Walking On Clouds (right) comes through to lead under Declan McDonogh© Photo Healy Racing
On what was his seasonal debut, Walking On Clouds made the breakthrough in the Follow Fairyhouse On Social Media Handicap.
Twice placed as a juvenile and beaten by just a short-head at Down Royal in September, the Padraig Roche trained gelding was sent off at 7/1.
A bit slow into stride, the son of Gale Force Ten raced towards rear under Declan McDonogh, making good progress on the outer from early in the straight.
Ridden to challenge over a furlong out, he kept on best to lead in the closing stages, with half-a-length the margin of victory.
The well-backed Cherry Bloom (7/2 early, returned the 15/8 favourite) was the one just denied, while Our Louise (16/1) was a head back in third.
"Deccy was very good on him, he said they went hard and he came home well," said Roche.
"We weren't too sure if six would be on the sharp side for him but he said when they went that hard he was happy enough where he was.
"A bunch of my friends own him (the Fivers & Tenners Syndicate), they also have Walking On Glass, and we'll have a bit of craic out of him."
STEWARDS REPORTS
J. Coen, rider of Pandemic Princess trained by Richard John O'Brien, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount got upset in the stalls.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
