Bythesametoken springs 'poignant' surprise victory at Listowel

"He’s getting on a bit, but we decided to go again, to see if he still had the spark," said trainer Ross O'Sullivan about Bythesametoken

Bythesametoken and Danny Gilligan (left) win the Kerry Dairy Handicap Steeplechase from Jasko Des Dames at Listowel. Pic: Healy Racing

Without a win for almost two years, the Ross O’Sullivan-trained Bythesametoken proved a shock winner of the Kerry Dairy Ireland Handicap Chase, the feature on the opening day of the seven-day Listowel festival.

Patiently handled by Danny Gilligan, the 11-year-old came from off the pace to get the better of Jasko Des Dames and favourite Battle Of Ridgeway.