Cooper doubles up on Dunvegan

In-form Bryan Cooper secured a Fairyhouse double when steering Dunvegan home in the €40,000 Grade B EasyFix Equine Handicap Steeplechase.

The grey gelding made all and was notably fluent over his fences but faced a challenge from both Buddy Rich and January Jets at the penultimate obstacle.

January Jets cracked before the last as Dunvegan kept toughing it out and it was up to Buddy Rich or a staying-on Grange Walk to try and bridge the gap.

Dunvegan got away from the last well and was driven out to see off Grange Walk by a length at 3/1 (having been available at 8/1 in the morning). The runner-up was an 18/1 shot. Benefit Run came in third a further five lengths adrift at 18/1 as the favourite Buddy Rich weakened on the run-in.

Trainer Pat Fahy said: “When we’d run him on quickish ground on the Flat he wouldn’t even have a sore shin so we said we’d chance him on it. He’s a big horse but he just loves it.

“His jumping was super today. We won’t go on heavy but he can go on soft.

“He’s in the Paddy Power Chase but I’d rather see him over a short trip and going out like that again.

“He could come back here over a similar trip.”

Cooper was also on board Lieutenant Command for Noel Meade in the first race.

Three of Dunvegan's five career successes have come in Fairyhouse.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee