Stallion prospect Still Standing wins Fairyhouse finale

Still Standing did his future stallion prospects a modicum of good when winning the concluding Winter Festival 1st & 2nd December Handicap at Fairyhouse for trainer Jessica Harrington and owner Mrs Cristina Patino's Anamoine Limited.

Ridden by Colm O'Donoghue, the three year old colt today bounced back from a disappointing effort when ninth in a handicap at the Curragh on Champions Weekend and eventually beat off Arthurian Fame by a neck.

Still Standing carries the same racing colours as Snow Fairy and while he isn't yet in that star filly's league, Patino's colt was purchased this year as a long-term stallion prospect, following the owner's success with both Big Bad Bob and Elusive Pimpernel in going to stud.

Still Standing, a son of Mastercraftsman, has yet to reach Stakes level but did today win from a useful rating of 93.

After the race, Harrington said “Colm said he got in a muddle in the Curragh when he was drawn very wide and nothing went right for him and then he got a bump.

“He's only dossing there; as soon as he hits the front his ears are pricked and then the horses came and he goes again, then he thinks he's done enough.

“We'll probably step him up a mile-and-a-half and he'll make a nice staying horse for next year.

“We could look at the Naas November Handicap or the October Handicap at Leopardstown.”

Quotes from Gary Carson