Fr Humphrey defies top weight for second win

The Mary Louise Hallahan trained Fr Humphrey doubled up on his Punchestown win last May when defying top weight to win the Book Easter Festival Tickets Online At fairyhouse.ie Handicap Chase at Fairyhouse today.

Ridden, as in May, by Mikey Fogarty the son of Carlo Bank made virtually all the running and in the end scored a four and a quarter lengths win over Tomcoole Lad

Hallahan later stated "all my horses as a rule need a run, so I'm delighted with the way he did that. Hopefully the handicapper won't be too hard on him.

"The further the better for him, and we'll see what's coming up in the next few weeks. It's lovely ground there today, and he'd probably not want real winter ground."

Today, Fr Humphrey was also maintaining his unbeaten record in completed handicap chases. Prior to his Punchestown win, Fr Humphrey's previous handicap chase efforts saw him fail to jump the first fence, finish or even to pass the Starter, in form figures which read 'fpu'.

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Alan Magee