Telecon and Ricky Doyle (check colours) © Photo Healy Racing
Tough conditions for participants and racegoers as the opening Farmhouse Foods Novice Handicap Hurdle was run in driving rain at Fairyhouse and it was Telecon (18s into 14/1 before the off) who landed the spoils.
The hooded six-year-old was settled in mid-division by Ricky Doyle before going in pursuit of clear leader Ages Of Man (66s into 33/1) entering the straight. The winner struck the front after the second-last and overcame a bad blunder at the last to beat Ages Of Man by four and a half lengths.
Telecon, a maiden winner at Ballinrobe last summer, was running for the first time since landing a leg of the Corinthian Challenge at Gowran Park in September.
Doyle has happy memories of this day having landed the Irish National race on 150/1 chance Freewheelin Dylan in 2021.
Winning trainer Mark Fahey said: “That's brilliant, he seems to be a bit stronger this year.
“Ricky gave him a great ride, we were blessed it was the first race as he does want a bit of decent ground. I was a little bit worried about that.
“We think highly of him and it's great to win it. Pat McCarthy is a local man and he's the best owner you could wish for, he really deserves it.
“He'll jump a fence in time, Ian McCarthy had him when he finished third in a point-to-point and highly recommended him to us.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
