Review GOWRAN PARK 31ST DEC

Pat Fahy was one of the few to enjoy the inclement weather when saddling a double with The Cree River and Fonthill at Gowran Park yesterday.

The gusting high winds and driving rain made conditions difficult in the opening few races including division two of the maiden hurdle where the Sean McDermott ridden The Cree River edged out Our Bob and Granny Clampett in a exciting finish. 'He is a future star in the making,' said Fahy of the 18 year old Tralee rider, who was partnering his second winner aboard the five-year-old mare.

Fonthill recorded a much easier success in the handicap chase, cruising home on the run-in under Garrett Cotter to beat Dawdante by six lengths. 'He lost his way after winning a point-to-point a few years ago but is back in good form now. The secret with him is to do very little work at home,' said Fahy.

Cotter completed his own double in the novice chase where the Henry de Bromhead-trained Nosuch Thing stayed on best in the straight to beat Killultagh Storm by 12 lengths. A group of riders including Cotter, Kieran Gaule and Willie Slattery met with the stewards before this race to express their concerns over the ground conditions, with the action eventually going ahead 17 minutes late.

As Royal recorded his second win over the Christmas period when taking the featured two and a half mile handicap hurdle in convincing fashion under Joe Casey. The Tom Foley-trained gelding, whose career has been plagued by leg trouble, drew clear after two out to beat Native Rosie by 13 lengths.

Be My Case made a successful transition to handicap company in the opportunity hurdle, leading between the final two flights for Donal Bromley to beat Garvivonnian by three lengths. 'He has been working well at home but disappointed us in the past,' said trainer Tom Taaffe, who will keep the gelding to hurdles this season.

Margoulin (9/10) got favourite backers off to a good start in division one of the maiden hurdle when prominent throughout under Barry Cash to beat Cad A Ra Leat by a hard earned length and a half, while Takagi (Philip Fenton) also landed the odds with ease in the bumper.

Alan Magee (Irish Racing Services)