The opening Christmas Party Raceday at Fairyhouse Maiden Hurdle at Fairyhouse went to the Charlie Swan trained Rourke’s Cross, under David Casey.

The winner, a casualty at the second flight at Navan last week, showed plenty reserves of stamina to eventually record a seven lengths win over Lean Times

Three of Swan’s last four runners have now won and the former Champion Jockey later stated “that’s grand to win with him and it made up for what happened last week!”

“He is no world beater but will win races as he’s a tough little fella. We’ll keep it low key now and probably won’t run him at Christmas. We’ll find something after that, maybe a winners’ of one – he goes on that heavy ground which is a help.”