Luck of the Irish extends to Fontwell staff as they survive weather scare

Irish-themed entertainment was the order of the day as Fontwell Park staged its popular annual St Patrick’s meeting.
Finnegan's Garden on the way to a St Patrick's victory at Fontwell / Picture by Clive Bennett - www.polopictures.co.ukFinnegan's Garden on the way to a St Patrick's victory at Fontwell / Picture by Clive Bennett - www.polopictures.co.uk
Finnegan's Garden on the way to a St Patrick's victory at Fontwell / Picture by Clive Bennett - www.polopictures.co.uk

Guinness flowed, Irish music was played and racegoers watched the last day of the Six Nations rugby action around the course.

Fontwell staff breathed a huge sigh of relief on Saturday morning when an inspection – called over fears high winds could result in the fixture being cancelled – ended with the go-ahead being given.

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On the track six different trainers and jockeys won races, with Rex Dingle and Anthony Honeyball both notching doubles.

Flashjack, nearest the camera, was another winner on Saturday / Picture by Clive Bennett - www.polopictures.co.ukFlashjack, nearest the camera, was another winner on Saturday / Picture by Clive Bennett - www.polopictures.co.uk
Flashjack, nearest the camera, was another winner on Saturday / Picture by Clive Bennett - www.polopictures.co.uk

The bet365 Mares’ Handicap Hurdle went to 11/8 favourite Duhallow Gesture, ridden by Dingle for Honeyball, while Page Fuller rode Finnegan’s Garden to a 5/1 success in the bet365.com Handicap Chase.

Frost and Frodon light up the FestivalNew race for fast fillies at GoodwoodFlashjack (7/2) took the bet365 Handicap Hurdle under Michael Nolan. The bet365 Handicap Chase went to James Best on Cap Horner (3/1).

The other winners were all tipped on the Observer website: Shapiro, 5/4 favourite in the EBF bet365 Mares’ “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle, also ridden by Dingle; Cilaos Glace (evens) in the bet365 Maiden Hurdle, and Hier Encore (100/30) in the bet365 Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle.

Fontwell race again on Friday, March 29.

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