GORDON Elliott was delighted to see Fayonagh get off the mark over timber with the minimum of fuss at Fairyhouse last Saturday.

Last season’s star bumper performer went to post a 2/13 shot for her jumping debut and fully justified those skinny odds with a cosy victory.

Davy Russell jumped out in front on Mark Gittins’ Kalanisi mare and she never looked in trouble, easing away on the run-in for an effortless two and a half-length win over 50/1 shot Rock Road.

“It’s job done. Davy was delighted that her jumping was so good and she was professional about it,” said Elliott.

“She’s having a good blow and we know she is going to come on. What I loved was that down over the last two she was brilliant. Down Royal is the plan now all being well.

“I’m a big believer in winning what you can win so at the moment the mares’ race (at Cheltenham) is the plan with her.

“Keith Donoghue has done a lot of work with her. He rides her most days and has done all the schooling so a big thanks has to go to him.

“She made the running in a few of her bumpers, although I know she didn’t do it in Cheltenham.

“Just sometimes in those maiden hurdles when you have so many runners if something goes wrong you can end up getting knocked down.

“She doesn’t have to make the running but I’d prefer to have them behind you than in front of you!”

It was a double on the card for Elliott with fellow long odds-on shot Shattered Love having landed the mares’ beginners’ chase earlier on the card.

The 1/6 shot was prominent throughout, under Jack Kennedy, and went on turning for home to record an easy 26-length win in the Gigginstown colours.

“It wasn’t a great race and on ratings she was entitled to win it. Jack said she never really came out of second or third gear but she wouldn’t have wanted to,” said Elliott.

“She jumped well and did everything right but she’d have to up her game from that again to go to the next level.

“He said she jumped well the whole way and I loved how down over the last two she was straight as a die.”

FITNESS

Elliott and Gigginstown had to settle for second in the opening beginners’ chase as Tombstone chased home Bamako Moriviere.

The Willie Mullins-trained gelding found another gear before the last to assert under Ruby Walsh and went on to record a two and a quarter-length success for Rich Ricci.

“Experience and race fitness probably played a huge part in that,” said Mullins.

“We’re happy to get our beginners out of the way. He’s obviously not too bad but it’s a long way up the ladder to get to graded company. We’ll just have to keep going to the next novice.

“These fences would be a lot bigger than he was jumping down the country. It was a different type of a test but he has race fitness on his side and sometimes you need little advantages.”

Fenlon’s Hill recorded back-to-back success when battling to a game success in the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Chase.

Paul Stafford’s charge stuck his head out to lead on the run-in, under Adam Short, and recorded a half-length verdict over Old Time Melody in a tight finish.

Stafford, who trains the gelding for John Blake, said: “He’s probably improved a little bit since Galway.

“He’s getting his confidence and jumped super. It was a competitive enough race and he battled well and stayed on well at it.

“I probably wouldn’t run him over any further than that and he might be more effective over two and a half. He wouldn’t run on heavy, winter ground. He had a wind issue and it wouldn’t be ideal to run him on heavy ground.

“If the ground changes in the next week or two weeks he’ll be let off. If it stays right for him we’ll keep him on the go, as long as he’s right.”

SHOCK

Dromore Lad sprang a 25/1 shock when taking his opportunity as third reserve in the first division of the two and a half-mile handicap hurdle.

The well-backed Artic Pearl unseated Roger Loughran going to the last after his saddled slipped and that left the way clear for Dromore Lad to score under Danny Hand.

“It’s his first run for me. He’s a grand little horse, we’re just feeling our way with him to be honest and it’s a bit of a surprise,” said trainer Dermot McLoughlin.

“He only got in there late today and we said because he was local we’d run him. It’s a new owner in the yard, Frank Reynolds, who came to me a couple of months ago so it’s a nice start.

“Danny said he couldn’t lie up early and when they came back to him turning in he picked up well and flew them.We probably got a bit of luck with the other horse unseating but we’ll take it.”

Euro So Brave lived up to her name when running out a game winner of the second division.

Martin Burke tracked the leader on the 7/1 shot and she hit the front before the last, keeping on well in the closing stages to record a length and three-quarter victory over Select Opportunity.

The victory is sure to have cheered owner/trainer Willie Austin who was at home recovering from a broken leg.

Donie McInerney continued his fine run when giving 9/2 shot Russian Roulette a fine ride to claim the two-mile handicap hurdle.

Charles O’Brien’s charge was produced with a well-timed run to lead on the run-in and beat Youngnedofthehill by a length.

“He ran well in Navan and obviously came on a little bit from it,” said Frank Berry, racing manager for winning owner J.P. McManus.

“It was a great ride from Donie as he didn’t give him a lot of help. He kept finding a bit and it’s nice to get a win with him.

“He’s been running consistently without getting his head in front.”

Biddy The Boss produced an impressive turn of foot to take the concluding bumper under Jamie Codd.

Moonlight Escape looked to have things wrapped up going to the furlong marker but was chased down by the 15/8 favourite close home as Gavin Cromwell’s charge got up for a half-length win for the Kilbriens Syndicate.

“The last thing I said to him was keep it simple. I was cursing Jamie. When she got to the front she pricked her ears,” said Cromwell.

“It was very impressive the way she quickened. We’ll look and see if there is a mares’ winner race.

“The mare that beat her the first day in Tramore (Classic Theatre) went and won a maiden hurdle and Henry de Bromhead thinks a bit of her.”

Acting Stewards

R. Dore, J. Gaisford-St Lawrence, P. Caffrey, L. McFerran, S. Quinn.

Horse To Follow

ROCK ROAD (M. J. Bowe): He showed significant improvement to chase home Fayonagh and, while he was flattered to finish so close, he should improve.