Sam Coen times it well to win Fairyhouse opener The Winter Festival Early Bird Ticket Claiming Race over seven furlongs was the opener at Fairyhouse and Shesthedevil (11/4) beat five rivals in the hands of Sam Coen. Coen arrived with just a few minutes to spare after flying in a light aircraft, steered by jump jockey, jockeys' valet and pilot Sean Flanagan, from Listowel where he was second in the 1.53 on Zaraahmando. Coen sat close to the pace on the daughter of Cotai Glory, trained by Paddy Magee for the Black Steel Square Syndicate, and pushed her to the front a furlong and a half out. A couple gave chase inside the final furlong, but Coen kept the winner going to last home by half a length and a head from Cudawudashuda (6/5 favourite) and Honey Deuce. Coen, now two winners ahead of Paddy Harnett, and four clear of Reese Holohan in the race to be champion apprentice, said “She had a good look when she got there, but she was tough to the line. When they came to me, she went on again. “She loves that ground, she won on similar ground at Navan over six. It’s nice ground. “I had no luck in Listowel earlier, but thankfully I made it up here for this.” Cudawudashuda was subsequently claimed, for 10,000 euro, by Dundalk-based trainer Michael Rice. Additional reporting by Gary Carson
