Andrew Lynch double at Fairyhouse

Meath trainers Tom Gibney and Matthew Smith provided the ammunition for Ashbourne jockey Andrew Lynch's double at Fairyhouse today.

The Tom Gibney-trained Play The Game won the Easter Festival 1st-3rd April Maiden Hurdle at Fairyhouse today for the first of two inners for the popular Ashbourne jackey.

Lynch partnered the 11/4 shot for owner Derek Kierans to win by a length from Champagne Lady with the Gavin Cromwell-trained Political Policy in third place.

Lynch was back in the winners' enclosure for the next race when he brought the Kilmessan-trained Maeve's Choice home in front for trainer Matthew Smith.

Maeve's Choice was returned at 20/1 and got the better of the more-fancied Benefit Of Magic from the Jessica Harrington stable with Robbie Power on board.

Jockey Chris Meehan won the last at Fairyhouse with the Gordon Elliott-trained Poormans Hill.

CHELTENHAM

At Cheltenham, Barry Geraghty was on the mark for JP McManus in the opener when he guided the Nicky Henderson-trained Apple's Shakira to victory in the JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle.