Fairyhouse Easter Monday review: Reports, reaction and free video replays
By Sporting Life
18:01 · MON April 10, 2023
A round-up of the rest of the key action from Fairyhouse on Easter Monday.
Forlonge holds on from returning Monkfish
The enigmatic Asterion Forlonge got back to winning ways with a tough effort from returning stablemate Monkfish in the Grade 2 Rathbarry & Glenview Studs Hurdle.
The pair topped the betting for the two and a half mile contest and stable jockey Paul Townend opted for the race-fit winner, who ultimately put his recent comeback run to good use to hold on from the Danny Mullins-ridden Monkfish, who had been off the track for 713 days.
Asterion Forlonge got first run coming down to the last and he showed a good attitude to score by half a length from the dual Cheltenham Festival winner.
Mullins said: "I'm thrilled with both horses. Asterion Forlonge had the run under his belt which made the difference, and Paul capitalised on that.
"Danny gave Monkfish a great ride too to be second. I just hope that he's good and sound after that race as it looks like he's on his way back, maybe Punchestown will come too soon but we'll see what happens."
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David Casey, Mullins’ assistant, said of the grey victor: “We’re delighted with him, he improved plenty for his run in Thurles and I think he’ll improve plenty from today as well.
“He did everything right, he’s had his issues and we’re delighted to get his head back in front today.
“He’s in the Stayers’ Hurdle at Punchestown and the plan at the moment is to keep him over hurdles for the time being. All going well I’d imagine he’ll go there.”
On Monkfish he added: “We’re thrilled with him. He had plenty of build-up work done, but he’ll improve again for it. Hopefully he’ll be sound enough to go to Punchestown as well, he’s in the same race.
“The idea is to keep him over hurdles for the end of the season and then maybe go back chasing next year. Hopefully he’ll come out of it well and we’re absolutely thrilled with the way he ran."
Hat-trick up for Easy Game
There was a dramatic conclusion to the Grade 2 McInerney Properties Fairyhouse Chase which saw the Mullins-trained Easy Game win the race for the third time in succession after stablemate Janidil (8/11 favourite) - who was clear at the time - fell at the final fence.
The pair had it between them from a long way out and Janidil had seemingly mastered the Paul Townend-ridden Easy Game, but he crumpled on landing and sent Mark Walsh sprawling.
The 2/1 second-favourite Easy Game was able to coast home to an 81-length victory.
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“Obviously we’re just fortunate we had one coming behind when Janidil took an unfortunate fall,” said Casey.
“It’s great for Easy Game to win the race for a third time. Obviously he had a little bit of luck on his side, but that’s what you need sometimes.
“He’s wonderful, I thought the ground would probably have gone a little bit soft for him today as he does like better ground. He was just there to pick up the pieces.”
On Janidil he added: “He looks fine, he looked like he jumped it well but just didn’t get out the landing gear or slipped on landing.
“Mark had given him a great ride and it looked like he was going to go and win the race so it’s very unfortunate for him and connections.”
Dream success at 33/1
Earlier, the Mullins juggernaut was expected to rumble on in the Grade 2 Donohue Marquees Juvenile Hurdle but odds-on market leader Blood Destiny had to play second fiddle to the Andrew McNamara-trained Enjoy The Dream.
The 33/1 chance pounced after the favourite made clumsy mistakes at the final two flights of hurdles, coming three lengths clear in the hands of Darragh O'Keeffe, with Gust Of Wind back in third at 5/2.
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“We were running her hoping she might run into third or fourth,” said McNamara of the German-bred.
“After the third-last I thought she was going to run a lovely race and when she straightened up I thought ‘we’re in with a big shout now’.
“She only had the one run over hurdles and I thought if we’re going to lose our novice status at this time of year we may as well make it well worthwhile.
“That’s the first race she’s really had so we’ll definitely go to Punchestown, I’ll have a chat with the Dr but I’d say we’ll most likely go there.
“I’d imagine we’ll even keep going after that. I think she has a rating around 90 on the Flat and she could also have the option of going to France for the summer.
“It’s all black type and she has a residual value, but we won’t be going there for a while. She’s a big girl and will jump fences as well.”
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