Robertstown Rover & Mark Enright on their way to victory© Photo Healy Racing
Robertstown Rover recorded her fourth career success as she took the New Years Day At Fairyhouse Handicap Chase under Mark Enright for trainer Kevin McDonagh.
The 10yo daughter of Carroll House won over the course and distance back in 2008 and won again at Downpatrick in September of 2011 however she was still six pounds out of the handicap this afternoon.
Having opened at 25/1 this morning with Paddy Powers, she opened on track at just 14/1 and was returned at 11/1 having touched 16's.
Prominent throughout she hit the front from the sixth fence and went clear after three out. She stayed on well from the last, going on to record an easy twelve length success from Lascalahall in second at 6/1 under Davy Russell for Fran Flood. The Shoe Doctor was a further two and a quarter lengths back in third under David Casey for Charlie Swan at 9/1 while Mattara completed the placings, ten lengths back in fourth under Sean Flanagan for Colin Bowe at 12/1. Steady Ed was sent off the 3/1 favourite under Brian O’Connell for John Joe Walsh but he never looked like winning and pulled up before the third last.
Kevin McDonagh, who trains in Lackagh, Co Galway, said afterwards: "She jumped well and she could go to Thurles next Sunday for a three mile handicap chase.
"She was gone out of hurdling before I got her. I could try and get her back into the system by running her in a hurdle in England."
After the race it was reported to the stewards that the favourite Steady Ed lost a shoe and returned lame.
(Additional reporting by Gary Carson)
