The Sabrina Harty trained Crafty Power was the well backed 11/4 winning favourite (11/2 generally this morning) of the opening Coolmore Leading Light & Ocovango Maiden Hurdle at Fairyhouse today, winning on his third start over hurdles.

Ridden by Andrew Lynch, the son of Mastercraftsman had taken the measure of Get Out Of Jail when that rival exited at the second last and in the end scored an eased down 16 lengths win over staying on runner-up Thirsty Work

Afterwards Harty stated “his owner Walter Power lives in Australia and had a share in the (German trained) 2014 Melbourne Cup winner Protectionist. He's a really nice horse for the future but takes a lot of nursing and is a big baby.

“He did it as he should today and hopefully he keeps eating and we can plan another race for him, and I think he'll be better on better ground. There should be a lot of improvement.

“He'll make a nice chaser in the future.”

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Alan Magee