Irish maiden hurdles have an awful stench - but how do we clean the air?
Only a fortnight after Constitution Hill transformed from a beast into a monster at Newcastle, another terrifying creature appeared at Fairyhouse. Were you ready for another one? Aren't monsters like these only supposed to come along once every decade or so?
The creature in question is Facile Vega, of course. Unbeaten,
unruffled by obstacles and unrelenting in the second division of the Fingal Ravens Raceday Maiden Hurdle at Fairyhouse last Saturday. It was a monstrous performance to these eyes and, apart from a slight jink before three out, it was just about the perfect start to hurdles.
Bookmakers agreed and Paddy Power had no hesitation in slashing him into 5-4 (from 7-4) for the Supreme Novices'. Damn right. I personally wouldn't like to be laying him at any price above evens.
Read the full story
Read award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing, with exclusive news, interviews, columns, investigations, stable tours and subscriber-only emails.
Subscribe to unlock
- Racing Post digital newspaper (worth over £100 per month)
- Award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing
- Expert tips from the likes of Tom Segal and Paul Kealy
- Replays and results analysis from all UK and Irish racecourses
- Form study tools including the Pro Card and Horse Tracker
- Extensive archive of statistics covering horses, trainers, jockeys, owners, pedigree and sales data
Already a subscriber?Log in
Published on inComment
Last updated
- We know that times are tight - but racecourses really do need to step up and improve outdated weighing rooms
- The budget has heaped even more trouble on racing - and I fear many trainers will now decide the numbers just don't add up
- Why I think Cheltenham Festival handicaps need to change - JP McManus writes exclusively for the Racing Post
- No-one has ever emerged from the womb wearing a trilby - racing's future survival hangs on pursuing a young audience
- Four score and ten just a number to Peter Harris as July Cup triumph shows there's more to the elderly than medical conditions
- We know that times are tight - but racecourses really do need to step up and improve outdated weighing rooms
- The budget has heaped even more trouble on racing - and I fear many trainers will now decide the numbers just don't add up
- Why I think Cheltenham Festival handicaps need to change - JP McManus writes exclusively for the Racing Post
- No-one has ever emerged from the womb wearing a trilby - racing's future survival hangs on pursuing a young audience
- Four score and ten just a number to Peter Harris as July Cup triumph shows there's more to the elderly than medical conditions