Woodland Opera delights Harrington

Woodland Opera put in a smooth performance to take the beginners' chase in Fairyhouse.

Robbie Power 's mount tracked O Ceallaigh in second with the pair clear of the remainder.

He then jumped into the lead at the second last and asserted on the run to the final fence. A victory by seven lengths was posted by the 4/5 favourite.

O Ceallaigh was outgunned by the favourite once headed but kept on to be second at 11/2. Pyromaniac (7/1) looked dangerous before the third last but his effort soon petered out as he came home third, a further 22 lengths adrift.

Trainer Jessica Harrington said: "He jumped well apart from the third last where they got their wires crossed. Robbie didn't want to go mad long and the horse decided to go mad long but he was very good.

"The plan is to go to Punchestown for the novice handicap over two miles five furlongs provided the ground is good. Otherwise we will have to put him in a few other races in case it comes up soft. It probably won't but you never know.

"The fact that it was heavy ground I decided to run him over two miles today. He moves too well for heavy ground, and wouldn't get home on that ground over two and a half miles."

Additional reporting by Alan Magee