Punters hit back as O'Sullivan and Fahey follow up Ethan O’Sullivan landed the first double of his career when partnering Live To Laugh to win the William Hill Challenge Series Handicap Hurdle at Fairyhouse. It was also a second winner of the day for trainer Peter Fahey and a tenth in all for O’Sullivan, who has ridden four of his winners on the seven-year-old. After two 40/1 winners, it was also a welcome success for favourite backers. The 5/2 favourite backed up his recent Punchestown success when asserting from the second-last hurdle to beat Eoin McCarthy’s 4/1 shot Well Bud by three and three-parts of a length with 17/2 chance Fuusland three-parts of a length back in third place for Gordon Elliott. “He seems to be improving this year. Early on in his career I thought he wasn’t the strongest of finishers,” said Fahey. “From his run in Listowel to winning the last day in Punchestown he seems to be progressing away nicely. “This William Hill Series is great and to get another win in it is great. “One of the syndicate members Anthony Callan, who is a brother-in-law of mine, actually passed away since Punchestown so we’re all thinking of him and his family today. “He’s a lovely horse for them all going forward. “Ethan is with me four or five days a week and goes into Gordon (Elliott) a couple of days as well. I think he has the makings of a nice rider going forward, he has a lot to learn yet but he’s doing everything right at the moment.” Additional reporting from Gary Carson
