Snapius and Jake Coen pictured on their way to victory© Photo Healy Racing
Snapius proved much too good for his five rivals in the opener at Fairyhouse this evening, the Fairyhouse Summer Season Claiming Race.
Successful once from eleven starts as a juvenile, the Joseph O'Brien trained bay was sent off at 7/2 on his seasonal debut.
Fitted with cheekpieces for the first time, the son of Buratino was settled in third by Jake Coen, coming with his challenge on the outer with over two furlongs left to race.
Soon ridden to the front, he kept up the gallop in the final furlong and came home four-and-a-half lengths to the good. Recurrent Dream (10/11f) had every chance from over a furlong out, but he ultimately had to settle for second under Colin Keane for Ger Lyons.
"He did it well, stayed the trip well and hit the line good," assistant trainer Brendan Powell said.
"He's a grand horse and has plenty of size to him. He's popped over a few hurdles at home and he pops good. He probably will be claimed and he's a good solid horse.
"He was tough last year, he had 11 runs, and he goes on any sort of ground.
"It was nice for John (Farrell) who bred him himself.
"He'd be a grand horse for juvenile hurdles during the summer. JJ (Slevin) has done a fair bit of schooling on him in the ring."
Snapius (E20,000) was later claimed by the Fiveohclock Syndicate and will now be trained by James Nash, while Recurrent Dream (E20,000) was claimed by Alice Haynes.
STEWARDS REPORT
R.P. Whelan, rider of Frank Columbo trained by Jack W. Davison, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount lost its action and stopped quickly.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
