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Gary Carson

Gary Carson

Story claims the spoils in opener

Sat 2nd Dec 2017, 12:48

The Storyteller The Storyteller
© Photo Healy Racing

The Storyteller flew the last to make a winning debut over fences in the opening beginners chase at Fairyhouse this afternoon.

Keith Donoghue settled behind the leaders on the 11/4 shot before moving into contention two from home.

The Gordon Elliott-trained gelding was driven into the lead over the final fence and a swift leap there propelled him to a comprehensive four-and-three-quarter length win.

7/4 joint-favourite Livelovelaugh who had made most of the running, could find no more in the closing stages as fellow market leader Sutton Manor who had also been prominent, stuck on for the runner-up spot behind his stable-mate.

The winner had been second on his return to action over timber here last month, when chasing home Chateau Conti.

"He's a smart horse. I fancied him out of the way last year for Cheltenham but he pulled a muscle and never got there,” said Elliott.

"Keith gave him a very good ride because he was brave enough at home at a few of his fences. I told him to pop and hunt away and he let the boys race away in front and everything worked out great.

"We'll look at something over Christmas at Leopardstown or Limerick. We'll keep it small for him the next day and try and get a bit of confidence into the horse.

"He could go further in time as he relaxes and is a grand horse."

(Quotes by Alan Magee)

About Gary Carson
Gary started out as a trainee/assistant journalist with the Sporting Life newspaper and has worked in the racing industry for over 25 years. He has been with the Press Association since 2013 and won the Irish Field Nap Table in 2016. He enjoys working with horses and trained his own horse, Mamaslittlestar, to win a point-to-point in 2019.