THERE were good results all around at Fairyhouse this year. Gavin Cromwell had his first Grade 1 winner when Jer’s Girl landed the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle on Sunday. Kerry Lee had her first Grade 1 winner when Kylemore Lough landed the Ryanair Gold Cup 70 minutes later, and she followed up with Top Gamble in the Grade 2 Norman’s Grove Chase on Tuesday.

Kerry Lee wasn’t the only raider who went home with the booty. Dan Skelton landed the Grade 2 Keelings Irish Strawberry Hurdle with Value At Risk and Kim Bailey won the Grade 3 John and Chich Fowler Mares’ Chase with Emily Gray. The British raiders added to the meeting, no question. It was just a pity that there were only two British-trained horses in the Irish National.

And Barry Geraghty had five winners, Jer’s Girl and Kylemore Lough and Slowmotion and Sutton Place and Coney Island, four for his boss J.P. McManus and Kylemore Lough for Kerry Lee, a Grade 1 double on the first day, a Grade 2 double on the second. It was good stuff from another local lad.

MONDAY’S renewal proved once again how difficult it is to carry big weights in the Irish National.

Going into Monday’s race, 11 of the previous 12 winners had carried 10st 8lb or less, and all the previous 15 winners had carried less than 11st. And sure enough, the first eight home on Monday carried 10st 9lb or less.

Also, five horses carried 11st or more, and all five – including two who were sent off among the first seven in the betting – were pulled up. Remember next year, the Irish National is a race for the low weights.