It may have only been an 81 to 116 event but in the Tote Sports Lounge Novice Handicap Hurdle Changing Times put up the performance of a horse going on to bigger and better things when pulverising the opposition under Shane Crimin at Fairyhouse.

Claiming seven off Changing Times' top-weight burden, Crimin had his mount racing with the pace-setting Grey Area from some way out and one might have expected that effort to take its toll up the straight.

Not a bit of it though, as the Dr Massini gelding, a course and distance winner of a maiden twenty four days ago, bounded clear and jumped the final two flights brilliantly on the way to a comprehensive dismissal of Shariyan

Winning trainer Oliver McKiernan was understandably impressed saying: "God he travelled well. I had him over in England at the sales and they wouldn't buy him (not sold at £45,000 at Brightwells Cheltenham January Sale last Saturday).

"I knew he was an improving horse but I couldn't believe the way he won today.

"He looks a ready-made chaser and I know it's a cliché but whatever he does over hurdles will be a bonus as chasing is his game.

"I thought it was a competitive race today but it wasn't for him and we'll find a novice for him now."

For young Crimin, a Dublin native, this was a third success in the plate.

The Stewards requested a report from Mr PJ Rothwell, trainer of Grey Area. placed third, regarding the apparent improvement in form of his charge compared with his previous number of runs.

Mr Rothwell reported that his charge has ran in cheekpieces in the past, but on his last run, they didn’t seem to have any positive effect and so today he declared him with blinkers for the first time and felt any apparent improvement could be attributed to this.

Having considered the report, the Stewards noted the explanations offered. (GC & EM)