Flame Bearer survives Fairyhouse blunder

Championship-chasing Paul Townend completed a Fairyhouse double for trainer Willie Mullins today, as wide-margin winner Flame Bearer (2/5f) landed the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase, despite ballooning the final fence.

Sunday's fractured leg suffered by championship leader Jack Kennedy has left Townend free to close the gap and having steered Blood Destiny to win today's opener, cut the deficit to 16 (61-77) on Flame Bearer.

Beaten on Naas chase debut, the eight year old today faced just one meaningful rival Highland Charge (7/2), which tried to lay-up with the all-the-way winner but cried enough at halfway. Flame Bearer sent Townend skyward jumping the last but found his feet, to beat Francin by 38 lengths.

Regarding the blunder, Townend said “I was just praying he was underneath me when he came down! There was a bit of noise down there and he just got it wrong - it's funny how quick you can say your prayers. He had been magic up to that.”

He added “I was looking for the others down the back straight and was thinking 'can I just not see them' but he goes a nice gallop and I think trip-wise he is versatile.

“It was a no-contest from early but at least he showed us today what he's been showing us at home.”

“I was very disappointed in Naas but when I didn't even hold on for second-place I thought we could put a line through it. He has to be one of our better novices and on what he shows us.”

Quotes from Gary Carson