Waaheb suffers shock defeat

There was a major turn-up in the opening race at Fairyhouse yesterday when the 1/4 favourite Waaheb could finish only third of five behind Art Of Logistics.

Second to Jezki in a Grade One at Leopardstown, Dermot Weld’s inmate was a faller on his next start and came here looking for a confidence booster.

However, his jumping was less than foot perfect in the Visit fairyhouse.ieFor Special Offers Hurdle, whereas Bryan Cooper was always travelling nicely on the 9/1 winner.

Art Of Logistics cruised into the lead at the second-last and though he scrambled over the final flight, he was able to hold off Midnight Oil to give Dessie Hughes yet another winner in a fine season.

Hughes said: “He looked a good horse when he won his bumper although he was still a bit weak when he won his maiden hurdle.

“He’ll come back here at Easter for a novice hurdle. He’s got a Flat pedigree and the slightly better ground certainly helped.”

Weld said of Waaheb: “He jumped well but the ground was tacky. He was disappointing.”

Tony McCoy’s trip to Fairyhouse reaped rewards when Western Man ran out a cosy winner of the two-and-a-half mile handicap hurdle.

McCoy had three booked rides yesterday but had to wait to the last of those before tasting success at the Co Meath track.

Alderimli blazed a trail in the race but Ronnie O’Leary’s charge moved through to give chase from the fourth last having been settled mid-division early.

“He’s got his head in front at last and I’m delighted with that,” said O’Leary.

“He jumps well and we’ll try to find another one like that.”