Visionarian victorious in another tight finish for feature

The feature event at Down Royal this afternoon produced another cracking finish with Visionarian just getting the nod on the line.

Peter Fahey 's charge had travelled well to press front-runner Fairyhill Run going to the second last, in the Island Garden Rooms Handicap Hurdle, but the mare wasn't for giving way easily.

Tommy Brett asked Visionarian for an effort going to the last where his mount knocked the flight flat.

Fairyhill Run had a narrow advantage on the run-in but just couldn't hold the determined challenged of Visionarian as he got up at the post for a nose victory at odds of 10/3.

The winner was making his first start since finishing fifth at Fairyhouse in late February.

Fahey said: "The trip and the ground was a big help for him there today. I'm delighted for Basil and Bernie Holian who bought this horse and bought a few horses with me since. It's great to get a bit of luck for them.

"We'll put him away now and wait for Galway - the two mile five or two mile seven handicap there on the Saturday. He's a nice horse going forward and I can't wait to get him over fences.

"We did his wind since the last day and I'd say it has helped him a bit too.

"Going out I just told Tommy he is brilliant to jump and I was conscious not to get there too soon, because of it being his first run back we wanted to make sure he got to the line well. He judged it well."

(Quotes by Michael Graham)