Seán Flanagan splits with Noel Meade, going freelance

“Noel said he was getting lower in numbers and that he was going to use the best available, so I said, ‘No bother,’ and that was it,” revealed Flanagan of a split he insists was not acrimonious.

Peaches and Cream and Sean Flanagan jump the last to win the Colm Quinn BMW Handicap Steeplechase at Punchestown last month.

Seán Flanagan’s prosperous partnership with trainer Noel Meade has come to an end, with the Wexford pilot determined to put in the necessary graft to make his new freelance role work.

Meade has increased his emphasis on the Flat code with considerable success in recent years, as highlighted by Helvic Dream securing his first Group 1 in the Tattersalls Gold Cup last year and Layfayette claiming Group 2, Group 3 and listed honours already this term.