Getabird back to his best at Fairyhouse

Getabird put a disappointing effort at Cheltenham last month behind him with an impressive all-the-way victory in the Rathbarry & Glenview Studs Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse.

The six-year-old gelding ran far too keenly when favourite for the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and eventually finished a well-beaten eleventh behind Summerville Boy.

However he was much happier here full of running under Paul Townend entering the straight and, despite a slight mistake at the second last, was soon in control.

The evens favourite was clear before the last and went right away on the run-in to score by 12 lengths. Draconien kept on one paced to complete a 1-2 for trainer Willie Mullins, with Hardline finding no extra another length and three quarters away in third.

Mullins said, “He’s back to himself. Paul was brave on him and said he was going to ride him like that. He enjoyed himself out in front with his ears pricked all the way. Hopefully he’ll go to Punchestown now.”

Townend said, “He came here today after blanking out the last day. I rode him like the horse we thought we had at home before we went to Cheltenham. Thankfully the race couldn't have worked out any better for him. He did everything right in front and he galloped right to the line.

“Other than the second last he was very good, compared to what he was the last day. You couldn't knock him. He was very well behaved and was professional today,

“Until he ran in Punchestown, with Patrick, he would probably have been down as a stayer with us. He just showed so much boot that day dropping back in trip. That's why I wasn't afraid to pop out and make the running today because he'd go on the ground and I thought he'd stay.”

(GC & AM)