Ben Hur races to victory in Fairyhouse Ben Hur (7/4f) stepped up on a promising runner-up berth on debut over flights in Navan to deliver in the William Bourke Memorial 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle in Fairyhouse. He travelled well in a closing third before two out and took over after tackling that flight. Wackestone soon came off the bridle on his inner but, to his credit, he refused to give best. There was little between the pair in jumping the last, however, Ben Hur got the measure of his rival on the run-in and Donagh Meyler steered him in by two lengths for owner Philip Polly. Wackestone had to settle for second at 2/1 and was 12 lengths clear of Kibris in third at 5/1. Noel Meade said: “He’s a very nice horse. He’s big, strong, stays well and has a bit of speed. “He got held up with us as a three-year-old on the Flat. He had two runs as a two-year-old and was unlucky not to win the first time as he got locked in and couldn’t get out. “We ran him over a mile-and-one at the Curragh and he didn’t stay. We thought he’d stay any trip, but he didn’t. “Then he got held up at the start of the season and didn’t get out until the end on very soft ground. “I was a bit worried about the ground, I’d say goodish ground will suit him. “We might go to Christmas, we’re hoping that he might end up in the Fred Winter or something over there. “We’ll see how he takes us along. Philip bought him since he ran the last day and I’m delighted for him. He is a nice horse and I hope he’s lucky for him.” Ben Hur was an epic film made in 1959 that starred Charlton Heston in the lead role. Additional reporting by Gary Carson
