IT was commented on by many at Fairyhouse over the weekend that the third last fence was proving problematic for some runners. However, that theme was completely at odds with how the season had generally gone at the home of the Irish National. It had been a winter with a considerably reduced proportion of fallers than the weekend just gone.

From the opening day of Fairyhouse’s Winter Festival to Bobbyjo Chase Day (this track’s final fixture with chases before Easter), there were a total of 15 races over fences with 142 runners. Only six of those fell or unseated (4% of all runners).