Irancy leads home Mullins 1-2-3-4-5 in Fairyhouse Grade 2 The J.P. McManus owned Irancy led home a quintet of Willie Mullins trained runners when landing the Grade 2 Donohue Marquees Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse. Seventh in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham last month, the 5/1 chance reversed that form with fourth placed stablemate Karniquet here. A lightly raced seven-year-old, the Saddex gelding was making only his fourth start for the champion trainer. Prominent throughout, he travelled strongly under Mark Walsh as Gaucher set the fractions out in front. A mistake by the latter two out allowed Walsh slip through on the inner to lead before the last. Despite being less than fluent at that final obstacle, Irancy stayed on strongly to win by one-and-a-half lengths from odds-on favourite Karniquet. Frank Berry said: “It was a good performance, he said he jumped great and the ground was nice for him. “He said he was a much happier horse today, it just didn’t happen for him at Cheltenham. The whole thing got to him a little bit and he didn’t perform. “This is a lovely race to get for him and it’s nice to see him back doing something like that. “I’m sure if he’s fit and well he’ll go to Punchestown for something.” Additional reporting by Gary Carson.
