Dubai Devils shows off his fitness in Fairyhouse

A lovely round of jumping saw Dubai Devils put the opposition to the sword in the extended three mile one handicap chase at Fairyhouse.

The 9/2 favourite was always to the fore under 7lb-claimer Paddy O'Hanlon and moved to the head of affairs before five out.

He was given the squeeze by O'Hanlon rounding the home bend and the pair increased their lead over Fox Le Bel at the second last.

The 10-year-old gelding was clear racing to the last and sauntered home by 18 lengths. Getaday came through for a remote second at 5/1 and was five and a half lengths in front of Fox Le Bel (13/2).

“He sent him for home and that was it,” said trainer Paul Stafford.

“I said to him before it went out that all he does is stay at a pace. I've struggled to get him fit this year.

“He's been off a couple of times with touches of leg trouble but thankfully we've got him back.

“He won't stop eating and I struggle to get the weight off him and get enough work into him to get him right.

“We said we'd run him to get him fit and run him to keep him fit. I don't do an awful lot with him at home and he's just ticked over since Navan.

“He was at the beach, walking in the water trying to keep his legs sound, and touch wood he'll be alright in the morning.

“I can only make day to day plans with him and didn't look any further than today.

“He's been threatening to do that for a while and is at his peak now fitness wise.

“He's versatile enough ground wise but I can't chance him on better ground. He's minded like a child and is one of the favourites at home.

“My nephew rides him out and a little pal of his as well, they come at the weekends. He's an absolute saint of a horse.

“I'm delighted for the owners, the Skellys, who have been with me a long time. God be good to Lar Skelly who passed away in the summer.

“They've been good to me and as long as I've been training they've had horses with me and stuck by me.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson