Fairyhouse Saturday review and replays

Impressive Irish start from Anzadam

Anzadam looked a horse with huge potential when powering to an impressive victory in the Grade Three WillowWarm Hurdle at Fairyhouse on his first start for Willie Mullins.

The four-year-old son of Authorized had won both of his races in France before being switched to the Closutton maestro but had been sidelined for 411 days prior to this return to action.

However, under a patient ride by Paul Townend, Anzadam travelled strongly throughout and cruised into contention at the penultimate flight.

A slightly awkward jump at the last could not stop well-backed 5/2 chance Anzadam from sprinting clear on the run-in to see off 6/4 favourite Kala Conti by six and a half lengths.

Townend said: “Obviously he wears the hood and was keen in France, so I was anxious to get him to settle first, but he actually settled brilliantly.

“He’s been forward at home, but he did everything really well. I wasn’t going to light him up, I let them come around me down the bottom. When I pulled him out, he flew and it took a long time to pull him up.”

Betfair and Paddy Power introduced the winner into their Champion Hurdle market at 40-1, but owners Joe and Marie Donnelly also have State Man and Fighting Fifth winner Sir Gino in their colours.

Winning start for Passe

Impaire Et Passe made a winning start over fences in the SIS Beginners Chase at Fairyhouse.

Sent off the 2/13 favourite, Mullins' charge jumped soundly throughout and turning in he sat third behind front-running stablemate O'Moore Park and Twoohthree.

Townend asked him to quicken after the second last and he was soon in front, jumping the last safely.

In behind his two closest rivals both fell independently as Impaire Et Passe went to the line to win by 12 lengths. Staffordshire Knot (17/2) and Big Stage (50/1) came through to fill the minor places.

Betfair cut the winner to 16/1 from 20s for the Brown Advisory at Cheltenham. He is unchanged at 14s for the Arkle with Paddy Power.

“He was class. He jumped brilliant, he got a bit lackadaisical in the middle of it but when I opened him up at the back of the second-last, he took off,” said Townend.

“He had a great jump at the last and did everything I wanted him to do. He stood off when I wanted him and was good at getting in. I’m very happy.

“He was quick over the first couple and popped away when I wanted him then. When I lit him up at the back of the second-last, he took off.

“He went to sleep on me after jumping the two out of Ballyhack and I was happy enough not to light him up that far out. I was hoping when I did he would come alive and he did – mustard.”

Double delight for Closutton team

Mullins and Townend were also on the mark in the Kettles Country House Hotel Supporting Fingal Ravens GFC Raceday Maiden Hurdle with 3/1 scorer Ballygunner Castle.

The five-year-old had won two bumpers in the spring at Limerick and Tipperary and returned to action with a determined triumph, overcoming being hampered by a loose horse in the home straight to beat Special Cadeau by a length and a quarter.

“He had to overcome plenty from very early. He got a good bump at the start and I nearly fell off him at the first,” said Townend. “I had to ride him on then and I made him do plenty throughout the race. There were no hiding places and it was messy up the straight, but he still pulled out again. It’s the sign of a good one.

“He will relax better, I had him lit up to take on his hurdles early today because of what happened at the first. He’ll be fine, he’s learning on the job.

“The horse inside me wasn’t quick away from the last either, but still to do all that wrong and pull another bit was a fair performance.”

Former Cheltenham and Punchestown Champion Bumper winner A Dream To Share was two and a half lengths back in fifth.

Tiara shines for de Bromhead

Henry de Bromhead landed the Listed-class EasyFix Equine Handicap Chase with 8-1 shot The Folkes Tiara on his seasonal debut.

There were six in a line jumping the final fence, but Brian Hayes got the most out of his mount on the run-in and he beat The King Of Prs by three-quarters of a length.

“That was great. He had lost his form a little bit and it’s great to see him back. Brian was brilliant on him,” said De Bromhead.

“He jumped unreal. Brian said he thought he was beaten coming to the last and he said the leap he put in there was brilliant and he winged it.

“He won at Leopardstown (at Christmas) last year and he’ll be a couple of pounds higher now but it’s a very valuable pot. We’re delighted to win today, though.”

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