Dáithí races ahead with winners at Listowel

Whether it’s judging Roses, the women’s fashion stakes or the horses, TV presenter DáithíÓ Sé tends to take it all in his stride.

He was again picking winners at Listowel winners yesterday, having followed trainer Aidan O’Brien with some success.

“I love Listowel and it’s a great excuse to get to Kerry for three days,” said Daithí who was enjoying the races with his wife Rita and members of the Begley family — friends from the Dingle area.

Tomorrow he will be a fashion judge on Ladies Day with Limerick model agency owner Celia Holman-Lee. He formerly covered the races for TG4.

Although crowds were smaller than usual on the opening days of the seven-day harvest meeting, there was a good attendance yesterday for the €160,000 Kerry National, won by 33-1 outsider Faltering Fullback.

Munster GAA supporter of the year Cyril Kavanagh, a regular on Kerry National day at Listowel, had other pressing matters on his mind. He still hasn’t got a ticket for Sunday’s All-Ireland decider between Donegal and Mayo.

“I never miss an All-Ireland. Maybe someone from Kerry will get me a ticket,” joked the Corkman.

Cyril didn’t wear his trademark sombrero, preferring instead a smart black hat perched jauntily on his head. “You have the wrong hat?” quipped a man who recognised him in the crowd.

Cyril has a fancy for Donegal, who he described as a “different breed” — and thinks Galway may have left the hurling title behind them.

By the way, he expects the Cork ladies footballers to win their All-Ireland final.

Not far away from Cyril, a tall red-haired man was attracting lots of company. People gathered around John Joe Hanlon, known to racing folk as ‘Shark’ to hear his words of wisdom on the nags.

Shark, who trains on the Carlow-Kilkenny border, is another regular at Listowel and loves the atmosphere. He hopes to be in the winners’ enclosure before the week is out.

“I would prefer better ground for my horses but it’s still very enjoyable here. It’s great to see the crowds back today.”

Asked if he had any tips for punters, Shark, who got his nickname while playing hurling at school, was a little tentative at first. However, he confided that his banker of the week is Star Nouvelle which runs in a three-mile race today.