Thomas carries on the great Dreaper tradition at Fairyhouse
The winning rider is the grandson of legendary Tom Dreaper, trainer of ten Irish Grand National winners, and son of Jim Dreaper, whose Fairyhouse triumphs have included Brown Lad's two National wins.
Now based with Ferdy Murphy in England, where he has ridden twenty winners this season, Dreaper referred to the winning mare, a daughter of Un Desperado, owned and trained by the Doran family from Ardee, County Louth as “tough as nails” and added: “She was too keen the last day in Down Royal. And the change of tactics certainly paid off. Stamina is her main thing and she jumped well, except for the second last. And that was caused by jockey error!”
David Casey took the riding honours on this “industry day” which followed the three-day Festival meeting, scoring on Glenfolan and Bravery.
Eight-year-old Glenfolan recorded his first win when pouncing late to short-head MacRobin in the Blanchardstown Handicap Chase, providing trainer Tony Martin with his third success of the week, following the achievements of Ross River and Wine Fountain.
Casey completed his double in bizarre fashion on Bravery, trained by Charlie Swan for Michael O'Leary's Gigginstown House Stud, in the St.Margaret's Beginners Chase. Having made the early running, Bravery dropped out of contention and was still in mid-division jumping the fourth last fence as Swordlestown, owned by O'Leary's brother Cathal, loomed as the likely winner.
But Swordlestown only flattered to deceive, dropping away tamely between the last two fences. And it was Bravery which arrived with a late surge to thwart Slaney Eagle on the run-in.
Teenage amateur Pat Collins, who registered his first racecourse success on Good Thing at Cork on Sunday, was on the mark again when partnering the Tom Taaffe-trained favourite Baker's Bridge to a convincing victory in the opening Ashbourne Maiden Hurdle.
Roger Loughran was seen at his strongest when driving the Frances Crowley-trained Kells Castle to victory in the Dunshaughlin Handicap Hurdle while the step-up to three miles clearly suited the Edward O'Grady-trained Muttiah, which landed the Ballybin Maiden Hurdle, at the expense of Derrykeel, despite wandering in the closing stages.
It was probably fitting that in a week which produced so many shocks, the 25/1 shot Best Malt, ridden by Lenny Flynn, won the bumper for County Limerick owner-trained Cathy Harrison.
