Stewards enquiry rewards Elliott's Ndaawi

GALWAY waited, and waited some more, for a €105k pin to drop following a lengthy stewards' inquiry into a messy finish to the Galway Hurdle.

- BY DEREK FOLEY

Noel Meade’s Helvic Dream had beaten Gordon Elliott's Ndaawi to the winning post in real time.

But over 15 minutes later the two trainers were still standing beside each other outside the Stewards Room: where the on-the-spot temperature was distinctly cool as the rest of Galway baked in the sunshine.

"Jack (Kennedy, Ndaawi's pilot) came in and he actually called it," Elliott said.

"He said we will definitely get it and that was even before the stewards inquiry was called. He says, 'I'll definitely get it'.

"He said, though, for the last probably 60 yards, he never tried to correct his horse and straighten him up to the line.

"So that’s just what Jack thought.

"To be honest, I probably have it to lose now, if I win it is great."

Meade wasn't for conceding anything either as time dragged on, and the tension heightened.

"It's a business for us," he said, doubling down. "I’ve told the story before. But last year, we were looking for Sam (Ewing) to ride a horse in the Plate.