Poignant day for the O'Sullivan family at Fairyhouse Hitthehayson (4/1) was a most appropriate and poignant winner of the Michael O'Sullivan & Lorna Brooke Ireland V Britain (Q.R.) Challenge Handicap Chase at Fairyhouse. Ridden by the late Michael O'Sullivan's younger brother Alan, the Jukebox Jury gelding headed the front-running Kilashee at the second-last and stayed on well to post a two and three-quarter lengths victory over 6/4 favourite Duffys Hodey. Maxine O'Sullivan, cousin of Michael and Alan, finished third on Decimation. Successful over hurdles on his first two starts for trainer Ian Donoghue, Hitthehayson was making a winning debut over fences.   Alan O’Sullivan commented: “It’s very good of Fairyhouse and Peter Roe to put the race on and all the family are here. It’s a good day out together and probably the first time we have all been together since the month’s mind Mass (for brother Michael), so it means a lot.  “It’s his first time over fences but Ian said that he had schooled well. It was also his first time up to that trip and on the ground, so there were a lot of unknowns with him. “Thankfully the ground wasn’t too bad, and he jumped really well.  “It’s a race that probably should be better supported and wasn't the strongest of contests, but fair play to Ian for spotting the opportunity.  “I’m delighted to ride a winner for Ian who is an up-and-coming young trainer.”    Additional reporting by Alan Magee
