Alliteration wins opening race of Fairyhouse Easter Festival The Philip Dempsey trained Alliteration made all under jockey Donagh Meyler to run out a game winner of the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Maiden Hurdle at Fairyhouse. In front from flag fall, the William Flood owned 9/2 chance looked in trouble after two out, as both Simply Natural and Salsinha closed up in behind. However, with the final flight omitted, Alliteration found plenty for pressure, staying on strongly to score by three-quarters of a length from Simply Natural. “I’m delighted to get that with her,” said Dempsey. “I put the cheekpieces on her because she didn’t jump in Leopardstown. We schooled her in cheekpieces and she was very good. “It was a bit of a concern coming back to two miles but it was a good performance. “She’s only a little small filly but she has a great heart. “I’m delighted to get that for William. He lost his brother-in-law during the week, Eddie Campbell who was a racing man as well. He was a good man and owned racehorses. “We’ll see where we go now, William might be keen to try and get some black-type. The way she jumped today she wouldn’t be out of place in a handicap.” Additional reporting by Gary Carson.
