The Christy Roche trained Falcon Crest was the heavily backed and impressive winner of the Christmas Parties At Fairyhouse December 19th Maiden Hurdle at Fairyhouse today, completing a double for Champion Owner J.P. McManus and retained jockey Barry Geraghty.

The son of Milan had shown a good level of ability in two bumpers last season and, on reappearance today, was heavily supported from 7/2 this morning to eventual 7/4 second favourite.

In the end, Falcon Crest ran out an effortless winner, stretching ahead on the run-in for an hard held length and a half win over Crown Of Gold

Roche later commented "this horse is quick and wants good ground, while the one that won at Naas (Chesterfieldavenue) is a different type and wants a dig and further.

"He jumps well especially over those (Easyfix Hurdles), and Barry (Geraghty) said that's a department you don't have to worry about. It's nice to have today over.

"Ideally I'd like to go for a winners-of-one but there are not that many coming up, and you nearly have to jump in the deep end.

"Down the line I would see him as a two-mile chaser."

McManus and Geraghty were earlier successful with Squouateur in the earlier maiden hurdle.

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Alan Magee