Gritty Fairyland gets back up to deny The Mackem Bullet in Lowther Stakes thriller

FAIRYLAND (6-4f) made it three wins from four starts as she battled gamely to fend off The Mackem Bullet in Thursday’s opener.

Aidan O’Brien’s two-year-old looked in trouble a hundred yards from home, but found extra to get back up in a desperate photo-finish.

In a race full of drama, Ryan Moore showed why he’s the best around, taking Fairyland to the head of affairs as soon as the gates opened.

The pair controlled the contest as, one by one, her rivals came off the bridle – and soon only The Mackem Bullet (25-1) had the pace to go with her.

With only a few strides to go, Brian Ellison’s challenger put her head in front but was unable to see off the favourite, who knuckled down bravely to nose back ahead on the line.

A photo-finish had to be called to separate the two, but Aidan O’Brien’s £925,000 purchase was was deemed to have done just enough.

Afterwards the trainer was thrilled, and said: “Ryan did great to get her back up.

“We’re delighted really. She was on the easy list for a little bit and obviously because of that she was a little behind fitness-wise.

“Physically she has done very well and you’d have to be delighted. There’s more to come from her I think, as she travels very well and is very genuine and brave.

“I think we were always thinking she’s a Cheveley Park filly, so we’ll probably do that. We might even stretch her out to a mile next year – if they’re good enough they’ll get the trip.”

Second favourite Angel’s Hideaway enjoyed a luckless passage under Frankie Dettori, and after being hampered could never get competitive.

Queen Jo Jo (16-1) filled out the places for trainer Kevin Ryan.