Fethard sticks on well to score Fethard Player stayed on stoutly in the closing stages to open his account in the Cashel Maiden Hurdle at Thurles. Robbie Moran tracked the leaders throughout in the 2m6f before sending his charge to the front before the third last flight. 11/4 favourite Afterclass, who had taken them along in the 2m6f contest, crashed out at that flight having surrendered his lead. Hackets Folly emerged as the danger to Fethard Player in the straight but Willie Treacy's charge was always holding him at bay as he recorded a two-length victory. The 4/1 winner had been third on his last visit to the course when in behind yesterday's Grade 3 winner Don Poli. “I was afraid of the ground with him but it's grand when it works out,” said Treacy, who has just three horses in training at his Fethard base. “He boils over a bit and sometimes can do a bit much but the hood helps him. “I think he'll be better on better ground. He's not that big but he's very good to jump and could go chasing at some stage.” (Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes)
