Fulysse returns to land a gamble

Fulysse rallied to winning effect in the John Thomas McNamara Series (QR) Handicap Hurdle at Fairyhouse.

She raced clear with Carnet De Stage in the home straight but looked vulnerable when the latter appeared to be travelling the better with a narrow lead two out. Sefton Warrior picked up the chase and rapidly cut into the lead in third approaching the last.

Fulysse really stuck to her guns over the last, though, and began to draw clear halfway up the run-in. Sefton Warrior wasn't done with, however, and stayed on to get to within a neck of the all-out winner.

Fulysse landed a gamble from 33/1 to 12/1. The runner-up was returned the same SP and came home the guts of five lengths in front of Carnet De Stage (9/2).

This was Fulysse's first run since finishing sixth in a handicap hurdle at Gowran Park in October last year.

"We're delighted with that. She has a few problems and she's hard to keep right,” said Matthew Smith.

“She ran well in a beginners chase for us in Tipperary but she's had her problems. We said we'd give her one more chance and it worked out.

“She appears to have a bit of ability and that was her first run for a good while. It was nice to get a winner and Paul (Bannon) gave her a great ride in fairness to him.”

The Stewards interviewed Mr A. Leahy, rider of Sefton Warrior (GB), concerning his use of the whip in the latter stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who accepted that he was in breach of the whip regulation and offered no other explanation other than he was fighting out a close finish. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards found the rider in breach of Regulation 10.3.(g)(frequency) and having taken his record into account suspended him for three race days.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson