Uisce Beatha warms to his task in Fairyhouse

Uisce Beatha relished a step up in trip for the extended three mile handicap chase at Fairyhouse.

The eight-year-old gelding stayed on to take a narrow advantage at the second last. He faced a challenge from Lord Lariat over the last and it became a real battle in the final 150 yards. However, Uisce Beatha always held a slight lead and increased it to a neck close home.

The winner prevailed at 11/2 from the 15/2 runner-up. Rapid Response was four and a quarter lengths adrift of this scrap in third at 11/1.

“That was great. Simon (Torrens) said he battled it out well and the step up in trip seemed to suit him,” said trainer Padraig Roche.

“Simon said he was just about happy during the race, he's a kind of a lazy old horse and takes him time to get into it.

“He said with a mile to go he was happy enough and that he was always getting there.

“Things are going great and it's great to get a winner here.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson