Murphy/O'Connor Double-Up Without Zaarito

Matt O'Connor had quite a wait for his first winner in the paid ranks but after getting off the mark on Sher Why Not at Thurles last Thursday, the Wexford pilot again teamed up with fellow county man, Colm Murphy, to get Kennel Bridge (9/2 to 11/4) home the length winner of the Fairyhouse Membership 2009 Maiden Hurdle.

Murphy said: "He may get a little break or he could turn out again at Christmas, we'll just see how he comes out of it. He should get a bit further on better ground, I felt he didn't get the trip the last day (two miles six on heavy ground).

Half-an-hour later the pair unexpectedly doubled-up. Future All Star a 16/1 shot, with just one previous outing under his belt (sixth in a bumper at Down Royal) took the second division of the two and a quarter mile maiden hurdle, in gutsy fashion, to bring up a near 63/1 brace.

Murphy then took his high-class bumper horse, Zaarito, out of the third race, the Christmas Party at Fairyhouse Maiden Hurdle, owing to ground conditions.