O'Brien fires in another treble

Joseph O'Brien continued his blistering form with a treble that paid almost 178/1 on the opening day of the Winter Festival at Fairyhouse. Jack Dillinger brought up O'Brien's third winner on the card in the rated novice hurdle over two and a half miles.

The seven-year-old gelding made headway for JJ Slevin between horses two out and swept by Jack Fiasco approaching the last.

He wasn't fluent there but stormed home on the run-in to win by seven lengths at 4/1. Court Tycoon (11/2) came through for second in front of Jack Fiasco at 9/1.

Joseph O’Brien said: “He was fighting for his head a bit in Clonmel the last day but he settled great today. He’s a horse with a big engine when things fall right, and his form before was very good.

“I’m delighted for Stanley (Watson) and Michael (O’Flynn) and it’s the first horse I’ve had for them. He settled so well today that you could go any trip with him.

“The horses are running well. Everyone goes through phases were the horses are higher or lower, and at the moment we are in a good phase.”

O'Brien's other winners on the card were Mortal (10/1) and Lone Wolf at 9/4.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee