MAG Mullins and her son Danny teamed up for a big race success when Princess Leya ran away with the €50,000 Roy Evans/Barry Geraghty Golf Classic Handicap Hurdle.
The two-mile contest appeared highly competitive beforehand with 16 going to post but the daughter of Old Vic stretched right away before the last for a facile 12 lengths verdict over Shantou Ed, with favourite Katie T keeping on one-paced nearly four lengths further back in third.
Ms Mullins trains the 16/1 chance for Co. Galway-based owner John Fallon, and said: “She was off a lovely light weight in her first handicap. She’s been running behind Little King Robin and has learned to go like the clappers.
“She’s an improving filly and John has her for breeding. He’s a great supporter and went off to Tattersalls recently and bought another filly. I’m really charmed with her today.”
The HB Dennis Land Rover Handicap Chase was the other Grade B joint-feature on the card, and this afforded Colm Murphy a welcome return to the limelight as Mister Hotelier (5/1) gained a somewhat fortunate victory.
Sraid Padraig looked set to land this prize for the second successive year until ploughing through the last and Robbie Colgan, replacing Paul Carberry who was stood down for the afternoon after a fall in the opener, took full advantage for a half-length success.
Murphy, who trains the gelding for Mark McDonagh from Bunratty, said: “He deserved a nice pot. He was a bit unlucky in Galway the last day as he thought he’d done enough when he hit the front. My biggest worry today was hitting the front too soon, and you probably won’t see him now until Christmas.”
The late Dessie Hughes trained his first and last winner at this venue, and so it was appropriate that his daughter Sandra opened her account here as Sub Lieutenant readily justified 5/4 favouritism in division one of the Happy 80th Birthday Peter Donnelly Maiden Hurdle.
An awkward jump at the last made no difference as Bryan Cooper’s mount came home 10 lengths clear of Golden Boot.
“We’ve always thought a lot of this horse, and dad always had a special place in his heart for him. Fairyhouse has been a lucky place for us in the past, and it’s great to get the first one.
“He was very impressive so we’ll see how he comes out of this race and have a look at Christmas. We’ve a great team in the yard and they are all working very hard,” said Ms Hughes.
Cooper also sported the Gigginstown House colours to take division two with the Tony Martin-trained Marinero (10/1) who got the better of a protracted duel from the penultimate flight with Long Dog by half a length.
“He won his bumper well here, and jumped well which was great. He wears the hood as he was a little bit free as a young horse but he’s coped on now,” said Martin.
Tycoon Prince (7/4) brought up a treble for Gigginstown House Stud in the Kettles Hotel Supporting Fingal Ravens GAA Fundraiser (Pro-Am) Flat Race, and trainer Gordon Elliott holds him in the highest regard.
After the Trans Island four-year-old drew clear from over a furlong out for David Mullins to easily beat the odds-on Royal Caviar, Elliott said: “He’s a proper, big horse, and a chaser in the making. I’m not sure if he’ll run again this season. I’ll have to talk to the owners but we’ll mind him.”
The opening Boylesports Irish Grand National At Fairyhouse Beginners Chase is likely to prove a good source of winners, and Susannah Ricci’s four-year-old Adriana Des Mottes (2/1) took advantage of a 20lb weight concession from Rule The World. As she overcame a slight peck on landing at the last, getting back up on the line under David Casey to score by a nose.
“She gave a great exhibition of jumping except for the last, and David did well to get her back up,” said Willie Mullins.
“I might see if I can find a mares’ race for her next, although she will be well entered up. We decided to hold her up a bit today as it was her first time over fences and we knew there would be plenty of pace.”
Paul Carberry missed out on a further winner as Ger Fox took over the reins on Couleur France (7/2), trained by Noel Meade for Patricia Hunt, in the Irish Racing Yearbook Rated Novice Hurdle.
The Flemensfirth gelding asserted before the last and drew right away on the run-in to beat Mr Diablo by eight lengths.
“He jumped a bit better and was suited by the more galloping track. He was probably beaten by a good horse (Drumacoo) at Thurles last time,” said Meade.
The J.P. McManus-owned Peoples Park was confidently ridden by Mark Walsh to end a long barren run for trainer Tom Taaffe in the Hire2k Handicap Hurdle.
The well-backed 3/1 favourite needed to be driven out on the run-in to get the better of Eight Till Late by three quarters of a length, with Taaffe commenting: “He’s a big, immature slow learner who is starting to cop on. It looked like the extra half-mile suited, and chasing will be his game long term. He jumped well and travelled well.”
ACTING STEWARDS
C. Magnier, S. Barry, T. Hunt, C. Cunningham, S. Quinn.
HORSES TO FOLLOW
RULE THE WORLD (M.F. Morris) Smart sort over hurdles (rated 156) and looks sure to do well over fences judged on his effort here when just failing to give a talented four-year-old 20lb.