Mister Farmer ploughs through the ground

Mister Farmer has prevailed in wars of attrition in the past and seven years after Numbersixvalverde's heroics in the Irish National, the colours of Bernard Carroll got another successful airing at Fairyhouse when the first-named triumphed in the Fairyhouse Committee Handicap Chase under Niall 'Slippers' Madden.

Madden, who was aboard Numbersixvalverde for his Aintree National and Thyestes Chase victories, got Mister Farmer to the front from three out and it was soon apparent that there was going to be only one result. Mister Farmer eventually crossed the line twelve lengths to the good from Kylebeg Krystle

Martin Brassil, the winning trainer, said: "He's had a couple of fractures in his time. I expected him to do that earlier in the season but my horses weren't firing.

"He ran really well last time although beaten ten lengths.

"Today though he had a nice light weight." (MG & EM)