Hello Neighbour remains unbeaten with Grade 1 success at Leopardstown

Hello Neighbour (85/40), winner of a Grade 2 at Leopardstown’s Christmas Festival, was successful at the highest level on Saturday, in the Grade 1 Gannon’s City Recovery & Recycling Services Juvenile Hurdle.

Trained by Gavin Cromwell, the four-year-old gelded son of Harzand, is now unbeaten in two starts over hurdles, having previously won twice on the flat.

Ridden by Keith Donoghue, the Patrick Sheanon-owned winner had three-quarters of a length in hand on Galileo Dame (16/1) from the Joseph O’Brien yard, while Lady Vega Allen (4/1) and Seán O’Keeffe were third, another three-quarters of a length back.

The face favourite, Sainte Lucie (13/8), who bolted up on her Irish debut at Punchestown on December 31st, finished a disappointing last of the 8 runners.

Speaking about first Irish Grade 1 victory in over four years, Gavin Cromwell, admitted:

“He did everything well and stayed galloping to the line. I’m delighted. To win a Grade 1 is brilliant. Tony O’Callaghan sent him to me last year. We took our time with him and everything has gone to plan. He’s a good horse. He ticks all the boxes. He has the pedigree. He jumps well and he has the mind for it. I know we put to hood on him today but that’s just to help him along. He looks good.”