One-two for de Bromhead in Gowran maiden Henry de Bromhead had a one-two in Gowran’s Cantor Fitzgerald Ireland Maiden Hurdle over two miles with stable jockey Darragh O’Keeffe on the right one. It was a mighty close-run thing though, as the margin of victory for The Captain's Word was only a nose. In a slowly-run contest, the 10/11 favourite sat second and went on after two out. He looked set to win readily, but a mistake at the last meant the picture suddenly changed as Jordan Gainford’s mount Lirakali built up a head of steam on the rail. The market leader was joined on the run-in, but just prevailed on the nod. The pair briefly came close after the last and the stewards had a look, but Gainford’s horse had enough room to challenge and the result was left unchanged after an enquiry. A five-year-old by Poets Word, the winner is owned by Edward Walsh, Tadhg O’Sullivan, Lord Waterford and Richard Ames. “It was a nice performance; he was still a little bit green when I got to the front after jumping the second-last," said O’Keeffe. “He showed a good attitude from the last to the line to get back up. “I thought initially Jordan had got up but my fella did well to gather himself again. It was good.” Additional reporting by Gary Carson
