FRESH from a memorable weekend at Down Royal, Gordon Elliott got back amongst the winners when Fakiera and Jack Kennedy edged a desperately tight finale to the Glenview And Rathbarry Stud Maiden Hurdle over two miles.

This Tim O’Driscoll-owned gelding filled the runner-up spot behind some decent sorts on his initial outings over timber last spring and he returned in good shape from an absence stretching back to March.

Fakiera (15/8) had to fight hard to subdue the favourite Gabynako in the straight and a quicker jump at the last by the latter appeared to give him the upper hand. However, Jack Kennedy’s mount simply refused to yield and got back on terms to force a bobbing finish which went his way by a nose. The front pair finished some 40 lengths clear of the remainder.

“His form last season entitled him to win a maiden. I think he’ll come on plenty from this and he’ll improve over further. He’ll head for a novice hurdle,” declared Elliott.

Change in fortune

After being touched off with Gabynako and having You Say Nothing falling when holding every chance in an earlier handicap, Gavin Cromwell and Jonathan Moore enjoyed a change in fortune with Wadiyatink Now in the 80-102 rated two-and-a-half-mile handicap hurdle. The top-weight, who is owned by Matthew and Raymond Grimley, was making it two wins from three starts since joining Cromwell and did so with ease.

The 4/1 shot had plenty to spare in winning by three and a half lengths, looking like one that could easily add to her in the coming weeks.

The reliable Jeff Kidder came good on his third start over hurdles in the Tattersalls Cheltenham November Sale @ Fairyhouse 3yo Maiden Hurdle to maintain Noel Meade and Sean Flanagan’s fine run of form.

The 6/5 favourite possibly didn’t jump as well as some of his rivals and came under pressure nearing the turn-in, but he showed a very willing attitude for his rider and cut down Bigz Belief around 100 yards from home to prevail by two and a quarter lengths.

The Albert Dravins and Eamonn Scanlon-owned gelding had filled the runner-up spot on his two previous outings over jumps which included the first juvenile hurdle of the season at Roscommon in August.

A GOOD run for Peter Fahey continued with Royal Kahala who impressed in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Bumper where she returned to the form of her highly promising debut second to Castra Vetera at Naas last March.

This Flemensfirth mare, who is owned by the Winning Ways Starlet Syndicate, was ridden by James O’Sullivan after her intended partner Seamus Fahey omitted to complete the health screening protocols.

The 2/1 favourite put her rivals to the sword in style over the last couple of furlongs to win by 12 lengths and look like a mare who will have a future at a higher level. A listed bumper at Navan on November 22nd is among her options.

Klassy Kay, a rare runner for Willie Mullins in a race of this grade, justified 4/7 favouritism on her debut for the champion trainer in the 80-95 rated Jetaway @ Arctic Tack Stud Handicap over two miles.

The Syndi 101 Partnership-owned daughter of Presenting travelled very nicely for Paul Townend and looked to have the race sewn up when improving to lead before two out. Trixie Mac did get the market leader off the bridle on the run-in but Klassy Kay asserted dealt with that challenge to move on again and score by two and a half lengths.

The other division of that handicap hurdle went to the Eoin McCarthy-trained Mattie’s Mountain (7/2) and Gearoid Brouder.

The complexion of this race changed several times in the straight with You Say Nothing crashing out at the second when going smoothly in a share of the lead.

This left Running Skeard in front but he was then picked off by Listenheretomejack who lost out to the Denis Enright-owned Mattie’s Mountain on the run-in.

THE Echo Boy, who had run plenty of solid races since making his debut at this track almost two years ago, got off the mark in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase over two miles, five furlongs.

In a race confined to horses rated 116 or less over hurdles, The Echo Boy (8/1) dominated from the front and turned in a fine round of jumping for Conor Maxwell en route to an easy 16-length triumph over Hostage To Fortune.

“I thought he’d have won a race before now. He settles a bit better on that slower ground which helped him. A longer trip wouldn’t be an issue for him,” stated Dermot McLoughlin who trains the gelding for Fidelma Toole.

Another horse to record the first success of their career was the locally-based 12-year-old Vodka Society who, after being sent to the track on foot, rewarded those that backed from as big as 40/1 in the morning into 18/1 for the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Chase.

Sean O’Keeffe’s mount was conspicuous by the ease with which he was travelling from the fourth last and he cruised clear of his opponents between the last two fences to finish with 15 lengths to spare.

“He’s been hard to train and he used to lose his race in the horsebox,” remarked David Dunne who trains the gelding for his uncle Paul. “I actually trotted him to the track today so that he didn’t have his race run before we got here.”