Meyler fires in a New Year's Day treble

Donagh Meyler enjoyed a third winner on the New Year's Day card at Fairyhouse as Full Noise comfortably took the second division of the extended three mile hurdle.

The six-year-old gelding was well punted down to 8/13 favourite and his sole moment's worry came when he tracked the leader Trickey Trix who fell at the second flight.

He was left in the lead and tanked along before readily asserting racing to the last obstacle. He was far from extended as he came in by two and three quarter lengths. My Newbrook Rose took the runner-up berth at 16/1 and was the same distance ahead of Lady L'lerom (18/1). Excelsior drifted out to 12/1 before finishing fourth.

“It wasn't easy watching when the horse fell in front of him, anything can happen. The plan was to jump out, we ran him here the last day on his first run for me and he was way too keen,” said trainer Ronan McNally.

“We dropped him in last time, as he can be keen at home, but he ran with his head in the air and it was a complete disaster. He got very tired, pulled up, and we gave him plenty of time at home to get him ready.

“The tactics today were always going to be to bounce out handy and get him to settle. The horse falling probably hindered us as he would have been with the lead when he had settled.

“I thought his jumping was exceptional, even when he got in tight, for a big horse. He's probably not a hurdler, he's going to be a chaser for the future hopefully.

“He's grand, he's doing a job and we're delighted with him. I'd say he'll stay over hurdles this year, he is rated over fences and he's low enough. He's still growing, babyish and backward.

“He's entered at Clonmel on Thursday and over in England on Friday but he's fairly high over in England compared to his Irish mark.

“Clonmel is two-mile-three so it probably wouldn't suit him. We'll see what happens but there's no panic as he's a big horse.”

Meyler also took the honours on Carrig Sam (12/1) and Where's Frankie (17/2). The treble paid 198.5/1.

The Stewards requested a report from Ronan M. P. McNally, trainer, as to the apparent improvement in form of Full Noise, placed first, as compared with its most recent run. Ronan M. P. McNally stated that at Fairyhouse on the 2nd of November his charge had been dropped in and ran very fresh and keen and stopped quickly. He added that a step up in trip on a slower surface coupled with his charge settling well today had helped to bring about the apparent improvement in form. Having considered the evidence the Stewards noted the explanation given.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson