The Echo Boy

There was a lot to like about the performance that The Echo Boy put up in winning the opening beginners’ chase at Fairyhouse on Tuesday.

Smartly away, he quickly settled into a nice rhythm in front for Conor Maxwell. He was a little hesitant at the first fence, but he warmed to his task nicely, his jumping was good thereafter, apart from at the second fence racing away from the stands, and he led all the way. He was challenged by Fauguernon and Hostage To Fortune at the third last fence, but he eased away from those two rivals around the home turn, popped the last two fences and kept on well to win nicely.

It was a nice performance by Dermot McLoughlin’s horse on just his fourth run over fences. He had just been caught by subsequent winner and now 132-rated Jack Hackett in a similar contest at Kilbeggan on his penultimate run before this, and he put a disappointing run at Thurles in the interim behind him here. He seemed to enjoy himself on the soft ground and galloping away out in front. A dual point-to-point winner, this was just his fourth run over fences under Rules, so he has the potential to continue to progress, and he could improve again for a step back up to three miles.

Fairyhouse, 3^rd November 2020, © Sportinglife.com 9th November 2020