No stopping Meade

FAIRYHOUSE REPORT: Noel Meade wound up a bumper Easter Festival with another pair of winners at Fairyhouse yesterday.

Thari ran out an impressive winner of the Grade Three Novice Hurdle and the trainer brought his Festival total to seven winners as Strong Run came home a smooth winner of the Dan Moore Chase.

Even so, Meade was left wondering what might have been at Cheltenham if Strong Run (fourth in the Mildmay Of Flete) had been ridden by Paul Carberry.

"I'm not saying Carl (Llewellyn) gave him a bad ride, but I just think he would have won if Paul had not been hurt because he knows him a lot better," Meade said.

The big two-mile chase at the Punchestown Festival could be next for Strong Run while the two-mile novice is on the cards for Thari who emerged a smooth length and a half winner from One Night Out.

"He jumps, stays and has a bit of boot," Meade surmised after deciding on this race rather than a trip to Liverpool.

"Mind you, riding him like that helps a bit too!"

The Galway Man's exalted reputation was left somewhat tarnished when he couldn't cope with The Biker in a hot looking bumper.

The winner was making his first start and had too much toe in the closing stages for the favourite who would probably prefer softer going.

Nevertheless, The Biker's trainer, John Kiely, was impressed and said: "He jumps well so he is a horse I will be looking forward to next year. He is still green and will hopefully improve. He is a horse worth minding."

Oneofourown's love affair with the three-mile handicap chase continued yesterday when he won it again, adding to his victory in 2000 and a runner-up placing last year. His jockey, John Cullen, had earlier lifted the Beginners Chase on Kimberley who was a length too good for Never Compromise.

"I never thought it was going to happen this week. We've had seconds and thirds, and a horse breaking his leg," said a relieved Pat Hughes who was sporting a sling for an injured arm. I got a kick from Rapid Deployment - and two more from him since in the betting ring!"

Spirit Leader started favourite for the mares novice final but again had to settle for the runner-up spot behind Verney Bird who was a length and a half too good under Adrian Lane.

Ger Lyon, successful with Big-And-Bold on Tuesday, saddled Monitor to land the charity sweepstakes.