Dactik s love affair with Fairyhouse continues and the seven-year-old struck for the third time over the course and distance when successful in the Tote Sports Lounge Novice Handicap Hurdle.

Davy Russell was up for the previous couple of victories but with the champion jockey on Romanesco (turned in a very laboured effort in 7th) for Gigginstown it was left to Paul Carberry to guide Noel Brett's charge for the first time. Romanesco was later reported by Russell to have hung badly throughout and he was found to have a respiratory tract infection post race.

Carberry was always likely to enjoy this sweet traveller and the Diktat gelding unleashed his undoubted change of gear from between the last two.

He had his race won when launching himself at the last but that did little to halt his progress and eventually Dactik crossed the line a comfortable seven and a half lengths to the good from Dunroe Boy

"He did it well. He was a bit lucky at the last but he got him over and he kept going," said Clonmel-based Brett of the Never Had Luck Syndicate's pride and joy. (GC & EM)