Odds-on backers had their fingers burned as Cadspeed had to make do with the runner-up spot in the Christmas Party at Fairyhouse Maiden Hurdle.

Willie Mullins' dual bumper winner was sent off at 4-9 to open his account over timber at the third attempt but a mistake at the last meant he could not get on terms with Mick The Tooth (20-1), who stayed on to score by a head.

Winning trainer John Berry said: "He's not bad and he's just been unlucky.

"The last day in his bumper a horse galloped into him. He'll go for a winners race over Christmas. My brother Mick owns and bred him."

The Mullins string have not been firing with their usual accuracy over the last couple of weeks but the champion trainer had something to shout about as Paul Kristian (8-15) took the Course Signage INH Flat Race.

"He'll go for a winners bumper next. It looks like he'll improve," said Mullins.

"The owner (Derrick Mossop) is British-based. He is not here today and it's his first horse with me."< L'Oiseau de Feu proved far too good for his rivals in the Bobbyjo Bistro Handicap Hurdle, powering clear in the home straight to score by four lengths from Macidoni

Winning trainer Shane Kelly said of the 9-2 chance: "This fellow had a rating in the 80s as a two-year-old on the Flat in England. He'd be better on better ground."

The switch to handicap company did the trick for Denis Cullen's Whosaidso (8-1), who took the New Years Day at Fairyhouse Handicap Chase with the minimum of fuss.

"We're delighted with him and we'll look for another handicap with him now," said Cullen.< Florimund (13-2) finished with a wet sail to take the www.fairyhouseracecourse.ie Handicap Hurdle for jockey Mickey Butler and his trainer/father Michael, while the Castle Fairyhouse Membership 2010 Maiden Hurdle went the way of 9-2 chance Castle Anshan