HOTELIER CHECKS IN
PAUL CARBERRY endured a miserable afternoon at Fairyhouse when he was stood down for the rest of the day after he was unshipped from Busty Brown. Carberry’s plight was exacerbated when Mister Hotelier, his intended mount in the HB Dennis Land Rover Handicap Chase, pounced under deputy Robbie Colgan.
Colgan’s companion (5-1) cashed in on a final-fence gaffe from last year’s winner Sraid Padraig, who finished a half-length second. Winning trainer Colm Murphy 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.
Mags Mullins, meanwhile, was bowled over by Princess Leya (16-1) after pulling 12 lengths clear of Shantou Ed in the Roy Evans/Barry Geraghty Golf Classic Handicap Hurdle. ‘She was off a lovely light weight in her first handicap,’ she gushed. ‘She’s been running behind Little King Robin and has learned to go like the clappers.’
Adriana Des Mottes came out on top in the day’s opener following an absorbing duel with Rule The World to claim victory on her chasing debut at Fairyhouse. Willie Mullins’ Grade Onewinning filly fought back gamely along the run-in to claim victory by a nose.
Rule The World was giving away a lot of weight to Adriana Des Mottes in the Boylesports Irish Grand National At Fairyhouse Beginners Chase and lost very little in defeat as the 13-8 favourite.
Mouse Morris’ inmate jumped cleanly for Bryan Cooper before gaining a definitive lead two out when long-time leader Balbir Du Mathan fell. The winner crept stealthily into the race, though, and appeared to be travelling the best as the protagonists came to the final fence.
Rule The World then regained the initiative with a sound jump, but Adriana Des Mottes responded for pressure under David Casey to strike at odds of 2-1.
Sandra Hughes secured the first winner of her career when Sub Lieutenant landed division one of the Happy 80th Birthday Peter Donnelly Maiden Hurdle.
The 5-4 favourite, ridden by Cooper and owned by Gigginstown House Stud, was not hard pressed to account for Golden Boot by 10 lengths.
Hughes has taken over the training licence at Osborne Lodge following the death of her father, Dessie.