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Review FAIRYHOUSE 25TH FEB

Barry Geraghty dominated proceedings at the Co. Meath venue by partnering a treble including the Cheltenham Gold Cup bound Forget The Past in the Osmosis Ireland Limited Bobbyjo Chase.

The eight-year-old gelding stretched clear from four out, and Geraghty could afford to take it easy in the straight on the 4/9 shot to come home 8L clear of Garvivonnian.

'Barry said he felt a bit duller today compared to Gowran last week and we have 20 days to get him freshened up for Cheltenham,' said Michael O'Brien, who has yet to have a runner in the Gold Cup.

'He did what he had to do and proved to me that he gets three miles well. He is a far better horse on good ground and, with the year that's in it, we might as well take our chance,' added O'Brien.

Sean Grahams cut him from 33/1 to 25/1 for the Festival showpiece, while he is a 20/1 chance with both Cashmans and Boylesports (from 33's).

The O'Brien/Geraghty alliance also struck when Arkle Chase entry In Compliance overcame a ten months lay-off to make a winning debut over fences in the 2m4f beginners chase.

The evens favourite was always in control to beat chief market-rival Oulart by four and a half lengths, and could make a quick reappearance next weekend.

'We have been having trouble getting him to settle and I have not done much schooling with him. He may go for a winners race at Leopardstown next Sunday to give him more practice,' said O'Brien.

He added, 'He's in the Arkle but there's always Fairyhouse and Punchestown. It depends if the owner (Sean Mulryan) wants a runner.'

Geraghty rounded off his treble, and brought his seasonal tally to 72 (three behind Ruby Walsh), when Good Thyne Jack continued to defy the handicapper in the 2m4f handicap hurdle.

The former champion waited until after the last before easing Eric McNamara's charge past the front-running Contact Dancer to score by two lengths.

First Row impressed trainer Dessie Hughes enough to book his place in the Triumph Hurdle line-up with a wide margin victory in the Winning Fair Juvenile Hurdle.

However the result could have been different as Cogans Lake fell when holding every chance at the second last, leaving Roger Loghran's mount to draw clear to beat Bobs Pride by 15L.

'Before the race I was thinking of aiming him at Punchestown but he'll take his chance now in the Triumph (25/1 with Sean Graham).'

'He has enough pace to lay up and stays really well,' said Hughes, who reports Hardy Eustace back in good form.

Gazza's Girl completed a hat-trick with embarrassing ease in the featured INH Stallion Owners EBF Novice Handicap Hurdle Series Final.

Andrew Leigh sent her on approaching the straight, and she galloped all the way to the line to beat La Marianne by ten lengths.

Nina Carberry moved onto the 30 winner mark for the season when General Strike rallied gamely on the run-in to deny favourite Ballistraw by half a length in the hunters chase.

'He'll probably come back here for the Joseph O'Reilly at Easter. He's a good stayer and will be suited by the cross country races next season,' said the undisputed 'king of the banks' Enda Bolger.

Jet Propelled (J P Magnier) got on top close home to beat Dul Ar An Ol by 1 1/2L in the bumper.

Alan Magee