Inchiquin Star and Cian Quirke (right) lead home their rivals© Photo Healy Racing
Fitted with cheekpieces for the first time, Inchiquin Star (13/2 from 12s early) comfortably accounted for her 11 rivals in the Count Wexford Vintners Federation Opportunity Handicap Hurdle.
A winner at the venue in August, the Sean Harnedy-owned bay disappointed when last seen at Fairyhouse earlier this month.
Settled in mid-division by Cian Quirke, the Mount Nelson five-year-old took closer order early on the final circuit and improved into second from three out.
Easing to the front entering the straight, she soon went a few lengths clear and kept up the gallop all the way to the line, coming home five lengths to the good.
The Philip Rothwell-trained pair of Backfromtheraces (18/1) and Fernhill Fling (50/1) finished second and third respectively, with a length and a quarter between them at the line.
Returned the 7/2 favourite, Thisistheway faded tamely when headed approaching the straight and eventually finished seventh.
"I think she likes going left-handed, I'm not sure why," Kiely said in the aftermath.
"I was a little bit worried about the ground as she's not the biggest in the world. She seems to enjoy it around here and the soft ground as well.
"We put the cheekpieces on today and it's not that I think she is un-genuine, it's just that she's had a lot of racing and is gone laid-back about it and kind of sleepy. She was real sharp and forward before that. I think the cheekpieces have rekindled her a small bit.
"That's the most impressive win she's had so far, definitely the easiest.
"We were heading the way of a break but when she likes the softer ground, we might keep her going for another little while and see. We'll see how she is after that.
"We have mostly point-to-pointers at home and just a few for the track. We are tipping away with what we have and I'd like to think we are getting the best out of them."
STEWARDS REPORTS
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Dream Once More trained by Declan Queally, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.
The Raceday Stewards requested a report from Paul Stephen Kiely, trainer, as to the apparent improvement in form of Inchiquin Star, placed first, as compared with its most recent run at Fairyhouse on the 12th of October. Paul Stephen Kiely reported that the return to the softer surface and application of first time cheekpieces may have contributed to the apparent improvement in form. Having considered the report the Raceday Stewards noted the explanation given.
T.P. Harney, rider of Not My Problem (GB), trained by Ross O'Sullivan, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount stopped quickly.
