Easter par for Hold The Pin

There was no Irish Grand National joy for Meath trainers or jockeys at Fairyhouse on Easter Monday where the feature event brought the curtain down on a 40-year sponsorship association with Powers Whiskey. Back in 1970 the first Powers race was won by Garoupe and on Monday, the Cork-trained Bluesea Cracker denied Summerhill native Martin Lynch his first victory in the race as a trainer when finishing four lengths in front of the Robert Power-partnered Oscar Time. Navan jockey Andrew Thornton got a fine run out of the Pat Martin-trained Agus A Vic to finish in fifth place and earn €7,500 for the owner while Robbie Colgan managed a seventh place finish with Leanne for trainer Bill Harney. Tony Martin's Saddler's Storm which was sent offf at 7/1 favourite fell six from home while Paul Carberry only got as far as the second before parting company with Across The Bay. Carberry was stood down for the rest of the meeting after the fall. However, there was some consolation for Martin when he won a handicap hurdle with Hold The Pin for a local syndicate. Davy Russell produced Hold The Pin with a well-timed run and hit the front between the last two flights. "He just missed out getting into the National and is an unlucky horse," said Martin. "The boys have stuck with him though and it's great that he won today, he could go to Punchestown," added the trainer. Martin went on to complete a double when Psycho won the Arkle Bar Novice Handicap Chase. Monday was the highlight of the three-day Easter Festival at Fairyhouse and attracted a crowd of 13, 127 racegoers. Dunshaughlin-based trainer Eddie Lynam produced Sole Power to win on the flat at Dundalk on Saturday. Pat Smullen hit the front over a furlong out and won well. "We have been very easy on him, we will keep him over five furlongs after this," stated Lynam.