Flicker Of Hope digs deep to score at Fairyhouse Flicker Of Hope (5/1) showed the benefit of his initial outing over fences last month when successfully stepping up in trip to land the Irish National Hunt Steeplechase CLG Beginners Chase at Fairyhouse. The Buck’s Boum gelding won four times over hurdles last year including a €100,000 handicap at Navan and showed a great attitude to take this 2m4f event. Patter Merchant held a slight advantage over the last, but Donagh Meyler’s mount wore him down on the run-in to score by a neck. The evens favourite Kiss Will was a further three and three-quarter lengths back in third. Winning trainer Mark Fahey said, “He was tough and Donagh gave him a super ride. He jumped well and did everything right. “He stayed well over hurdles, but they didn’t go much of a gallop there today and he did show a nice turn of foot. “I’m not sure where we go now and we might jump in with the big boys in a graded race and see how we get on.”
