Fad Eadrainn takes Fairyhouse feature for Foley

Trainer Patrick Foley enjoyed a fruitful afternoon with a Fairyhouse double highlighted by Fad Eadrainn in the Group Discounts On 6+ Tickets For Winter Festival Rated Hurdle.

Castle Field Boy was the first to strike for the trainer, carrying Eoin Staples to victory at 8-1 in the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Chase, before Fad Eadrainn (13-2) defeated Henry de Bromhead’s 6-5 favourite Air Of Entitlement by four and three-quarter lengths in the feature event under Simon Torrens.

“It’s always great to get a double, I think that’s the first one in my name,” said Foley.

“We dropped him back to two and a half (miles) today knowing that he should get that. I was a bit surprised how easily he won it, taking on the horses he was taking on. He always had the ability.

“We’ll see where we got with him now and see what the handicapper does.

“He was 124 today and we’ll have to see where we go now next time, whether he’s good enough for some of the novice races. We might stick him in and see.”

Ted Walsh was also in the money at the track, with two maiden hurdle winners taking their relative contests in good style.

Adrienne landed the WTW Willis 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle under claimer Shane O’Callaghan as the 6-4 joint-favourite, a first win in 15 attempts for owner-breeder Helen Walsh, wife of the trainer.

“Her run in Punchestown was a good run and she followed it up there,” he said.

“She’ll probably win a maiden on the Flat as well. She ran one day at the Curragh and was second and the handicapper jumped her from 70 to 84 despite her being well exposed.

“She likes jumping so she’ll stay jumping at the moment. She’s a fine, big mare, Helen bred her and we had the dam. She stays well.”

Sticwiththeprocess then won the Sign Up To GavinLynchRacing.com Maiden Hurdle under Mark Walsh, a victory as the 8-11 favourite for owner JP McManus.

“He was entitled to win it when Gordon’s horse (Whinney Hill, fourth) didn’t operate,” said Walsh.

“He’s rated 114 and had handicap experience so he’s entitled to win that kind of race.

“He was getting 8lb off the winners today, so you’d have to have a 122 horse to beat him.

“He should jump a fence, he’s a big old fella. You always think they’re going to jump fences but it’s a different ball game and they have to be a bit more of a man about it.”

The McManus silks were also carried to success by Better Times Ahead in the Christmas Party Jackpot Jingle At Fairyhouse 13th December Handicap Hurdle, a 6-1 victory for trainer Robert Tyner with Walsh in the saddle again.

Frank Berry, racing manager to McManus, said: “He’s a grand old horse and loves that ground. He got a grand ride from Mark and stayed on well.

“He’s a bit lower over hurdles and he’ll tip away between both codes. He enjoys the ground and that’s the main thing.

“It’s great to get a win out of him again.”