FAIRYHOUSE REPORT:ONE OF the biggest gambles of the Irish National Hunt season was landed when Willie Mullins' Twinlight won the Weatherbys Ireland GSB Hurdle at Fairyhouse yesterday but it looked unlikely two from home.
Ruby Walsh was hard at work rounding the home turn in fifth place when the runaway leader, Chaperoned, took a heavy fall.
Fearless Falcon then came down at the same flight, who in turned interfered with Devils Bit, who also hit the deck.
Backed from 5 to 1 in the morning into 5 to 4 favouritism, Twinlight still made heavy weather of things, but held off the fast-finishing Rocky Wednesday by three lengths.
Mullins said: “We’ll head to Punchestown with Twinlight, but I’ve no immediate race in mind. ”
Andrew Lynch is set for a spell on the sidelines after suffering a bad fall from Fearless Falcon. He was taken to Blanchardstown Hospital for X-rays on his left wrist and right upper arm.
The jockey is due to ride Champion Chase hero Sizing Europe in the Boylesports.com Champion Chase next Tuesday.
Mullins soon doubled up when 6 to 1 chance Lambro, ridden by Emmet Mullins, came up trumps following a protracted duel with Mackeys Forge in the Coolmore NH Sires Ask and Getaway Novice Hurdle. Last Instalment, the 3 to 1 favourite, was always prominent but grew weary on the run-in.
Mullins added: “I really don’t know how good Lambro is and we put him in hoping for, but not expecting, a win. He is an improving horse.”
The Davy Russell-ridden Jack Cool (5 to 1 joint-favourite) showed plenty of grit to repel Action Master in the www.thetote.com Handicap Hurdle. Trainer Charles Byrnes said: “He is a very straightforward horse and to win here was a real bonus.
“He’ll be heading up to Graded company now but unfortunately isn’t entered in any of the novice races at Punchestown next week — he’ll go chasing at some stage, too.”
Idarah sprang a 25 to 1 surprise in the Dan Moore Memorial Handicap Chase.
Despite his huge starting price, Paul Cashman’s grey eight-year-old proved a willing ally for Phillip Enright.
Idarah jumped the last in virtual unison alongside Osana, but had a little more left in the tank to score by a length.
Cashman said: “Idarah is a lovely horse and this is my biggest win as a trainer.
“Phillip was very cool on him and they went a proper gallop.
“He is versatile ground-wise and Phillip said he should get two and a half miles, so maybe he may develop into a Galway Plate horse.”
Rising Time (16 to 1), expertly ridden by Andy Duff, then scooped the valuable Tattersalls Ireland Sales INH Bumper for the Paul Nolan operation.
