Sraid Padraig (far side) just holds Cause Of Causes© Photo Healy Racing
< Sraid Padraig put in a gutsy performance to get the better of Cause Of Causes in a thrilling finish to the feature Ballyhack Handicap Chase at Fairyhouse.
Never out of the first two under Danny Mullins, the Tony Martin-trained seven-year-old looked a sitting duck as the challengers queued up behind as they entered the closing stages of the two-mile-one-furlong contest.
But Sraid Padraig, making his seasonal debut, kept pulling out more and when Cause Of Causes put in a stirring hard-driven finish the 14-1 shot stuck his neck out and held on to the prize by a nose.
Mullins completed a double in the same Barry Connell colours when Ted Walsh's 5-4 favourite Foxrock who had looked in trouble, stayed on best to land the Dermot Fagan Lifetime Achievement In Racing Beginners Chase by three-quarters of a length.
Willie Mullins looks to have another decent French recruit on his hands after the experienced Smashing (2-1) made a successful Irish debut in the Fairyhouse On Facebook Rated Hurdle.
The four-year-old was getting weight from his rivals, but won with authority once Andrew Lynch organised him for a run going to the final flight, and he quickened four and a quarter lengths clear of favourite Speckled Wood
Mullins' Upazo (11-4) was an easy winner of the 25,000 Euros Tote Pick 6 Guarantee Maiden Hurdle, clearing away between the final two flights to win by six and a half lengths under Paul Townend, and the champion trainer made it three when 4-6 favourite Shaneshill scooted clear in the bumper.
Townend doubled up when Tom Foley's Followmeuptocarlow (10-1) staged a remarkable late flourish in the Premier Jump Racing Weekend Handicap Hurdle, flying from the clouds to win by half a length.
Dessie Hughes's Pink Coat (5-2 favourite) has been in top form and landed a decent pot when Bryan Cooper drove him to a two-length victory over Maxim Gorky in the Bar One Racing Handicap Hurdle, with Captain Cee Bee well held in third.
