Clickety click but Empress' win not completely unexpected Fairytale Empress (66/1 — 80/1 — 66/1) made her second venture outside of maiden company a winning one when successful in the Return Of The Jumps Handicap Hurdle (DIV II) at Fairyhouse. Home-bred by the Byrne team in County Offaly, and trained by Philip at their Birr-base, the daughter of Artan made a mockery of the fancy price against her name, winning in the hands of Barry Browne. Favourite Jiving Jerry could have jumped the last better, but it made little difference to the result as Fairytale Empress asserted in the closing stages to win by three and a half lengths. “We were expecting a nice run from her,” said Byrne. “Her first run in a maiden in the spring was good. We brought her back after the break with covid and she's just coming fit there now and learning her job. “It was a middling race today and she learned a lot the last day in a good race at Galway. “She was off the bridle with a mile to go that day but stayed on. Today was she was off the bridle again and Barry gave her an unreal ride. He never gave up. “She jumped and stayed going. We had her fit, she was fit from her last few runs and is peaking now. “Her brother won bumpers and maiden hurdles but she didn't show that kind of speed. Even there today she's still learning her job.” J.S. McGarvey, rider of Piranto trained by S.Wilson, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount was pulled up having lost her action. (GC & EM)
