Irish Bulletin (cheekpieces) leads away from the last, as Shane Crimin is unseated from Is That Marmalade © Photo Healy Racing
After winning the opener on Woodford Island Barry Geraghty quickly doubled-up aboard Irish Bulletin in the Book Easter Festival Tickets Online At fairyhouse.ie Handicap Chase.
Available at 10/1 last night, the Eric McNamara trained six-year-old came in for plenty of market support, opening on-course at 9/2, touching 7/2, before going off a 4/1 chance.
Rated twenty pounds lower over fences, the JP McManus owned three time hurdles winner was settled in mid-division.
He took closer order from four out, and was pushed along in third entering the straight. He was ridden to challenge before the last, and hit the front on the run-in, keeping on well to score by six lengths. Is That Marmalade who lead for much of the contest, was still in with every chance when he unseated his rider Shane Crimin at the last.
The well-backed Prosperity Square (33's last night and from 20's to 14's on-course), filled the runner-up spot under Ricky Doyle for Conor O'Dwyer. Drop Anchor (12/1) completed the placings a further two and a half lengths back in third, with Chris Timmons in the saddle for Eddie Cawley. Tiger Sam who won at Down Royal on Saturday, was sent off the 11/4 favourite, but he unseated his rider Barry Reynolds after the first.
Eric McNamara said afterwards: "He did it well. He's definitely a better hurdler than a chaser. He's typical of a horse off the Flat as he jumps adequately without jumping with great zest.
"Barry gave him a super ride and coaxed him around. The fences look big and solid, there have been plenty of fallers.
"He was probably the best horse in the race if things fell right for him. He loves that nice ground.
"It's good for him to mix it over hurdles and fences and it keeps changing his mind."
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
