Grundy lunges late in hunter thriller

The Sean Doyle-trained Solomn Grundy flew home on the run-in to collar Stand Up And Fight in a thrilling finish to the Frank & Therese O'Reilly Memorial Hunters Chase at Fairyhouse.

The three-miler was run at a searching pace with Stand Up And Fight duelling with On The Sod at the head of affairs throughout.

Solomn Grundy was settled a moderate third behind the pair but started to close the gap turning for home.

Stand Up And Fight was left in the lead three from home as On The Sod crashed out, but the distress signals started to go out on the approach to the next fence.

Jamie Scallan got a good tune from the 9/4 favourite from the back of the last as he chased down his rival on the run-in to get up for a neck success.

Stable representative Graham Breen said afterwards:-

“It worked out lovely in the end and Jamie was very good on him. He didn't panic after the two in front getting such a lead.

“He's a great horse to have in the yard and we're very thankful to Mr Brookhouse for giving him to Sean.

“It's great to win a big prize like that.”

When asked if he was a bit worried about the leaders he added:- “You'd have been a fool not to have been as Stand Up And Fight is a classy individual.

“We'll have a look at Punchestown and if the ground is not too good we'll go there. He'll have a break then and come back for point-to-pointing next year. He probably won't run again Monday (at Cork).

“He's a lovely horse to have in the yard and it'll make Jamie as a rider as he's getting plenty of confidence off him, especially beating one of the established lads like Derek O'Connor there.”