Jadanli powers to Gold Cup victory

JADANLI provided Co Galway trainer Paul Gilligan and jockey Andrew Lynch with further big-race success when proving a 25/1 shocker in the Grade 1 Powers Gold Cup at Fairyhouse yesterday.

On a day when Davy Russell proved the star at Fairyhouse with a superb treble, the combination which savoured Cheltenham Festival glory with Berties Dream struck in a grief-filled feature as Jadanli, left in command by the exit of luckless Zaarito three fences from home, plugged on to beat Deal Done by a wide margin. Favourite Shakervilz, never travelling, was behind when unseating Ruby Walsh at the last, before being remounted to take third.

This was a landmark success for eight-year-old Jadanli, sidelined with leg trouble for more than two years, before returning to the track last December. And trainer Gilligan took pride in the horse’s achievement. “It’s great to win a Grade 1 with him. He was off for two years with a leg and after he won at Navan the last day he was lame. So it has taken a lot of work to get him here.”