Bally back in business for McLoughlin Ballymadun stayed on stoutly down the straight to land the two-and-a-half mile handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse. Dermot McLoughlin's charge proved easy to back, having finished well beaten last time at Punchestown, and returned a 7/1 shot having been 9/2 in the morning. Danny Hand produced his mount to lead before the second last and he powered clear of his rivals before the final flight. The Scorpion gelding kept up the gallop on the run-in to record a four-and-a-half length victory over Western Goose. 15/8 favourite Queen Khaleesi tried to give chase to the eventual winner from the second last but faded on the run-in to finish fourth. “Danny said he travelled into it well and jumped well. He thought he got there a bit too soon but he’s done it well,” said McLoughlin. “He’s by Scorpion and wants a bit of nicer ground. I was a bit hesitant to run him but it’s beside us so we did. “It was a bit too far for him the last day. That seems to be his trip now and on a bit nicer ground he’ll get a bit further. “Jimmy Sutton (father of owner Raymond Sutton) has a pub called The Fox Inn about ten minutes from the track in Ballymadun, a mile outside Ashbourne, and that’s where the horse gets his name.” (Quotes by Alan Magee)
