Noel Meade is considering a step up in grade for Dan Dare after he got off the mark over hurdles at the third attempt in the first division of the Fairyhouse Membership 2009 Maiden Hurdle.
The 9-4 chance, a decent performer on the level for Sir Michael Stoute, travelled well under Paul Carberry throughout and he began to draw clear in the home straight along with market-leader Glenstal Abbey
Meade's winner got away from the final flight the better of the two and stayed on strongly to score by lengths.
"He was beaten 27 lengths by Bob Lingo the last day at Punchestown and that was a fair performance by the winner as I think of a lot of this fellow," said Meade.
"I think he'll be better on better ground. I might run him in the Royal Bond but we'll run him in an easier race beforehand."< Pebble Reach showed significant improvement on recent form to take the second division in good style.
The Jessica Harrington inmate (9-1) had made little impression in seven previous outings but stayed on strongly for the final flight to score by a length and three-quarters from Pinguina
"She is a well-bred mare out of a half sister to Knowhere and Hide The Evidence. I thought the ground was too soft for her the last day and she'll be better again on the better ground," said Harrington.
The Jim Dreaper-trained Carlos shed his maiden tag in the Bobbyjo Bistro Handicap Hurdle, giving 19-year-old Martin Kelly hsi first winner under rules.
Dreaper said: "He has been balloted out of 125 races and got into two and the meetings were abandoned."
Those who took the short odds about Head Of the Posse in the Winter Festival 2008 Maiden Hurdle were forced to sweat before eventually collecting their winnings.
The 2-5 shot appeared to have his work cut out turning for home but got up right on the line to land the spoils by a short head.
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