Watch: Proactif cut to 7-1 for Triumph after smooth debut win
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Wed 14 Jan 2026
Proactif got off to a flawless start (Healy Racing)
Proactif climbed towards the top of the ante-post market for the Triumph Hurdle with a smart win in the Tote Guarantee, Never Beaten By SP Hurdle at Fairyhouse.
The Willie Mullins-trained four-year-old won his sole start in France by six lengths before being purchased by JP McManus and moved to Ireland in the early autumn.
He was a 15-8 chance to win on his yard debut under Mark Walsh, with stablemate and fellow French import Macho Man the 13-8 favourite under Paul Townend.
It was those two horses who did battle at the business end of the two-mile event, with Proactif coming out on top by two and three-quarter lengths to shorten from 12-1 to the 7-1 second-favourite for the Triumph Hurdle with Paddy Power.
“He’s a grand, big horse. Mark said he jumped well but was still a little bit green sometimes in front,” said Frank Berry, racing manager to McManus.
“He galloped and jumped, we’re very happy with him.
“Knowing Willie, it (the Dublin Racing Festival) will probably be a bit soon. He’s had a run in France and learned a little bit today. You could only be happy with him.
“He stays and jumps, he looks the ideal type (for the Triumph Hurdle). Touch wood he stays in one piece.
“I thought they were going to get to him going to the last but in fairness he got to the line well.”
Bambino Fever makes no mistake
Townend is all smiles after the victory of Bambino Fever (Healy Racing)
Champion Bumper heroine Bambino Fever got off the mark over obstacles with a comprehensive success in the Tote Always SP Or Better Handicap Hurdle.
The Willie Mullins-trained mare won the Grade One National Hunt Flat contests at both the Cheltenham and Punchestown Festivals last term, capping a flawless campaign that yielded four wins from four starts.
She started out over hurdles at Naas last month and was beaten into second place as the 1-4 favourite, and was the 1-10 market leader for her second attempt over two miles and two furlongs at Fairyhouse – again under Paul Townend.
Bambino Fever justified those odds this time and after making all the running, she posted an comfortable 12-length victory to shorten from 5-2 to 13-8 with Paddy Power in her position as the favourite for the Dawn Run Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
“That was grand. I would have liked a lead as she wasn’t doing a lot in front but she was jumping clean,” said the winning rider.
“She had to get down and race over the last two. I didn’t get anywhere near the bottom of her but she learned how to jump fast and she did it well.
“We would have been disappointed if she didn’t do what she has done. I can’t tell you from that the ability she has but I liked what she did.
“She jumped clean early but got the experience of being in front as well, if she has to do that in future.
“When I woke her up she was good.”
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