THE fact that there were three races at two and a half miles over hurdles on the opening day at Fairyhouse (when conditions were heavy but not noticeably getting worse) makes for ready comparisons and confident conclusions. Those must include that neither Laurina (Grade 1 Mares Novice Hurdle Championship) nor Pallasator (Grade 2 Underwriting Exchange Novice Hurdle) had to run especially fast to win their respective races, for they were both slower overall than was Nobody Home in winning an ordinary novice handicap.

More than that, the sectionals from four out and three out were very similar for all three races, though Laurina was several lengths quicker than the other two from two out and the last.