Sean Flanagan (orange cap) wins on Waxies Dargle after Campeador's fall (grey horse on the ground)© Photo Healy Racing
Leader Campeador looked an assured winner of the Grade A Bar One Racing Handicap Hurdle if he could safely negotiate the last. Unfortunately the grey crashed out under Barry Geraghty and the one to take advantage was the Sean Flanagan-ridden Waxies Dargle at Fairyhouse.
J P McManus owns both Campeador and Waxies Dargle, and another one of his, Sir Scorpion was brought down by the former's fall.
In fact there were seven running in the green and gold in this two miler, and Jonathan Burke got a horrible fall off another of them, All The Answers at the third last.
Sean Flanagan on Noel Meade's Waxies Dargle, avoided the trouble to come through on the run-in and beat Morga by three parts of a length.
It was a double on the day for McManus after Landofhopeandglory s win in the first for Joseph O'Brien.
"It's nice to be lucky an odd time. I've always thought he wanted softer ground but when a melee happens you're lucky to be there," said Meade.
"He ran over two-five at Cheltenham so two-and-a-half is no problem to him. He'll run in similar races, that's what he has been doing, and it's nice to get one like that.
"I'm sure he'll run in the Coral.ie Hurdle. He ran in the English Ladbroke last year so whether he goes there or not I don't know. He didn't run particularly well that day but he was fourth in the Greatwood and fourth in the Coral Cup so he's been knocking on the door.
"He deserved to win a race like that even if it is by default."
The Stewards fined Noel Meade, trainer, €65 for failing to fit a tongue tie to Waxies Dargle (GB), prior to entering the parade ring.
The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Sempre Medici (FR), trained by W.P. Mullins, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be coughing post race.
D.F. O'Regan, rider of Automated (GB), trained by Gordon Elliott, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount was hampered three hurdles from home.
(GC & EM)
