'If ever a horse deserved to win a Listed race, it was him' - Cristal Clere takes feature Finishing fifth in a good handicap at Listowel yesterday clearly didn't inconvenience Cristal Clere who returned today to grab Listed honours in the Edmund & Josie Whelan Memorial Listowel Stakes. Norwak Havoc (11/4jf) gave it a good go off the front in this mile assignment, but was under pressure from Cristal Clere approaching the final furlong. The challenger moved into a narrow lead in the final furlong and went on close home by a length and a-quarter at 11/2 in the hands of Seamie Heffernan. Norwalk Havoc had to settle for the runner-up berth under Shane Foley. Cristal Clere ran up a hat-trick in 2023 and this was his first win since then and his fifth overall. John Nallen said: "He is a horse we initially schooled over jumps, but dragged his back and then Seanie (Bowen, nephew and UK-based Flat jockey) was wanting a horse to ride at Dundalk, so we went on the Flat with him. For a horse we bought to go to Belharbour, he is alright and has been very lucky for us." "If ever a horse deserved to win a Listed race, it was him as he had been knocking on the door and he also put Seanie on the map. He has given us great days. "He got stuck in the ground here yesterday and just isn't as competitive with horses around him. He is like me as he likes to get things his own way! "We have had a lot of winners in Listowel over the years, when you could get money off bookmakers. It is a mighty track." Additional reporting by Tom Weekes
