'Puppy' powers to 100/1 Fairyhouse double

It was Willie Mullins' day at Fairyhouse today as he saddled four winners on day two of the Easter festival at the Meath track, but there was also some cheer for Moynalvey jockey Robbie Power as he landed a 100/1 double for Jessica Harrington.

Mullins teamed up with Derry jockey Jody McGarvey to win the big race of the day when 12/1 Janidil finished well to land the Grade 1 Gold Cup Novice Chase. It was McGarvey's second Grade 1 victory in successive days as he followed up Saturday's victory on board Des McDonogh's Hearts Are Trumps.

Mullins saddled the first three home in the Gold Cup with Denise Foster and Team Cullentra having to settle for fourth as Conflated faded under Jack Kennedy on the run to the last.

Power provided the only Meath reasons to be cheerful on day two of the festival when he won on board 10/1 shot Ashdale Bob for trainer Jessica Harrington in the Novice Hurdle and then made it a quick double by claiming the Novice Handicap Chase with Jungle Junction for Harrington.

Ashdale Bob and Decimation served up a fantastic finish to the two and a half mile novice hurdle with Power getting home by a neck, with the front pair 13 lengths clear of the third, 4/5 favourite Gentlemansgame.

Egality Mans was in front when falling three out, bringing down stable companion Power Of Pause. Egality Mans’ jockey Paul Townend was taken to hospital for a precautionary x-ray on his foot. The champion jockey was stood down for the rest of the day.

“After jumping three hurdles I considered pulling him up. He was never travelling and usually he’s too keen,” said Power.

“The further the race went the better he got going and he’s a horse that’ll stay further in time. He’s won two Grade 2s this season now so far so it’s been a good season for him.

“I was on fumes going to the last but to be fair to him he was brave. He was very long at the second last and to go down and jump the last the way he did was good and brave," concluded Power.

Meanwhile Mrs Harrington's daughter Kate commented: “Robbie said it was pure class that got him through it. He’s grown a lot since Christmas. He’s only turned six this year and is starting to fill his frame. He’s going to be a lovely horse next season.

“We’ll have a chat with mum and the owners but I’d imagine we’ll leave it at that and he could be a really exciting horse going over a fence next year.

“Robert said it did pass his mind to pull him up with a circuit to run but when he got to Ballyhack he started to get into a nice rhythm.

“He’s won two Grade 2’s now and it’s great for his owner who is a great supporter of the game.”

A half an hour later Power and Harrington were back in the winner's enclosure when Jungle Junction ran on brilliantly to claim the spoils ahead of Brawler.

One of the big stories of the day was Skyace's success in the Grade 1 Novice Hurdle as McGarvey was once again on board, this time for Shark Hanlon who bought the horse for £600 as two of the owners watched from McGettigan's Bar in Dubai. The win was Hanlon's first in a Grade 1 event.

The daughter of Westerner has been a real rags to riches story for the Birdinthehand Syndicate winning five races in the past 10 months and nearly €200,000 in prize-money.

McGarvey’s mount quickened up well after the penultimate flight and drew clear along with Gauloise before the last.

Skyace extended her narrow advantage with a better jump at the last and the 4/1 joint favourite kept on gamely to hold off her rival by half a length. The pair stretched 10 lengths clear of Hook Up in third.

"She’s as tough as nails. She came home out of Cheltenham better than she was before she left. I was afraid of the ones that hadn’t run in Cheltenham rather than the ones that did," commented the trainer.

"It’s great to have one like her. Everyone wants to have one Grade 1 winner and for me it’s great. I think it’s great for racing as anyone can see now that you can buy a horse cheaply, get a syndicate together and have some fun.

"The owners are two lads from Dublin, a lad from Wexford and the rest are all from Dubai. There is 100 sitting down today in Dubai for a meal and I’m sure there will be great excitement. I thought that she couldn’t get beat. I knew she came home out of Cheltenham very well," concluded Hanlon.

Jessican Harrington was also amongst the winners on the flat in Cork when her 10/11 favourite Ya Ya Baby landed the opener under jockey Sean O'Keeffe. There was also something for Team Cullentra to cheer when The Very man landed the Beginners Chase at the Munster venue under Jordan Gainsford at odds of 6/4.