Great start for Hughes at Fairyhouse
Sarteano held the late rally of Jewel Of The West to take top honours in the opening Lexeme Retail Novice Handicap Hurdle at Fairyhouse today.
The six-year-old broke his duck over obstacles at Down Royal back in November but three subsequent disappointments meant he was sent off at 25-1 for this competitive handicap.
The Dessie Hughes inmate travelled powerfully under Roger Loughran and after being ridden to the front approaching the final flight, he kept up the gallop to score by a neck.
Hughes said: "He was a decent horse on the Flat in Germany. He won his maiden well up in the North (Down Royal) but then he went wrong on us. He had lung problems but he has been back to himself the last six weeks and it's a great start to the week."
