Racing: Fisher Bridge, the 20/1 shot trained by Noel Meade and ridden by Niall Madden, got up on the line to land the Ladbrokes.com Handicap Hurdle at Fairyhouse this afternoon. Top weight Ebaziyan was unplaced.
Fisher Bridge led home stablemate Silverhand to give Meade a 1-2. The former placed fifth in a novice hurdle here just two days ago, but finished with a rattle under Madden to pass favourite Sesenta after jumping the last.
The Singspiel gelding kept up the gallop to score by a neck from his stable companion, with the Willie Mullins-trained market leader just behind in third.
Meade said: “I said to Willie Mullins before the race that he disappointed me here on Sunday.
“But seven and a quarter lengths behind Kempes might not be that bad a run and I only declared him five minutes before the deadline.
“I always thought that he was decent. I suppose he might go to Punchestown or he might have a break and go to Galway.
“He is a good-looking horse.”
In the opener Paul Carberry was seen at his strongest when securing Grade Three honours aboard The Fist Of God.
Having his first start for 150 days, the 9-2 shot gained a narrow advantage two out in the Weatherbys Ireland GSB Hurdle.
Although Meade's four-year-old was fiercely pressed by the Ruby Walsh ridden Coffee Tea Or Me, Carberry proved a belligerent opponent and was a length and a quarter too good at the line.
"The Fist Of God wasn't working particularly well, but he tends to be a bit lazy at home," said Meade. "He did it well here and the plan is to go to Punchestown next."
Ruby Walsh delivered Oscar Dan Dan with a decisive late challenge to take the Kevin Brady Car Sales Citroen Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse.
Caim Hill appeared to have the Grade Two prize at his mercy when pulling clear, but Walsh was did not panic on Oscar Dan Dan and the seven-year-old put in a late charge.
After joining Caim Hill at the final flight, the Tom Mullins-trained 11-1 shot powered away to score by a length and three-quarters.
Mullins said: "We should give half the prize-money to Ruby. I thought he would have pulled him up at halfway, but he was obviously giving him a better feel than it looked.
"Ruby said they went too fast and that our fellow needs further. His form was encouraging up to Thurles, where he disappointed, but we felt we had him right. If he comes out of the race well, we'll head for Punchestown."
Fairyhouse Results
2.25 Weatherbys Ireland GSB Hurdle
1st The Fist Of God 9/2
2nd Coffee Tea Or Me 11/4F
3rd Flag Of Honour 6/1
4th Moville 10/1
4th Chevalier Country 15/2
2.55 Kevin Brady Car Sales Citroen Novice Hurdle
1st Oscar Dan Dan 11/1
2nd Caim Hill 11/1
3rd Lenabane 9/1
4th Clan Tara 13/2
3.25 Tattersalls Ireland Handicap Chase
1st Perce Rock 3/1F
2nd Conna Castle 4/1
3rd Reisk Superman 15/2
4th Holly Tree 20/1
4.00 Ladbrokes.com Handicap Hurdle
1st Fisher Bridge 20/1
2nd Silverhand 12/1
3rd Sesenta 4/1 JF
4th Carthalawn 4/1JF
4.35 Racing Post Handicap Hurdle
1st Mourne Rambler 8/1
2nd Rocco's Hall 14/1
3rd Handfull Of Euros 20/1
4th Bronte Bay 20/1
5.05 Scotty 33 Cancer Research Handicap Steeplechase
1st Hollow Ranger 25/1
2nd Wheels Up 9/2
3rd De La Rue 7/2F
4th Natural Storm 20/1
5.35 Irish Daily Mirror (Pro/Am) Flat Race
1st Fionn Tra 8/1
2nd Gus Macrae 6/1
3rd Desert Dual 2/1F
4th Milltown Flame 50/1