Half Barrell, which was controversially demoted at Galway earlier this month, was one of three winning favourites as the Harvest Festival concluded at Listowel on Saturday.

On ground that rode extremely testing Half Barrell got up right on the line to short head Multeen Jet (10 to 1) for the three miles marathon Golden Vale Handicap Hurdle.

"Derek Kelly has now won five races on Half Barrell - six if you include Galway where they were very unfortunate to lose out in the stewards' room," said Galway owner, trainer and breeder Val O'Brien.

Getting reminders with a circuit to go, and a seemingly beaten fifth approaching the second last, O'Brien's 3 to 1 favourite finally emerged victorious in a race in which champion jockey Ruby Walsh was in trouble aboard the fifth placed Three Rivers.

On his first day back after more than three weeks off with a broken collar bone, Walsh was stood down for the forthcoming Fairyhouse, Tipperary and Downpatrick meetings for using his whip with excessive frequency.

Gossie Madera and Jacks Estate, in the money here on Wednesday, returned to succeed for trainers Liam Reilly and Declan Gillespie.

Gossie Madera was in front early in the home straight in the Mermaids Handicap and kept on strongly for Seamus Heffernan to hold off Sharp Gossip whose stablemate Jacks Estate turned the £15,000 Kaliber Handicap over a mile into a procession.

Lord Heavens, who started favourite for the Kerry Petroleum Chase, had to be pulled up when his amateur rider lost both his reins and irons.