Fletchers Flyer and Noel Fehily clear the last© Photo Healy Racing
All those to complete in the gruelling three mile six furlong Madra Irish Dog Foods Handicap Chase deserve credit for their efforts, but Fletchers Flyer was the one to stand out above the rest in Punchestown's second event.
Anyone that saw the Winged Love gelding win a Kilworth point-to-point for Adrian Maguire and Declan Queally in March 2013, marked him down as one to follow, and the now eight-year-old reached a career high in this 30,000 Euro event.
Always up there, the Harry Fry-trained and Noel Fehily-ridden 13/2 hope, got the better of the determined Forever Gold (well-backed 5/1 favourite) by two and a half lengths.
Fehily sported the familiar Masterson Holdings Limited silks on Fletchers Flyer and Fry explained: "Everything went foot perfect. He jumped for fun, and it all went right to plan the whole way. Noel was fantastic on him.
"It's great for the Masterson family who are delighted, and they've been great supporters of mine from the start.
"After his last gallop I've never known Noel to be as excited about one.
"He's a novice all next season, and it's possible he could go for the four-miler at Cheltenham and then go for a National."
(AM & EM)
