Fad strikes again at Clonmel Fad Eadrainn landed the odds in fine style when taking the Botanica International Maiden Hurdle at Clonmel. Pat Foley’s charge, who had landed a bumper at the course last May, went to post a 1/3 shot in the race, run over just shy of two-and-a-half miles. He tracked the leaders, under Simon Torrens, before easing to the front early in the straight. The Mustameet snatched at the second last and was a touch untidy at the final flight but it didn’t stop his momentum as he went on to post an easy 10 length success. Foley said:- “His jumping wasn't his best today, probably because it was a stop-start race. He’s normally a very good jumper, and I think a truly-run race would suit him better.   “It was his first time over two and a half miles and we always thought he would get it, but you don't know until you try it, so we were riding him a little bit to get it. We know the next day we don't really have to do that with him.   “We were half thinking of going to Fairyhouse with him until this race was put in today. He won his bumper here so we said we’d stick him in here because it would probably be an easier race than going to Fairyhouse.   “If he’s okay after today’s race, we’ll probably give him an entry in the two ‘winners of one’ at Punchestown and see how we go from there.   “He’s going chasing next season, regardless, and if he could pick up something else in the meantime, all the better.   “He has been a model of consistency in bumpers and over hurdles, and it looked an ideal chance for him today. It’s just a pity the owners, Richard and Suzanne Kennedy, couldn’t be here. They are in Manchester but I’m sure they were looking in and got a good kick out of it.” (Quotes by Alan Magee)
