Shaneshill© Photo Healy Racing
Leading bumper performer Shaneshill got his hurdling career off to a winning start with minimal fuss in the Fairyhouse Membership 2015 Maiden Hurdle.
The Willie Mullins-trained five-year-old won three out of four last season, including gaining revenge on Cheltenham conqueror Silver Concorde in the Grade One bumper at the Punchestown festival, and was sent off 2-11 favourite for his first start over obstacles.
Always handy, the King's Theatre gelding moved effortlessly into the lead at the second last hurdle and ran out a comfortable four-length winner under Ruby Walsh, with Keppots Queen staying on for second.
Mullins had already got on the scoresheet when Outlander (4-9fav) returned from 574 days off to land the odds in the Christmas Party Race Day On 20th December At Fairyhouse Maiden Hurdle.
Sent off favourite for the 2013 Champion Bumper at the Punchestown festival, he jumped well on his debut over timber and was pushed out under hands and heels by Bryan Cooper for an easy 11-length success from Mike McCann < Triplets Joy (7-2fav) came out on top in a thilling battle with Mallards In Flight in the Boylesports Irish Grand National At Fairyhouse Handicap Hurdle.
The latter travelled nicely into the lead turning for home but Paul Nolan's charge refused to let him go clear and they battled all the way up the run in.
In a real war of attrition, it was Kevin Sexton's mount who found more and forged a length and a half clear at the line.< Waxies Dargle (5-2) kicked the afternoon off witn an impressive success in the opening Premier Jump Weekend November 29th & 30th Hurdle.
Noel Meade's five-year-old barely broke sweat as he cruised into the lead two out and eased to a two-and-a-half length victory over Digeanta with 5-6 favourite Aklan finishing a disappointing sixth.< Aengus (3-1) completed a completed for Meade when recording a two-length verdict over Cappacon in the closing Follow Fairyhouse On Twitter Flat Race.
The application of a tongue tie worked the oracle for Broadway Travel (16-1) as he stayed
