Secret rallies gamely to land bumper

The concluding bumper at Fairyhouse this afternoon produced one of the best finishes of the 'Winter Festival' as Petit Secret rallied gamely to land the spoils.

Willie Mullins' charge made the running in the two-miler but was pressed early in the straight.

It looked like Bleu De Vassy might prevail after gaining a narrow lead inside the final furlong but Petit Secret battled back gamely under Patrick Mullins and just edged the verdict by a head.

The 2/1 winner had fallen two from home when holding every chance in his sole point-to-point outing for Pat Doyle at Lisronagh in March.

Mullins said:- “He was very brave because he was very green going past the winning post first time around.

“It’s great for Paddy McSweeney and the Shanakiel Racing Syndicate and I think it’s their first runner since Mrs McSweeney died.”

It was a double on the card for Willie Mullins following the earlier Grade 1 victory of I Am Maximus

(Quotes by Alan Magee)