Ideal Pal belies inexperience to win on handicap debut

Ideal Pal made every yard of the running to run out a convincing winner of the opening Farmhouse Foods Novice Handicap Hurdle at Fairyhouse.

The Michael Mulvaney trained grey may have been somewhat fortunate however, as Marvel Fan was certainly not done with when taking a crashing fall at the final flight.

Bryan Cooper had barely moved a muscle on the Tony Martin trained horse before asking for more on the run to the last.

To the winners credit, he appeared to be pulling out more and still had every chance before his nearest rival hit the deck.

It was an impressive handicap debut from the inexperienced son of Tough As Nails, who was having his first start in this company after just the three maiden runs.

“I was afraid of the ground after yesterday. The Tough As Nails' do go with a bit of give in the ground but they don't want it exceptionally heavy and I was worried about that coming here today,” said Mulvany.

“I was pleasantly surprised that he was able to handle that ground and he jumped so well, we're very happy.

“I don't know where we go now. That's his first run in a handicap, we might look at Punchestown but a lot of the bigger handicaps are closed.

“We'll find something similar for him and it's grand to get that.”