THE JOSEPH O’Reilly Hunters Chase might be the least valuable contest on the final day of a Fairyhouse festival card worth nearly €320,000 but Salsify can still justify star-billing.
The Co Cork father-son team of Rodger and Colman Sweeney provided a rare feel-good Irish story at Cheltenham last month with Salsify powering to Foxhunters glory.
He is back to try to repeat last year’s success in today’s hunter highlight and a new official rating of 137 gives him the clear beating of the 2011 Foxhunters winner Zemsky and On The Fringe.
 €100,000 prize fund for the Tattersalls Bumper sees Willie Mullins pitch four into the race, with his son Patrick on board the newcomer, Andiamos.
This is a race with little for punters to go on but Thunder And Roses does at least have the benefit of a point to point appearance.
Paul Carberry reunites with his Grand Annual winner Bellvano in the Dan Moore Chase but it’s another JP McManus hope, Shot From The Hip, who can emerge best, while the leading owner could also score in the opener with Ballynacree.
