Crack provides welcome cheer for Fahey

Hidden Crack recorded his fifth career win, and third at this track, when making virtually all for a gutsy victory in the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Chase.

It was also a welcome success for trainer Seamus Fahey who was getting off the “cold list” following a six-month absence from the winners’ enclosure.

Shane Butler soon had the 10/1 chance at the head of affair, and the nine-year-old Lahib gelding stayed on well in the straight, with an awkward jump at the last making little difference.

He galloped on to beat Mister First (9/1), who blundered at the last, by four lengths with Zardsky (10/1) a further three and three quarter lengths away in third.

Fahey said, “He’s a bit of a rogue as everyone knows but he likes this course. The rain didn’t do him any harm and it may have inconvenienced some of the others. It’s a good prize and all credit to JP (McManus) for sponsoring the series.”

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes