Snowy Morning has a warm return at Fairyhouse

Beaten Hennessy Gold Cup favourite Snowy Morning bounced back to winning ways with a comfortable victory in the Irish Racing Yearbook Rated Hurdle at Fairyhouse.

The seven-year-old was an early casualty in the Newbury feature two weeks ago but made no mistake on his return to hurdling.

Sent off the 10-11 market-leader, Willie Mullins’ charge was always travelling well at the head of affairs and his rivals began to feel the pinch as the field turned for home in the two-and-a-quarter-mile contest.

Jockey Davy Condon always had matters well in hand and after a fine leap at the final flight, Snowy Morning was pushed out to score by a comfortable four and a half lengths.

Mullins said: “I’m happy with that, if I can find a similar race I’ll be delighted.

“We’ll try and win another hurdle but he might go for a chase at Tramore on New Year’s Day, he won’t run in the Lexus, though.”

Odds-on favourite Kazal was an early casualty in an incident-packed Stamullen Beginners Chase won by Robert Tyner’s The Halfway Bar (12/1).

Kazal’s exit at the second fence left the race wide open, and Andrew McNamara waited patiently on The Halfway Bar before striking the front at the last.

High Fidelitay produced a strong late rally, but it was too little too late, as The Halfway Bar won by three and a half lengths.