Orders lands Fairyhouse feature

Champion-elect Ruby Walsh brought his seasonal tally to 75 when landing the featured #85,000 Champion 4-Y-O Hurdle aboard 7/1 chance Holy Orders at Fairyhouse this afternoon.

The Willie Mullins-trained Unblest gelding tracked Golden Storm rounding the home turn and after a big leap at the penultimate flight soon led and kept on well under pressure to score in the end by a diminishing half length with Kadoun third and 3/1 favourite Lisaan only sixth.

'I was hoping to get third or fifth prizemoney but this is a bonus,' said Mullins, who added, 'He'll go back on the flat but I'll keep the Galway Hurdle in mind for him.'

Alcapone (10/1) and David Casey came home 15 lengths clear of Native Dara in the Swordlestown Cup but the race was tinged with sadness when warm favourite Well Ridden (5/4-6/4-11/10f) was p.u. before seven out after suffering a heart attack.

Mouse Morris said, of the winner, 'I didn't think he would beat the favourite but he was some price, wasn't he. He may run again, we'll see.'

Bannow Bay, a warm order in the offices before racing, started 11/8f for the Ballymore Stayers Hurdle as Limestone Lad (5/2) proved uneasy in the ring and the market proved correct as the

market leader duly obliged after a thriller.

Catch Ball (14/1) proved the biggest threat to Bannow Bay after the final flight but to the credit of the Christy-trained favourite he battled on gamely under a tremendous drive to land the spoils

by half-a-length.

'He's a lovely horse with lots of stamina. He has all the appearance of a chaser and maybe that's what he'll do next year. I've made no decision yet, though,' said Roche.

Rathcoole builder Oliver McKiernan, who acquired a permit three years ago, opened his account on the track when saddling Winning Dream to land the Irish Examiner Novice Chase.

After the 8/1 shot collared market leader Outlook Good on the approach to the final fence to score in the hands of Alan Fleming, McKiernan expressed his surprise,' That was unexpected as he's more of a of a three mile chaser type.'

Hot Stuff and in-form Barry Geraghty survived a stewards enquiry to win the opener for John Kiely but for Tommy Treacy the race was not so good.

Treacy suffered a horrible fall from Keltech Grey and was brought to Blanchardstown Hospital with a suspected broken left arm.