Panther Claw (nearest) and Rich Revival jump the last together before the latter goes on to score© Photo Healy Racing
The Liz Doyle trained Rich Revival overcame an absence of 622 days as he took the New Value Hospitality Packages At Fairyhouse Beginners Chase under Brian O’Connell.
The 8yo son of Turtle Island won his bumper on his debut at Down Royal in 2010 and he then ran well in four attempts in maiden hurdle company, with his last run coming at Gowran in April of last year where he finished sixth of nineteen behind Toon River.
Having opened at 16/1 this morning with Paddy Powers, he opened on track at 14/1 before being backed into 10/1 at the off.
After racing in mid-division for much of the contest he made progress into fourth at the fifth last and went second three fences from home.
He was ridden to lead from the next and despite edging left on the run-in, he stayed on well under pressure to score by a length and a quarter at the line.
The 7/2 joint favourite Panther Claw led from the sixth fence but he couldn’t match the winner close home and had to settle for second under Davy Russell for Paul Nolan. King Of The Refs finished a further seven lengths back in third under Paul Carberry for Tony Martin at 9/2 while the other 7/2 joint favourite, Hi Big Man fell at the sixth.
Brian O'Connell said afterwards: "He stuck at it well. He was very professional for a horse first time over fences.
"He hadn’t run for a while and he idled a bit in front. When the runner-up came up to him he rallied from the last."
Winning trainer Liz Doyle last night sold impressive Lingstown point-to-point winner Mac’s Return for £165,000 at the Brightwells Horses In Training Sale at Cheltenham.
(Additional reporting by Gary Carson)
