Upazo good at Fairyhouse again

Upazo again showed his effectiveness at Fairyhouse to gain a third win at the venue as Ruby Walsh strengthened his hold on the jockey's championship. The French-bred landed the opening Fairyhouse Vets Promoting Equine Health Beginners Chase to put Walsh two up on his namesake, the sidelined Mark.

He may have got the third last wrong but the Philip Reynolds and Madeline McMahon-owned, and Willie Mullins-trained 11/4 shot swept up to lead before the last, going on for a three and three parts of a length win from Edeymi

Upazo hadn't come up to the mark at Gowran the last twice and Walsh said: "I don't know what happened him the last twice, maybe the ground was just very testing at Gowran and he couldn't handle it but he was a good bit better today."

N.P. Madden, rider of Old Castletown trained by T.M. Walsh, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount ran very free during this race.

(AM & EM)