Review FAIRYHOUSE 14TH FEB

Beef Or Salmon's regular jockey Andrew McNamara brought his tally for the season to 40 when partnering a 28/1 plus double aboard The Flying Dustman and Amstecos.

Amstecos earned a 33/1 quote from Cashmans for the Ballymore Properties Novice Hurdle when opening his hurdle account in the 2m maiden.

The dual bumper winner was pushed along by McNamara before the straight but responded well on the very testing ground to get the better of Monoceros by two lengths.

'It's a long way from a maiden hurdle to Cheltenham but if the ground came up soft he might go there,' said trainer Brian Hamilton.

He added, 'It's obvious from that race he will be better over a trip, and he should make into a nice staying chaser in time.'

McNamara earlier had good fortune on his side as the last fence fall of top-weight Forest Leaves left The Flying Dustman clear to provide Annette McMahon with a welcome winner in the handicap chase.

The absent winning trainer was represented by husband Keith Reidy who said, 'He's very tough and stays all day. I wouldn't say he was beaten at the last because when he comes off the bridle he finds a lot.'

David Casey, whose season has again been blighted by injury, moved onto the 20 winner mark this term when also recording a double on Offshore Account and Stalaban Lass.

Offshore Account looked in trouble as Be My Leader moved alongside early in the straight in the 2m5f beginners chase but that rival soon folded quickly as Charlie Swan's charge stayed on strongly.

'He jumps and gallops and the family seem to be better over fences than hurdles,' said Swan of the half-brother to The Listener.

'He was bought with a view to running in cross country races as he's also related to Risk Of Thunder,' added Swan of the 7/4 favourite.

Casey's victory aboard Stalaban Lass in the two miles handicap hurdle was much more of a surprise, 25/1 but paid a whopping 160.10 on the Tote.

The nine-year-old mare finished strongly on the far rail for a length and a half win over Platinum Starlight to the shock of trainer Andrew Oliver.

'She showed a bit of form in a bumper on bad ground a few years ago but has had plenty of problems since. I'm well pleased with that and it's great for the owner who has been very patient,' said Oliver.

Eric McNamara maintained his good recent run when Prince Picasso, backed from 3/1 down to 7/4 favourite, took the other two mile maiden hurdle on the card.

Brian Byrnes' mount headed the front-running Hidden Agent approaching the final flight, and kept on well to score by a length and three quarters.

'I was slightly concerned about the ground, and he'll be far better when he gets some nice ground. He's rated in the 80's on the Flat, and will mix it between the Flat and hurdles,' said McNamara.

Paul Pierce saddled his first winner when Here Comes Sally found a bit extra after the last for Alain Cawley to beat Mono by a length and a quarter in the 2m4f handicap hurdle.

Michelle Gannon had a moment to savour when she trained and rode Erkindale Miss to a 1 1/4L victory in the bumper.

Alan Magee