British bookmaking firm Victor Chandler sponsored all seven races at Fairyhouse today in an attempt to boost their recently introduced Irish service but will have left with their tail between their legs with the first six favourites winning.
Those to record more than one win were jockeys Paul Carberry and Ruby Walsh, while both Walsh's winners were for trainer Willie Mullins.
The opening 2m1f beginners' chase was won in effortless fashion by Carberry on Noel Meade's Always (4/7 favourite). Always had little difficulty defeating the frustrating Atlantic Rhapsody by five lengths with Meade stating that the winner has 'gained a new lease of life after being schooled over fences. '
The second leg of the Carberry double was on former point to point and hunter chase winner Victorian Lady (4/1) in the 3m handicap hurdle.
Willie Mullins' course specialist One Night Out (8/11) was another horse to lose his maiden status over the larger obstacles when landing the Victor Chandler 50% Cashback On First Bet Beginners' Chase under Ruby Walsh. Mullins' assistant James Nash described the gelding as 'an exciting prospect for novices later this season.'
Mullins' and Walsh's double was completed when Red Or White (9/4 favourite) landed the 2m4f handicap chase.
The sixth winning favourite was Wests Awake (2/1) who benefited from a fine ride from 2002/3 Champion Claiming Rider Keith Hadnett. Trainer Iggy Madden later reported 'he is entitled to a few weeks rest after that but is definitely a Summer horse.'
The two mile maiden hurdle was won by the Conor O'Dwyer-ridden O'Driscoll (6/4) who got the better of Louisville in a tight finish from the final flight. Afterwards winning trainer Dessie Hughes reported 'O'Driscoll is normally an excellent jumper of hurdles but just missed the last and needed to battle there. He likes good ground and will go for a winners' race at Punchestown at the end of the month.'
The concluding bumper provided some relief for bookies with 6/1 shot Far From Trouble defeating 3/1 favourite Moynalveylad by three lengths for father-son combination of Christy and Padraic Roche.
