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Review fairyhouse 9th Feb

Tue 9th Feb 2010, 17:30

< Summit Meeting could be heading for Cheltenham after flooring the odds-on Arvika Ligeonniere at Fairyhouse.

The Jessica Harrington-trained gelding showed battling qualities to hold Willie Mullins' charge by half a length under Robbie Power in the Easter Festival 2010 Novice Hurdle.

"Summit Meeting hated that tacky ground and would prefer much nicer conditions. He's entered at Cheltenham but it will depend on whether his owner wants to run him," said Harrington.

The winner was cut to 25-1 from 33-1 for the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle with Victor Chandler while Arvika Ligeonniere is also 25s for the same race.

Mullins got on the scoresheet thanks to Kempes (13-8) in the www.fairyhouseracecourse.ie Beginners Chase to help jockey Ruby Walsh to a treble.

However, this winner owed his success to a mistake at the last by Noel Meade's 8-11 favourite Nicanor

Paul Carberry's mount was half a length up going to the final fence but made a hash of the obstacle and Kempes pulled away to win by four lengths.

"Kempes may have been a bit fortunate at the final fence but his performance was more encouraging, despite the ground not being to his liking," said Mullins.

"Kempes has more respect for chase fences than hurdles and I'm hoping for further improvement when the ground is better. He's entered for Cheltenham but I'd imagine he'll stay at home."

Walsh had earlier struck on 7-2 favourite Shuil Aris for Paul Nolan in the Ratoath Mares Maiden Hurdle, who got up close home to beat Mary's Little Vic by a neck.

"Shuil Aris missed two years through injury but had been showing she retained her ability on the gallops at home," said the trainer.

Walsh completed his 40-1 treble when Seabass (5-2), trained by his father Ted, outbattled Kasimali by a length in the Corporate Hospitality Novice Handicap Chase.

Carberry did manage a winner on his 36th birthday on the Meade-trained West Of The Border (3-1 favourite) in the Ballybin Maiden Hurdle.

"I always thought a bit of West Of The Border but he was held up a