The Eoghan O'Grady trained The Book Thief landed a touch for his supporters at Fairyhouse today, winning the www.fairyhouseracecourse.ie Maiden Hurdle under Davy Russell.

Steadily backed from 5/1 in the morning into an eventual 6/4 SP, the son of Deploy outbattled his less experienced rivals to win by two and a half lengths.

O'Grady's father and The Book Thief's owner Arthur O'Grady later commented “The Book Thief has been a great servant and never runs a bad race. He more than deserved that win and we'll go for a novice hurdle next.”