Fairyhouse Results Tue, 8th Apr, 2008

Swords Beginners S´chase of €10,000.00 5-y-o plus 2m.

1st - €6,910.00, 2nd - €1,700.00, 3rd - €800.00, 4th - €500.00 16 Ran

Irish Invader hadn't shown the same level of form over fences as he had done over hurdles before this and Willie Mullins described the success as a "long time coming".

Sitting in behind the leaders throughout Ruby Walsh asked his mount to go and win his race at the last and he did the job well.

A winners of one is next on the agenda and Mullins hopes to find him something at Punchestown. The gelding will be kept on the go during the summer.

Sher Why Not made an encouraging debut over fences, staying on nicely in the closing stages without getting to the winner.

He was ridden to close in third approaching the last but couldn't go with the winner on the run-in.

Stromstad attracted support (6/1 to 9/2) and put up a fine front-running performance.

He was still leading when falling four out at Down Royal last time and again took them along. He had no more to offer when headed at the last but was beaten by a couple of decent rivals here.

Gundagai also ran well for a long way, chasing the leader into the straight and just fading out of it after the second last. He could be of interest when going handicapping.

Master Billy, an 83-rated hurdler, had shown nothing on his only previous chase start back in October 1995. He was not disgraced in fifth here, just dropping off the main group in the straight.