Lion Na Bearnai puts in another fine jump at the last, with Competitive Edge trying to challenge© Photo Healy Racing
< Lion Na Bearnai took the honours for the first time since his famous victory in the Irish Grand National nearly two years ago when he landed the feature race back at Fairyhouse.
Out of the frame in four outings since, Tom Gibney's 12-year-old was sent off the outsider of five at 14-1 for the Family Fun Days At Fairyhouse Rated Chase and Andrew Lynch set out to make use of his stamina by racing prominently before taking it up.
Lion Na Bearnai was hard pressed by the 6-5 favourite Competitive Edge going to the final fence, but he kept on strongly up the run-in to see off his rival by four lengths and could now head to Aintree for the Crabbie's Grand National.
The top combination of Ruby Walsh and champion trainer Willie Mullins came away with a winner when Suntiep took the 5 Star Sunday 6th April Beginners Chase, but it was far from plain sailing.
Market rival Si C'Etait Vrai matched strides with the 4-5 favourite all the way under Bryan Cooper and had his measure coming down the straight, but he made a bad error at the second-last and then fell at the final fence, leaving Suntiep clear.
Stuart Crawford's 9-4 favourite Man With Van had Seriatim and Owennacurra Milan to aim at turning in for the Amazing April Top Class Jumps At Fairyhouse Rated Hurdle and as his stamina kicked in he reeled them in to score by a length and a half under Steven Crawford.
The Crawfords doubled up when 9-4 favourite Twentytwo's Taken charged up late from the rear to take the Sign Up For Fairyhouse Newsletter Mares INH Flat Race by three and three-quarters lengths.
Pat Fahy's Shantou Ed (10-1) demolished the opposition in the Book On-Line At fairyhouse.ie For Special Offers Maiden Hurdle, easing into the lead going to the last and sauntering clear of Halling's Treasure to win by three and three-quarter lengths in the hands of Mark Walsh.
