The Ger Lyons trained Thunder Crash landed a gamble as he just prevailed in the Friday Night Racing At Fairyhouse Handicap.

Well-beaten on his debut at Dundalk last September, the son of Footstepsinthesand put in a much improved performance to finish fifth on his next start at Navan in April.

He was fourth on his most recent start at the Curragh, and was sent off the well-supported 10/3 favourite (11s last night and from 7/2 on-course) this evening for his handicap debut.

Stepping up to a mile and a half for the first time, the bay victor was settled behind the leaders by Colin Keane, and was ridden to challenge in third with over two furlongs to race.

He ran around under pressure from over a furlong out, but kept on well when straightened-up, getting up to prevail by a nose. Steelyeyed was the one just denied, and he was returned at 12/1 under Wayne Lordan for Pat Martin. Wild Irish Rose (6/1) wasn't helped by the greenness of the winner, and she was a fast finishing third, another neck back under Ana O'Brien for her father Aidan.

Ger Lyons said afterwards: "It's great the enjoyment that Sean (Jones, owner) gets out of all his winners. It doesn't matter if it's the Railway Stakes or a claimer he gets the same buzz out of it. A winner is a winner.

"He did his best to throw it away through greenness. He was running around all over the place.

"Colin is riding out of his skin, and he's got that gift that few have of knowing where the line is at the right time. It's a pleasure to have him on the team."

STEWARDS REPORTS

The Stewards enquired into possible interference in the latter stages of this race involving Wild Irish Rose, ridden by Anastasia O'Brien, placed third and Thunder Crash, ridden by C.T. Keane, placed first, where it appeared Wild Irish Rose checked when Thunder Crash drifted away from the whip. 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' and took no further action. Mr G.V.Magee,Acting Steward, absented himself from this enquiry.

C.D. Hayes, rider of Bottleofsmoke trained by Gavin Cromwell, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount stumbled on a ridge when rounding the home turn.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee