RIVIERE D’etel was the highlight of a treble for Gordon Elliott at Fairyhouse on New Year’s Day as she ran out a wide-margin winner of the featured John & Chich Fowler Memorial Chase.

The daughter of Martaline was second best in the market to 8/13 favourite Allergorie De Vassy but blew away her rivals in the Grade 3 contest.

Jack Kennedy tracked the leaders on the 10/3 shot before hitting the front four from home in the two miles and five furlongs event.

The Bective Stud-owned grey pulled away after the second last to post a comprehensive 33-length win over the hotpot.

“She’ll probably be very hard to place, I’d say going right-handed really suited her and Jack said she loved the ground,” said Elliott.

“Jack said she stayed very well and we’re delighted with her. I don’t know where I’ll go with her but I’d love to go right-handed.”

When asked if that would rule out Cheltenham he added: “It wouldn’t be out of the question, I’ll talk to Noel (Moran) and see what they want to do, but it just mightn’t be the right place for her.”

Short price

Kennedy had also been on board Mollys Mango when she justified a short price in the opening mares’ hurdle over two miles and a furlong.

The 2/9 shot led turning for home and had the race in the bag from the second last as she posted a facile 17-length win over Littlebiggie.

It was a return to form for the Caldwell Construction-owned mare who had pulled up when last seen at Wexford.

“Jack said she gave him a good feel again,” said Elliott. “She didn’t turn up for whatever reason the last day, maybe we ran her back too soon.

“We’ll probably come back here in three weeks’ time for the Solerina, to try and see if we can get a bit of blacktype.”

The Cullentra treble was completed in the finale when Staffordshire Knot (9/4) also scored in the colours of Caldwell Construction.Harry Swan did the steering and drove the Shantou gelding to the front inside the final furlong to record a three-and-a-half length win over Recoded.

Elliott said: “He’s a nice horse. He might not be a winners’ bumper horse, he’s more of a jumping horse and I’d imagine he’ll go hurdling now.”

The 4/6 favourite I Am River was pulled up inside the final furlong and was reported to have lost his action.

WILLIE Mullins was out of luck in the feature event but was responsible for a couple of promising winners on the card.

I Will Be Baie made a winning start over timber when claiming the two-and-a-half mile maiden hurdle in good style.

The 11/8 shot led two out, under Paul Townend and proved too strong for 4/9 favourite My Trump Card, going on to post a two-and-three-quarter length win.

Assistant David Casey said afterwards: “We weren’t sure how he’d handle the heavy ground but Paul said he went through it okay. He said he won well. He won his point-to-point well and jumped well throughout.”

Nick Rockett was a short price to get off the mark on his second attempt over fences and justified his 2/7 price in the McInerney Beginners Chase.

He joined stablemate Tactical Move turning for home and went on before the last to record an easy seven-length win under Townend.

The Walk In The Park gelding, owned by Stewart and Sadie Andrew, had been fourth to Corbetts Cross over course and distance on his chase debut last month.

Casey said: “Paul was very happy and said he was comfortable everywhere.

“He’ll get further, that was two-five today and he’d have no issue getting a trip. He’s a good relaxed horse and jumps very well.

KARL Thornton saddled a winner on the New Year’s Day at Fairyhouse 12 months ago and doubled up at the first meeting this time, landing both handicap hurdles.

Don’t Talk bagged back-to-back wins at the course when claiming the two-and-a-half mile contest.

Danny Gilligan produced the 9/2 shot to lead two from home and he stuck on well in the closing stages to post a length-and-three-quarters win.

“He did it well. Danny gave him a good ride and everything was straightforward, he seemed to improve from the last day. We thought he had,” said Thornton, who trains the winner for Gary Ryan.

“They get caught eventually (by the handicapper) but he’s definitely improving and he jumps a fence well.”

Serious gamble

Mighty Oak Lad was the subject of a serious gamble in the three-miler, returning a 7/2 shot having been as big as 20/1.

Donagh Meyler made most on the Doyen gelding and he went clear from the second last for an easy 11-length win in the colours of the Derby Bar Syndicate.

“That’s nice. There wasn’t much pace on, and he’s a good jumper, so Donagh lobbed away in front,” said the Skerries handler.

“He said he made a mistake at the first in Thurles and his race was over, everything was happening a bit quick for him around there as he’s a big oul horse. I’d say he’s definitely suited by a bigger track.

“The horses were sick all last year, we just tried to change things around a bit and everything seems healthy now. When they are healthy you can make a plan but when they aren’t you can’t do anything.”