Encrypted Message (noseband) comes to catch Unanimous close home© Photo Healy Racing
Encrypted Message (11/4) made it third time lucky as he took the Family Funday At Fairyhouse Maiden over seven furlongs for his trainer Dermot Weld with Pat Smullen in the saddle.
The 3yo son of Dansili finished second on his debut at Roscommon in May and second again on his next start at Navan last month just a short head behind King’s Warrant.
Those two efforts came over 1m 2f but dropped back in trip to seven furlongs this afternoon he tracked the leaders in the early stages, was ridden to go second over a furlong out and kept on well under pressure to hit the front close home and go on to score by half a length.
Fellow son of Dansili, Unanimous finished second for Aidan & Joseph O’Brien at 2/1 while Slipper Orchid ran well on her debut to finish three lengths back in third at 25/1 under Shane Foley for Mick Halford.
The Eddie Lynam trained Regal Power was sent off the 11/8 favourite but he could only manage fifth under Declan McDonogh.
Winning trainer Dermot Weld said afterwards: "He had the form to win that and I thought he would win it.
"He is consistent, that’s his level and Pat gave him a good strong ride. On testing ground you want a horse that gets further than seven furlongs and he does.
"I wasn’t worried about the drop in trip today and he goes on that ground." After the race the Stewards suspended Seamie Hefferan, rider of Apple Be Lucky for two days for continuing to hit his mount when his chance of being placed was gone.
(On-course reporting by Michael Graham)
