Velvet Maker readily justified 4/5 favouritism to win the Next Racing At Fairyhouse Saturday February 21st Maiden Hurdle at Fairyhouse today, scoring for trainer Tony Martin, owner Barry Connell and his retained jockey Adrian Heskin.

The son of Policy Maker travelled well to lead at the second last flight and from there stayed on strongly for an easy ten lengths win over Sizing Titanium

Following the win, Martin stated "the horse and owner both deserved that as he promised to be a good horse last year.

"We were so happy after Navan (third behind Vautour) and he was second in the north to a good horse and we had hoped that he'd run well at Christmas but he was beaten a long way.

"Maybe he's learning as he's only a young horse and he couldn't do anymore today.

"Everyone can say it's a bad race but with 20 runners around Fairyhouse in that ground I don't think there are any bad races."

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson