Jarlath Fahey enjoyed Royal Ascot success in 2016 and the trainer began 2017 win a winner at Tramore on new year’s day today, landing the Ani-Pets Veterinary Clinic Handicap Hurdle with the Ian McCarthy partnered and well backed Returntovendor

The son of Artan to lead was backed from 6/1 this morning in to 7/2 on-course before returning the 5/2 favourite. In the race, McCarthy produced Returntovendor to take the lead from Samanntom after the second last and from there the pair beat that rival by 14 lengths.

Fahey, who famously won last year’s Ascot Stakes with Jennies Jewel, tody stated “he was our last runner of 2016 (finished third at Limerick on December 28), and it's great to win with our first runner of this year.

“He has been very consistent and we always knew there was a day in him, and he kept going very well."

He added "he is owned by Pat McCarthy from Kilcock, a great supporter of the yard, and there is a story behind the horse: Pat sold the dam carrying him at the sales but got a phone call days later from the sales company to say the mare was neither paid for, or collected. He then took the mare back and foaled her, hence the name Returntovendor.

“His faith has now been repaid and hopefully he will go on now and he will be a chaser in time."

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Donal Murphy