Peaceful Sunday and J J Slevin (nearside)© Photo Healy Racing
Errors at the final couple of flights by odds-on favourite, John Cannon opened the door for the others in race two at Fairyhouse, and Peaceful Sunday wasn’t found wanting as he eventually scored by one and a half lengths.
It was the same distance to the third, Camino Rock in this Connolly’s Red Mills Irish EBF Auction Maiden Hurdle. Vinnie Is Busy was only half a length back in fourth, after what was an exciting conclusion to the extended two miler.
The early signs weren’t good for the Simon Munir and Isaac Souede-owned, and Stuart Crawford-trained Peaceful Sunday, as he jumped badly left at the first (no help to several of his rivals), when in front.
However jockey J J Slevin was then happy to take a lead, and a mistake at the fifth was no inconvenience as the French-bred six-year-old eventually got back to the head of affairs inside the final furlong.
In the aftermath Slevin said: "I probably would have liked it to have been a bit more of a test for him but he took a look at the first and I abandoned that plan pretty quickly.
"He did well to win in the circumstances as he got tapped for a bit of toe but he has come home well. It was a good performance.
"Stuart (Crawford) was happy enough with him coming down in fairness, he thought he had him in good shape and he was hoping his lad wouldn't be a million miles away from the other lad's (John Cannon) sort of rating (120). Stuart was happy enough to have a go with him.
"He did (look happier when he got a lead), he was a bit green and having a look in front."
The Crawfords also had a winner at the point-to-point in Farmacaffley in Armagh this afternoon, with a horse called Marronstown, in the colours of former jockey Jonjo Bright.
(MG & EM)
