'Sound and happy' Jack wins for Foster & Gilligan Ridden for the first time by Danny Gilligan, and carrying the colours of Canadian-based owner Jules Sigler, Smackwater Jack landed Fairyhouse’s Winter Festival November 28th & 29th Handicap Hurdle over three miles. Never far from the pace, the 12-year-old improved to lead travelling well on the approach to the straight. Pressed by the seven years’ younger Mickey Cohen two out and again at the last, the winner found enough to see off that one’s challenge by half a length. It was a third win in three-mile handicap hurdles for the Flemensfirth gelding. “He’s a legend of a horse. He comes out happy every single day and, for a 12-year-old, he’s very sound,” said winning trainer Denise ‘Sneezy’ Foster. “He jumps like a buck and likes to travel. He’s a lovely racehorse to have. “There is a race coming up in Punchestown, and he loves Punchestown, so we’ll try and go there. “You just don’t know what you’re going to get with an old horse like that, but he likes nice ground and today was perfect. “Danny gave him a great ride, he loves riding him, but any jockey likes riding him because he’s very straightforward.” Additional reporting by Gary Carson
