Lord Lariat and Walton a winning team Joanna Walton won the Fairyhouse Ladies Handicap Chase for the second time in three years, this time aboard Lord Lariat who finished with a late thrust. The 9/2 shot was prominent in the early stages but then raced in a remote second behind O Connell Street who had poached a massive lead five out. Laura Costello came in for the ride on O Connell Street and the pair enjoyed themselves until the petrol gauge flickered between the final two fences as the closers cut into the deficit. O Connell Street jumped the last with a narrow advantage but was all out in the closing stages as he veered right. Lord Lariat and Favori Logique finished well but it was the former who prevailed by half a length from the 11/8 favourite. O Connell Street put in a game effort in third, beaten a length by the winner. Trainer Dermot McLoughlin said: “His run here two runs back was good and he stayed at it well today. “Joanna won this race two years ago and she used her head. I was lucky enough to get her during the week. “He seems to like that ground. I’d say he’d be happier going left-handed and we’ll see if there is something for him at Leopardstown for Christmas.” Walton took this race in 2019 on Enduring Love. Additional reporting by Alan Magee
