Fairy Court (Ian Queally) leads them out first time round at Dundalk© Photo Healy Racing
Ian Queally doubled his career tally when Fairy Court benefitted from the addition of blinkers in the Follow Dundalk On Facebook Handicap.
The Court Cave gelding, who began his career in point-to-points and annexed a Tramore two miles and five furlong maiden hurdle back in August, was well clear after half a mile in this twelve furlong event.
He briefly looked a little vulnerable around two furlongs out but once getting on to the rail Queally made sure that his mount would maintain the gallop and the 14/1 shot eventually ran out an eight and a half length winner from Noble Call
Trained in County Waterford by Thomas Cummins for his wife Alice, Fairy Court's win here prompted the former to say: "We came here last week hoping for a big run (finished sixth). We couldn't run in the mile and a half so we ran in the mile and a quarter.
"He's a National Hunt horse really but the lads have always said to me that he's got plenty of speed so we decided to try and use it.
"I was fairly confident as I knew he was after improving from last week. He'll go for something similar if he's sound – maybe back here in a fortnight's time.
"I'm delighted to get the win with him. He's not very well handicapped over jumps and he's only small.
"Good ground is the secret to him so that's why we'll keep him to Dundalk."
The Stewards received a report from W.F. Fleming, Turf Club Clerk of the Scales, regarding the fact that C.J.Elliott, rider of Shahrafi weighed in 1.7lb over the weight at which he weighed out at.
Evidence was heard from the rider concerned, in the presence of Thomas Gibney, trainer of Shahrafi. C.J. Elliott stated he lost a few pounds in order to ride at his minimum riding weight today and had a drink of water after weighing out and this contributed to his overweight. Having considered the evidence, the Stewards were satisfied that C.J. Elliott was in breach of Rule 231 and having taken his record into account, they suspended him for 1 raceday.
D.G. Hogan, rider of Star Of Aragon trained by J.A. Nash, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount accidentally clipped a heel and stumbled shortly after the start in this race.
(GC & EM)
