The Holy One battled gamely to land the opener at Fairyhouse on Easter Monday, the Farmhouse Foods Novice Handicap Hurdle.

Having finally made the breakthrough over flights at Thurles in January, the Jessica Harrington trained six-year-old since disappointed at Limerick.

Sent off at 20/1 this afternoon, the David Bobbett owned bay was never far off the pace and led his rivals on the turn for home.

He appeared vulnerable approaching the last, however he bravely pulled out more when challenged by Kuiper Belt (25/1) and Jon Ess (9/1), with a neck and half a length separating them at the line. Elm Grove (16/1) was another three parts of a length back in fourth, while the 11/2 favourite Quantatmental was a disappointing fourteenth.

Paddy Kennedy partnered The Holy One to victory, while his brother Jack was aboard the runner-up.

"He drifted out a bit but Paddy said that if he had pulled his stick through he would have hit the other horse," said Harrington.

"He battled well and I'm delighted with him. I don't know if the ground was just a bit too sticky for him or what happened in Limerick last time.

"He loves that good ground and he'll head on to Punchestown now."

STEWARDS REPORTS

M.A. Enright, rider of One In All In trained by Gearoid O'Loughlin, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount pulled a shoe in-running.

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Quantatmental, trained by Gavin Cromwell, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to have pulled a shoe but was otherwise post race normal.

The Stewards enquired into possible interference on the run to the line involving Kuiper Belt (USA), ridden by J.W. Kennedy, placed second, The Holy One, ridden by P.D. Kennedy, placed first and Jon Ess, ridden by R.A. Doyle, placed third. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards made no alteration to the Judge's placings. They did however find P.D. Kennedy in breach of Rule 214 by riding carelessly and having taken his record into account suspended him for one race day.

The Stewards interviewed J.W. Kennedy, rider of Kuiper Belt (USA), concerning his use of the whip in the latter stages of this race where he appeared to hit his horse down the shoulder with his whip in the forehand position. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards accepted the rider's explanation that exceptional circumstances prevailed and took no further action.

The Stewards interviewed R.A. Doyle, rider of Jon Ess, concerning his use of the whip in the latter stages of this race where he appeared to hit his horse down the shoulder with his whip in the forehand position. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards accepted the rider's explanation that exceptional circumstances prevailed and took no further action.

The Stewards interviewed P.D. Kennedy, rider of The Holy One, concerning his use of the whip in the latter stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards found the rider in breach of Reg. 10 3.(g)(excessive frequency) and having taken his record into account suspended him for 1 race day.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson