The legendary trainer is just one victory away from reaching the milestone

Noel Meade's wait for his 3,000 winner goes on after his two runners at Down Royal on Saturday suffered defeat.

The legendary trainer is just one victory away from reaching the milestone and Ben Hur looked to have a great chance of doing it for him in the Kildress Plumbing Handicap Hurdle.

The four-year-old was sent off the 6/5 favourite under Sam Ewing, but unseated his jockey at the very first hurdle after making a bad mistake as another Meath trainer won the 2m1f contest with a 50/1 shot.

Gavin Cromwell's Stuntman Steve recorded his third career victory and first since June 2025 under seven-pound claimer Alix Balfe, with the Gordon Elliott-trained Lygon Lad (14/1) coming second under Josh Williamson.

Meade's other runner on the day, Charlie Luciano (11/1), was pulled up in the three-mile handicap chase, while Affordale Fury was a non-runner in the feature Grade 1 BetVictor, Remembering Envoi Allen Champion Chase.

However, the 75-year-old could reach 3,000 winners on the final day of the flat season at the Curragh on Sunday.

He runs Joe Cool in a 1m4f maiden. The gelding finished second to Ballybawn Belter over a furlong shorter at Killarney earlier this month and it would mean a lot to his trainer if he could go on better this time around.