The Mick Halford trained The Last Don took the fourth race on the card at Listowel this afternoon, the Bryan McMahon Qualified Riders Race, for owner/rider Paul McMahon.
The son of Redback made all, setting a slow pace, before upping the tempo from five furlongs out. He was joined by the 11/10fav Run For Sol approaching the straight but he found more and kept on gamely to hold off the late run of Pires by two and a half lengths at the line.
The 5yo gelding was having just his second start for Mick Halford, having previously being with Charles O’Brien. He won four times in England but this was his first success this side of the Irish Sea.
Winning trainer Mick Halford said afterwards: "He has a high rating in England but he lost his way a bit. Paul gave him a brilliant ride. The instructions I gave him was to ride him as you find him.
"We will try and find another qualified riders race now and we might go for the GPT on the Monday of Galway Festival."
