Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better after The Becher and the Tingle Creek, the Irish bring on the main event. What a day’s racing at Fairyhouse we have today. No fewer than 4 graded races with some fabulous horses on display and a really strong chase from Huntingdon back in Blighty.
Fairyhouse
12:40 Bar One Racing Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 3) 2m
Let’s see if we can get any Triumph Hurdle clues from this race. Landofhopeandglory brings his unbeaten hurdle record to the table but he hasn’t beaten much yet and this will be a proper test of his credentials. Soir De Chantenay should keep him honest but his French form when winning wasn’t up to much which brings us to Mega Fortune for the all-conquering Elliott yard who was very impressive at Down Royal. It’s an O’Brien, Elliott match for us and the call is with Mega Fortune.
2 units win Mega Fortune
1:10 Bar One Racing Royal Bond Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m
The Willie Mullins roadshow is back in town and in this race he brings three big players to the battle. Airlie Beach who is a perfect six from six and has Danny Mullins on board. Saturnas, who on debut produced a 135 performance to win and Penhill, a 100 rated flat horse who has won four of five and is the choice of Ruby Walsh, surely a tip in itself. Henry De Bromhead runs Peace News who ran to a huge 133 when winning on hurdles debut, hinted at a big future ahead. Just to add a bit more spice to the race, Gordon Elliott brings Labaik who is also 2 from 2 over flights and has put up a 140 effort last time out. It really is a special race with the Supreme at Cheltenham in mind for at least two or three of these. We will side with Labaik, who should be some value in a really good race.
1 unit e/w Labaik
1:40 Bar One Racing Hatton´s Grace Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m4f
No fewer than three horses have won this race and then won the Champion Hurdle and there is a fair chance that next year’s winner is in this field. It’s a great line up. Apples Jade had a hard race when narrowly denied in the Fighting Fifth last week, but if she lines up again she could be tough to beat. Willie brings the big guns with Whiteout, Shaneshill and Vroum Vroum Mag, the latter with a unbeaten run of six to defend. The winner has to be in those four and as unoriginal as it is we are huge fans of Vroum Vroum and she looks to have a very bright future in store.
4 units win Vroum Vroum Mag
2:10 Bar One Racing Handicap Hurdle (Grade A) 2m
Irish handicaps in both codes are notoriously tough, particularly ones for so much money. Sempre Medici deserves respect but no horse has won this race carrying top weight in 10 years. Mick Jazz was narrowly beaten by Labaik and that form might look really good if Labaik wins our earlier race. Morga ran well last time out finishing third when tipped up by us at a big price, but the handicapper might have him now. Sir Scorpion is of interest and any softening of the ground will really suit him after being put up 8 lbs last time out. Ice Cold Soul could be in off a real snip if he is right to run for Noel Meade first time out since December last year.
1 unit e/w Mick Jazz
1 unit e/w Sir Scorpion
2:40 Bar One Racing Drinmore Novice Chase (Grade 1) 2m4f
They will all have to go to beat our last time out selection A Toi Phil who was so impressive. Anibale Fly looks the type to progress this year after a win first time out this season and the chance to improve again. Diamond King hasn’t done anything wrong and again won on seasonal debut but they are all playing for places if the top one jumps and travels well once more.
3 units win A Toi Phil
Huntingdon
2:00 Peterborough Chase (Grade 2) Cl1 2m3f189y
This one gets the pulse racing. Dodging Bullets was well backed over a longer trip that his trainer thought should really suit. However, he was pulled up far too early for us to know if he was right and he is the fly in the ointment. If he is fit and stays, he will win. That’s a lot of ifs though. Volnay De Thaix is talented but is he up to winning a race of this calibre? Much is expected of More of That but he also looked laboured in his comeback run before pulling up – does he have the speed for this? Art Mauresque has some strong form but not yet at this level. Tea for Two was a Grade 1 winner last year over a bit further and might be caught for a turn of foot if they don’t go a gallop and Josses Hill is a strong runner at this level. Another terrific race. We will take a chance that Paul Nicholls has Dodging Bullets right for this run.
2 units win Dodging Bullets.
