O'Grady's Any Road scores on seasonal return

Any Road (15/2) made a winning seasonal reappearance in the Fairyhouse Membership 2025 Rated Hurdle today as the Edward O'Grady owned-and-trained gelding overturned 8/11 favourite What's Up Darling in scoring, under jockey Mark McDonagh.

Trainer Gordon Elliott and jockey Jack Kennedy were chasing a daily treble with What's Up Darling but having hung badly left-handed in the closing stages, was no match for inner-racing Any Road, which scooted clear for an 8.5 lengths win.

O'Grady, with his third winner of the season, reported “I was very pleased as it was his first run back. To be honest he was a bit disappointing last year, I don't know what the reason was but I thought he ran a little bit below par. While he working nicely I wasn't confidence with it being his first run - I was hopeful.

“It looks like he'll have to go straight into a handicap now. He should get into the good handicap here at the start of next month, whereas off 125 I didn't think he'd get in.

“He did very well on the ground, I was very pleased with him.”

Quotes from Gary Carson