Fairyhouse victim of heavy rain

RACING/Thurles report and news: Tommorrow's meeting at Fairyhouse has been abandoned due to heavy recent rain after the track was found to be unraceable following a 4 p.m. inspection yesterday.

The two steeplechase races at Thurles on Sunday have been abandoned because that part of the course is unfit.

Two of the remaining five races will be divided to make a seven-race programme, provided sufficient declarations are received.

Meanwhile, Jessia Harington's two-pronged assault on Thurles yesterday reaped a handsome dividend when both of her challengers, Soltero and Intelligent, duly obliged.

The Ballynonty Novice Hurdle attracted plenty of interest with the useful Rathgar Beau and Start Clipper going off at the head of affairs in the market but it was 11 to 2 shot Soltero that came out on top when he kept on well up front after the penultimate flight under an inspired ride from Ruby Walsh.

Half-an-hour later the Moone handler was back in the winners enclosure after Intelligent justified favouritism under an a confident ride from Robbie Power. The even-money chance forged into the lead over the second last under a tight rein and when D'ygrande threw down a challenge running down to the final flight Intelligent responded gamely and drew away again for a two length success.

"It's great to see them back in good form. Some of them were coughing before Christmas but last weekend they seemed to be back to their best. I'm delighted," said Harrington afterwards.

Ruby Walsh, successful in the opener, doubled up later when he teamed up with Eric McNamara's Keepakicker to win the first division of the Cahir Handicap Hurdle. "Poetry-in-motion" summed up the winning ride by McNamara, who added of the Red Star Syndicate-owned gelding: "He has schooled over fences and at least he should match his hurdling form when he does go chasing."

Ahead Of The Posse and Jimmy Mansell foiled a Walsh treble bid aboard Dalian Dawn in the second division much to the joy of local permit holder Eddie Hayden, who has just four horses in training, while Ballinrobe-based Michael Flannery struck in the next with recent course winner Sharp Risk.

One lucky Jackpot investor will always hold fond memories of yesterday's racing when Miss Joppy scored under Keith Mercer in the first division of the bumper resulting in a dividend of €18,302.

nThe Tote Jackpot pool could hit £130,000 sterling today when Newbury plays host, after all lines were sent crashing out before the final Jackpot leg at Ludlow yesterday.