Report | Fairyhouse 28th April 2019

Fairyhouse proved to be a lucky venue for Wexford handler Donnchadh Doyle who recorded a double at the County Meath venue.

Get In Robin secured the first of Doyle's successes in the Goffs Punchestown Sale four-year-old mares' maiden under James Walsh. The daughter of Robin Des Champs got off the mark at the second time of asking having fallen on her debut at Ballyarthur in March.

Having made most of the running throughout, the winning mare went on to defeat Calle Malva by a distance of two lengths. The runner up came home strongly to finish a good second for Alan Donoghue.

The winning handler, Donnchadh Doyle said: “That was good, she was running well the first day when she fell on bottomless ground. She was very good today so we are delighted. James (Walsh) gave her a good ride and she will head on to one of the sales now.”

Doyle enjoyed a quick double when taking the Goffs Punchestown Sale four-year-old geldings' maiden with Faivoir. In a race that was run at a strong pace, the Coastal Path gelding came from the middle of the bunch to hit the front before the last.

Having made a mistake at the final obstacle, Faivoir was picked up by Kevin Corrigan to go on and secure victory over the Warren Ewing-trained Favori de Champdou by a neck. The winner was purchased at Arqana for €33,000 as a two-year and will now head to the sales.

“He is a grand horse, it was a chance ride for Kevin, it didn’t divide so he got the leg up and got the job done.
This lad has plenty of speed, they went a good gallop up front but he quickened up well. He jumped well bar the mistake at the last," said the winning Ballindaggin handler.

The Bar Racing Club five-year-old and upwards unplaced maiden went to Cormac Farrell with Top Man.
Owned by former three-day event rider Richard Irwin, the gelding got off the mark at the third time of asking here under Shane Fitzgerald.

Always up near the pace, the son of Milan held the advantage when Collinwood Court fell leaving the winner six lengths clear. The runner up, Broomhill, was one for the Colin McKeever and Wilson Dennison partnership.  Having cost €38,000 as a store at the Derby sale, Top Man was providing his owner with a first point-to-point winner.

The winning owner, Richard Irwin, said; “I’m from Armagh, but Cormac and I evented together years ago so he has a few of my horses. This lad has been improving away and the penny has really dropped. Shane (Fitzgerald) said he was very good, he is from a great family.

"His half-sister Get In Robin actually won the four-year-olds here today also. We are commercial so he will most likely be sold now.”

The Colin McKeever and Wilson Dennison partnership went one better in the Glanbia five-year-old geldings' maiden with Islandray.The son of Milan was finally rewarded for his previously consistent efforts when getting off the mark at the ninth time of asking under Roger Quinlan.

Never too far from the pace, the winner found plenty when asked to fend off the challenge of the Sean Doyle-trained First Revolution by half-a-length.

The winning handler, Colin McKeever, said: “He had been very consistent all year and deserved to win one. He is a real staying chaser in the making. He is a big horse and he will only improve as time goes on. He is entered up in the Doncaster Sales, but he might go for a winners’ race first.”

Gerry Spain and Sam Curling took the Merribelle Stable open novice riders with Some Are Lucky, the Gold Well gelding has now recorded seven wins from nine starts this season.

The winner made his move on the way to the fourth last to open up an advantage before staying on gamely in the home straight to fend off the market favourite Kruzhlinin who is handled by Gordon Elliot.

“He showed how good he is today. He has been in great form, he takes his racing so well. He was very good there, I just had to commit and put the race to bed. We will see where things go now with him. Sam is having a brilliant year and it’s great to keep it going,” said winning rider Gerry Spain.

The Executors in the estate of Henry Reeves (Deceased) five-year-old mares' maiden went to Peter Croke and owner Maurice Sheehy. In the hands of Cian Cullinane, the daughter of Robin Des Champs secured a one-length victory over the Eoghan O'Grady-trained Springfield Lodge. The seven-year-old was making her debut here.

Winning handler Peter Croke said: "This is a very good mare who just had a few problems. Fair play to her owners for persevering and keeping her in training.  She has really started to improve in the last few months. It was a great ride by Cian (Cullinane) also."