but the stewards deemed there was enough interference caused to Jack Kennedy and Ndaawi to change the finishing order.

Meade’s appeal was considered at a Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board hearing on Wednesday, with Mrs Justice Siobhan Keegan outlining the decision on behalf of the Appeals Body.

She said: “The ultimate decision that we have to reach is whether the stewards erred in their decision on the day and whether we should uphold the decision or reach a different view on this.

“Having viewed all the recordings of the race and considered all of the evidence we have to come to our decision, mindful that these determinations are on the balance of probabilities. We also want to say that we can well see why an appeal has been brought in this case.

“In coming to our conclusion… we cannot be satisfied that the stewards erred in their decision to reverse the placings.

“In summary that is because interference has occurred, and it was caused by Mr Meyler. Whilst Mr Kennedy’s horse may not have obviously lost its own momentum, he was clearly significantly pressed for space so near the rail and he was not able to ride his strongest race. We must therefore dismiss the appeal.”

Meade’s deposit was returned.

Meade confirms appeal against Galway Hurdle verdict

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Noel Meade has confirmed he has lodged an appeal against the demotion of Helvic Dream from first place in last week’s Galway Hurdle.

Meade’s eight-year-old was first past the post, getting the better of the Gordon Elliott-trained Ndaawi by a head, only for the stewards to reverse the placings, ruling interference between the pair had affected the result.

Speaking at Sligo on Wednesday, Meade said: “We put an appeal in yesterday and it’s up on Tuesday, so we’ll see what happens.

“Despite what everyone seems to think, every video I look at seems to suggest that Jack (Kennedy, on Ndaawi) got every chance to win the race and didn’t go through with it as much as anything else.

“He was leaning on my lad as much as my lad was leaning on him.”

Ndaawi awarded Galway Hurdle in dramatic circumstances

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Last year’s runner-up Ndaawi was called the winner of the Guinness Galway Hurdle after first past the post Helvic Dream was demoted by the stewards.

It is 20 years since trainer Noel Meade saddled his most recent winner of the Ballybrit highlight in More Rainbows but he had come close on several occasions since, while Ndaawi’s trainer Gordon Elliott had never won it previously.

Helvic Dream, a Group One winner on the Flat for Meade in the 2021 Tattersalls Gold Cup, was an 8-1 shot in the hands of Donagh Meyler and settled down to fight it out with the 13-2 shot Ndaawi and Jack Kennedy in the home straight.

However, the pair did come close together all the way up the run-in as both horses and jockeys gave their all, with Ndaawi short of room against the far rail, and while Helvic Dream passed the post a head in front the stewards felt the interference was significant enough to reverse the placings.

Elliott, completing a big-race double after landing Wednesday’s Galway Plate with Western Fold, said: “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 win.

“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.

“The stewards have their jobs to do, Jack said it straightaway after the race 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 and the horses have all run well, I can’t believe it.”

Noel Meade intends to appeal the decision
Noel Meade intends to appeal the decision (Damien Eagers/PA)

On future plans for Ndaawi, the trainer added: “There is a $150,000 Flat race in America for him in October now.”

Meade later indicated he will appeal the decision.

He told Racing TV: “I didn’t think we’d lose it, considering the race and considering Jack didn’t have to stop riding.

“I do believe in my heart and soul it’s the wrong decision and I will appeal it.”

Jesse Evans digs deep for Grimes glory

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Jesse Evans made a successful return to the jumping game with a determined display in the Kevin McManus Bookmaker Grimes Hurdle at Tipperary.

Noel Meade’s talented dual-purpose performer was unable to get involved when contesting the Copper Horse Stakes at Royal Ascot a fortnight ago but having previously impressed over hurdles at Ballinrobe, the nine-year-old was among the market principals for this Grade Three contest at 7-2.

With 5-2 favourite Gaucher faltering on the run to the final flight, it was Barry Connell’s veteran Enniskerry who looked most likely to emerge victorious after taking over the lead, but Jesse Evans dug deep on the run-in for Donagh Meyler and passed the post a half-length to the good.

“He’s been great and has brought the owners all over the place and was in Ascot not so long ago. He’s a yard favourite,” said Meyler.

“He’s ground it out and is as tough as nails. He had a nice weight on the ratings and had match fitness on his side which definitely paid off there.

“He’s toughed it out the whole way up the straight. I’m not sure what plans are but he’s won a Graded race today and we’ll celebrate that.”

Meade was at Bellewstown, from where he told Racing TV: “I’m absolutely thrilled – he’s a little diamond. He’s not very big, but he wears his heart on his sleeve and he rarely runs a bad race.

“Jumping helps him as he’s a very slick jumper and he’s a marvellous horse. He’s won a lot of money – Flat, fences and hurdles.”

On future plans, he added: “I don’t think he’d get home in the Galway Plate. We’ll probably enter him in case the ground came up really good, but any time we’ve run him over further than two miles, it didn’t work.

“I’d say it’s unlikely we’ll run him in the Plate and I don’t think we’ll run him in the Galway Hurdle again either. He’s run well in it before, but he’s at the top of the handicap and it would be very hard for him.

“If he went to Galway there’s a chase there he might run in instead, but we’ll see.”

2024 Ladbrokes Champion Chase Trends

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Staged at Down Royal racecourse in Ireland this Saturday’s (2nd November 2024) Ladbrokes Champion Chase (formerly the JNwine.com Chase) always attracts some of the best chasers from both England and Ireland.

Run over 3m the Grade 1 contest has been won by greats such as Kauto Star, Beef Or Salmon, Looks Like Trouble and Florida Pearl in the past.

With top UK trainer Paul Nicholls winning 5 of the last 17 renewals then anything he sends across the Irish Sea should be respected, while the powerful Gordon Elliott camp have also saddled four of the last 9 winners.

Elliott and Nicholls are the joint-winning trainers - both with five successes.

While it's a race the Gigginstown House Stud horses have done very well in recently - they've won the race seven times since 2013.

Here at GEEGEEZ.co.uk we are on hand with all the key stats head of the 2024 renewal – this year run on Saturday 2nd November 2024

Recent Ladbrokes Champion Chase Winners

2023 - GERRI COLOMBE (4/7 fav)
2022 - ENVOI ALLEN (7/2)
2021 - FRODON (3/1)
2020 - THE STORYTELLER (9/2)
2019 – ROAD TO RESPECT (5/2)
2018 – ROAD TO RESPECT (6/4 fav)
2017 – OUTLANDER (16/1)
2016 – VALSEUR LIDO (2/1 fav)
2015 – DON COSSACK (2/11 fav)
2014 – ROAD TO RICHES (9/2)
2013 – ROI du MEE (12/1)
2012 – KAUTO STONE (4/1)
2011 – QUITO de la ROQUE (11/4 fav)
2010 – KAUTO STAR (4/7 fav)
2009 – THE LISTENER (7/1)
2008 – KAUTO STAR (2/5 fav)
2007 – TARANIS (10/11 fav)
2006 – BEEF OR SALMON (11/4)
2005 – No Race
2004 – BEEF OR SALMON (Evs)
2003 – GLENELLY GALE (7/1)
2002 – MORE THAN A STROLL (20/1)
2001 – FOXCHAPEL KING (4/1)

Ladbrokes Champion Chase Betting Trends

20/22 – Had won at least a Grade 2 Chase before
18/22 – Had won over at least 3m over fences before
17/22 – Had won at least 5 times over fences before
16/22 – Aged 8 or older
16/22 – Returned 9/2 or shorter in the betting
15/22 – Had won a Grade 1 Chase before
14/22 – Finished 1st or 2nd last time out
13/22 – Winning distance 2 ½ lengths or more
12/22 – Having their first run of the season
11/22 – Had run at Down Royal before
10/22 – Winning favourites
8/22 – Won by a Gigginstown House Stud-owned horse (7 winners since 2013)
7/22 – Won their last race
6/22– Raced at Aintree last time out
5/22 – Trained by Paul Nicholls
5/22 – Trained by Gordon Elliott (4 of the last 9)
4/22 – Raced at Limerick last time out
Henry De Bromhead has won 2 of the last 7
The last 13 winners aged 9 or younger
The average winning SP in the last 10 runnings is 4/1

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