Lodge makes winning chase debut Farmers Lodge made a winning debut over fences when posting a cosy success in the opening two-mile beginners chase at Fairyhouse this afternoon. Barry Connell's charge was to the fore throughout, under Michael O'Sullivan, and a better jump two from home gave him the advantage over nearest pursuers MacDermott and Soldaro. The Presenting gelding was in control running down to the last and the 5/4 favourite could afford to ease down close home to score by four-and-a-quarter lengths over MacDermott. Farmers Lodge was making just his fourth career outing. He had been fourth in two maiden hurdles this season. Connell said:- “I think we have him four years and he hasn’t been simple - he’s had lots of little niggles. “We ran him in a maiden hurdle in Navan and then there was a two-year gap and he ran twice in Thurles in two good races as it turned out. “He’s a natural to jump and the only question mark I had today was would he handle the heavy ground as he’d never run on it but our gallop is deep Wexford sand so he’d no trouble getting through it. “It was a very ordinary race and he was entitled to do that on his hurdle form. “We’ll get a mark and go for a handicap somewhere. He’ll pay his way and will be a fun horse. “Michael said he could go up in trip. His jumping is good enough for two (miles) and he could go two and a half on better ground.” (Quotes by Alan Magee)
