It was a brilliant start for a Laois horse racing trainer as he scored a big, and somewhat surprising success, in Fairyhouse.
John Storey claimed the Happy Retirement To Noel Fanning Handicap Hurdle at odds of 18/1.
The horse was bred and is now trained by Mountrath’s Liam Cusack – and owned by Michael Heery.
Ridden by Danny Gilligan, John Storey stayed on well to see off Crossing The Bar and claim the €6,900 first prize.
Speaking to IrishRacing.com, trainer Cusack, who was watching the race at home, explained how he actually thought the horse had been pulled up.
He said: “We were watching it on telly and when I saw him fall out of the picture I thought ‘oh jaysus, this is a pu (pulled up)’ but, when he came back into the telly, he just started picking them off. All he does is stay.
“It was a very good ride. I said to the owner that they were going very quick early on and we wouldn’t have any great early speed.
“He took his time. I said if he could get into a rhythm and travel and, when you go for him, go for him and he’ll just stay going.
“He ran a nice race the last day in Punchestown when he was only beaten about seven lengths, the inside track there was probably a bit tight for him. He was staying on again.
“He needs all that trip and if he jumps a fence down the road he’ll stay. He’s by Yeats and is tough.
“We bred him ourselves and he owes us a few quid at this stage. It’s nice for him to win.”
