Snowy Scene bags that elusive victory

Snowy Scene showed plenty of dash when getting his first career victory in the six furlong nursery at Fairyhouse.

Joseph Murphy 's grey colt defied top weight of 10 stone in beating his eight rivals. He was returned at 7/2 having been 7/1 in the morning and 4/1 on opening show.

Pat Smullen dropped him into fourth place from his draw in eight as Trenchtown Rock soon set the fractions.

Snowy Scene was off the bridle turning into the home straight but came with a run down the outside at the two furlong marker.

He grabbed the initiative from Fair Game with a furlong and a half to go as Trenchtown Rock weakened.

He was ridden inside the final furlong and powered away from the staying on Berlios to score by three lengths.

Berlios was popular in the early price market from 5/1 to 7/2. His SP was Burlington Bertie 100/30. Texas Radio gave his supporters a place dividend in third at 12/1. He had been as big as 25/1 this morning.

"He's a nice horse. We thought he'd win his maiden but things haven't quite gone his way," said the trainer's son Joe.

"He'll go for the Birdcatcher. We felt he might be a little bit low for it and might not get in. Hopefully the handicapper is not too hard on him but in saying that four or five pounds would be fine!

"He'll handle the ground at Naas and he'll stay seven furlongs.

"To be honest I didn't think we'd be going for a nursery with him. I thought he'd win his maiden and go from there. He's a pretty good horse."

Pat Smullen added: "Joe has always been a good supporter for a long long time and it's always nice to ride a winner for him.

"I rode this lad work earlier in the year and I'm actually surprised it took until now for him to win. His work was always good and he's been a bit keen in his races. Dropping back to six furlongs today helped him. He settled today which was important."

This was Snowy Scene's fifth start. He had been unplaced in his four previous runs.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson