Oscars Joy leads Caoimhe's Delight over the last© Photo Healy Racing
The mother and son team of Mag and Danny Mullins combined to take the opening contest (the Christmas Party Raceday At Fairyhouse Mares Maiden Hurdle) at Fairyhouse this afternoon with Oscars Joy
The 5yo daughter of Oscar won her bumper first time out at Limerick in July and finished second on her next start just a neck behind The Colleen Ban at Roscommon on her hurdling debut.
She then disappointed on her last start at Gowran when finishing a long way behind Defence Of Duress.
Sent off at 7/1 this afternoon, she was always prominent and improved to lead entering the straight.
She was soon ridden but battled on well to see off the challenge of the Sean O'Brien trained Caoimhe's Delight (14/1) under John Allen by a length and a half at the line.
The front duo went thirteen lengths clear of Annie Oakley (12/1) in third under Robbie Power for Jessica Harrington while the 11/8 favourite Honey Bach finished a very disappointing thirteenth under Andrew Lynch for Brian Hamilton.
Mag Mullins said afterwards: "She is a grand little filly and she is small. I think there is race back here for her on January 20th all going well. It is a Listed race and we will try and get some blacktype with her.
"She is as tough as nails and I am delighted with her as she has now won a bumper and a hurdle."
(Additional reporting by Gary Carson)
