Lyreen proves Lucky for Gilligan and Elliott

Lucky Lyreen shrugged off topweight when proving a rather fortunate winner of the Cawley Furniture Novice Handicap Hurdle on day two of the Fairyhouse Easter Festival.

Winner of his maiden hurdle over further at Punchestown last month, stamina was never going to be an issue here for the Gordon Elliott trained six-year-old. Having his first start in handicap company this afternoon, the gelding had to concede plenty of weight but had the valuable assistance of Cheltenham Festival winning jockey Danny Gilligan who took off 5lbs.

Travelling well turning into the straight, Lucky Lyreen headed leader Shraheen and quickly went for home. However, on the run to the final flight, Buachaillbocht closed right up under Mark Walsh. The latter horse looked to be going that bit better when a bad mistake at the last ended his hopes.

That left Lucky Lyreen and Gilligan to stay on and prevail by three-quarters-of-a-length at 17/2.

Winning trainer Gordon Elliott reported: “We were a bit fortunate with the other horse making a mistake but we were in front plenty soon enough.

“He will a jump a fence in time.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee.