Egality Mans

Egality Mans only finished fourth in the beginners’ chase that opened proceedings at Fairyhouse last Saturday, but he travelled like the best horse in the race most of the way, and he should be able to step forward from this.

Prominent from flagfall, he led until Frontal Assault took it off him on the run away from the stands, but he travelled well for Danny Mullins from there. He jumped to the front again at the second fence down the back straight, and he led from there to the home turn, where he travelled best. If anything, he travelled too well, he was probably doing a little more than his rider wanted, and that may have told in the end as, after travelling best into the home straight, he came under pressure on the run to the second last fence, and he faded from there to finish fourth behind the three Gordon Elliott-trained horses.

This was just Egality Mans’ second chase, and it was his first time to complete over fences. Winner of his maiden hurdle over two miles at Naas last February, he was travelling well in front in the Grade 2 two-and-a-half-mile novice hurdle at Fairyhouse in April when he came down at the third last flight. He wasn’t travelling as well as his stable companion En Beton in a beginners’ chase at Punchestown on his debut this season when he came down at the second last fence over two miles and seven furlongs, but the winner was probably an under-rated horse going into that race, and that two-mile-seven-furlong trip probably stretched Egality Mans’ stamina anyway, especially on his seasonal return. There is stamina in his pedigree, his half-brother Coquin Mans won that Grade 2 novices’ hurdle at Fairyhouse at Easter, and he won twice over three miles over hurdles, but their dam won a 10-furlong bumper in France and, given how well Egality Mans travels through his race, it might be worthwhile dropping him back down to two miles.
Fairyhouse, 29^th January 2022