CHRISTY Moore once sang that there was agony and ecstasy below at the Galway Races, and you'd be forgiven for thinking he was foreshadowing the dramatic events of the 2025 Guinness Galway Hurdle.

There were wild scenes in the west as the Ladies' Day feature was unprecedentedly decided in the stewards’ room, with the locally-owned Ndaawi (13/2) promoted to first after finishing a head behind Helvic Dream (8/1) in a no-quarter-given battle up the straight.

Tension and suspense lingered for several minutes around the Galway winner’s enclosure after Jack Kennedy and Donagh Meyler were summoned into an inquiry over interference suffered to Ndaawi on the run-in. There was little doubt that Helvic Dream had pressurised the second-past-the-post on the run to the line, though the discussion over whether he’d keep the race also involved the fact Kennedy never stopped riding Ndaawi.

That said, Meyler hadn’t been seen to make a serious effort to pull his mount off last year’s second and was using his whip in his left hand; leaning right into the Gordon Elliott-trained five-year-old. When the margin between the pair was only a head, there was always a strong chance the result would be reversed and that was exactly the decision that stewards arrived at.

For Helvic Dream’s trainer Noel Meade, it was heartache for the third time in four years in this race, having finished second in two of the previous three renewals with Jesse Evans (also second in the previous day’s Plate). Today’s circumstances mean this will have stung much more, though, and he has signalled an intention to appeal the stewards' decision.

For Elliott, there would have been some mixed emotions about beating his great friend and fellow Co Meath man, but the victory meant he finally ticked the Galway Hurdle off his bucket list - and he was completing the Plate-Hurdle double in the same week. Expect wild celebrations in the county tonight - likely in the Earl Inn in Kiltullagh - with the Earls family of Easyfix renown the winning owners.

“Jack said as soon as he came in - before they even called the stewards’ inquiry - that he thought he’d get it,” said Elliott.

“He felt Helvic Dream had leaned on top of him for the last 50 yards, with intimidation all the way up to the line. Donagh didn’t try to correct his horse or change his whip. To be honest, I’m delighted I won the race but myself and Noel are the greatest of friends. There’s not a day goes by when we don’t talk.

“I’m delighted for the owners, who are really big supporters of mine. It’s just not the same when you get it in the stewards’ room. Still, rules are rules. If they’re broken, the result deserves to be changed.

“We had been waiting for today the whole way along. The further he went today, the better he was, in terms of his jumping. I haven’t spoken to the boys yet but there’s a $150,000 flat race for him in America in October. Hopefully this will pay the expenses for that! It’s unbelievable to do the Plate-Hurdle double; we’ll enjoy it.”

“It was a massive show of character from Meyler to come out and deliver a cracking winning ride on Strong Link just minutes after the inquiry was settled, landing the Guinness Novice Hurdle for trainer Ross O’Sullivan.

The in-form rider was understandably still visibly upset when asked about losing the €270,000 feature after getting back on the scoresheet.

“It’s a horror story, really,” said Meyler. “It is what it is and we’ll have to pick ourselves up off the ground and go again.”

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board's head of communications Niall Cronin said of the stewards' decision: "Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence of both riders, the raceday stewards were satisfied that the first past the post had caused interference and with the winning margin being a head, they were satisfied that, as a consequence of the interference, the placings should be reversed."

The Raceday Stewards enquired into possible interference in the closing stages of this race involving Ndaawi (GB), ridden by J.W. Kennedy, placed second and Helvic Dream, ridden by D. Meyler, placed first, where it appeared that interference may have occurred. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. J. W. Kennedy stated that he received sustained and increasing pressure from his outside, from the last to the line which he felt had cost him the race. D. Meyler stated that he received contact initially and added that his mount pulls up in front but felt that the best horse had won. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards were of the opinion that Helvic Dream had caused interference to Ndaawi and as a result of this interference had improved its finishing position. As a consequence, the Raceday Stewards reversed the placings of the first and second placed horses and amended the result to read as follows:

Amended Result:

First: Ndaawi

Second: Helvic Dream

Third: Casheldale Lad

Fourth: Tounsivator

Fifth: Gaucher

Sixth: Jalila Moriviere

Furthermore, the Raceday Stewards were of the opinion that D. Meyler was in breach of Rule 214 in that he had ridden carelessly, and having considered his record in this regard (first offence) The Raceday Stewards suspended D. Meyler for two racedays.

Mr. Justice Raymond Groarke recused himself from this enquiry and Mr. John O'Shaughnessy acted as Chairman at this enquiry.

J.W. Kennedy, rider of Ndaawi (GB), trained by Gordon Elliott, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount received interference from the last to the line.

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Mr Percy, trained by Joseph Patrick O'Brien, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Puturhandstogether, trained by Joseph Patrick O'Brien, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.