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.