Flemenstorm bounced back to the form that saw him take third place in a similar event at Navan back in March, to shed his maiden tag on start number nine at odds of 16/1 in the Merry Christmas From Fairyhouse Handicap Hurdle. Golan Lodge and the well-fancied Railway Tommy looked set to battle this out in the straight but the eye was drawn to the tail swishing Flemenstorm in third from before the last.

Robbie Colgan 's mount was closing down on the front pair at that stage, he was switched to the inner on the run-in and kept on well to lead in the closing stages.

Ultimately Flemenstorm prevailed by half a length from Golan Lodge with Railway Tommy fading to be four and three parts of a length off them in third.

Eddie Cawley has care of Flemenstorm and he divulged: "We always thought that he'd win a race, and I knew he was in good form coming here today. It's great for the owner (Mrs Bernadette Colleary) who is a cousin of mine from Rathcore and she also bred the horse.

"I think he'll be a better horse over fences. He's still a big weak horse and is more like a four-year-old than a seven-year-old."

Miss K.J. Harrison, rider of Mireya trained by Miss Katherine Jane Harrison, reported to the Clerk of Scales that her mount was pulled up having failed to handle the ground.

P.T. Enright, rider of Dunroe Boy trained by Thomas Coyle, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount was pulled up having gurgled in running.

(AM & EM)