Gateau De Miel wins Fairyhouse opener

Gateau De Miel recovered from a Fairyhouse fall last month to win at the venue today, landing the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase for trainer Henry De Bromhead and jockey Rachael Blackmore.

The 119-rated French-bred was a faller on October 8 and today contested a race confined to horses rated 0-109 over hurdles, defying a market drift (evens to 15/8f) to win readily under a patient ride.

De Bromhead said “I was delighted with that and Rachael Blackmore gave him a super ride. John (Byrne, owner) is here as well as and Hugh Bleahen, who we bought him from, so we're getting a real follow up service.

“I was a bit concerned about the ground but he handled it well. He looked to be running very well the last day but I'd say I was getting the ground wrong, to be fair to him. He came back a bit sore so we said we'd try him with a bit more ease.

“This looked a very suitable race conditions-wise and while he's been in a while, we'll definitely look for something else in the next few weeks.”

Quotes from Gary Carson