National Hunt racing is back at Fairyhouse Racecourse this Saturday with an eight-race card, consisting of two steeplechases, five races over hurdles and one fillies’ bumper. Read on for a preview of and tips for the Fairyhouse card, courtesy of BOYLE Sports, who provide all the latest horse racing odds.
We begin with an extended two-mile beginners’ chase (11.30). This should be quite an open contest with many chances among the 13 runners but the Emmet Mullins-trained McLaurey ought to be able to build on a good chase debut for fourth place of 11 at Thurles last month. He could be our winner, but is owner JP McManus’ second string in the race, the first being Karoline Banbou, who runs for Willie Mullins.
Next we have a rated novice chase over two miles and five furlongs (12.02). There are some nice horses in this race, but Gordon Elliott’s The Enabler’s chance is hard to shake. The six-year-old was third on chase debut at Punchestown last month on testing ground, similar to today’s conditions. Elliott’s yard are in fine form and he should have another winner here.
A two-mile three-year-olds’ maiden hurdle is next (12.32). Again, JP McManus owns a couple of the runners, the first string being Simple Things, who is ridden by retained jockey Mark Walsh. This daughter of Getaway was a good third of 14 on debut over course and distance on similar ground and she looks to be the one to beat now.
A novice handicap hurdle follows over two miles (1.05). With 19 runners, this race could go a number of ways, but Kentucky Beach is one to take very seriously after a close second on seasonal reappearance at Gowran Park. Lower down the weights, though, The Man’s Room is effective on a difficult surface and could be the one to beat him here.
Race five is a three-mile maiden hurdle (1.40). Gordon Elliott’s Bally Free must be highly respected as a point-to-point winner who was fourth of 14 on hurdle debut last month. We know he can stay this trip, based on his hurdle form, and both the trainer’s and the jockey’s form are hard to argue with at present.
Following is the first division of a two and a half mile handicap hurdle (2.15). Very able on heavy ground like this, Tony Martin’s Teds Corner looks to be a good option, having placed over course and distance two starts ago off the same mark. Ciaran Murphy’s Destiville also looks competitive and could run to a place at least.
In the second division (2.50), Patrick Foley’s Koolio Kate could make good progress on handicap debut. The mare was fourth of 19 in a maiden hurdles when last seen at Limerick last month and, slightly up in trip here on a potentially generous mark, she could be the main danger.
Racing concludes with a four-year-old fillies’ bumper (3.25). Most of the 17 runners haven’t been seen on a racecourse before, so this is not going to be an easy race to judge. Henry De Bromhead’s Ash Hobbs is the only one with winning point-to-point form, so is bound to be involved here, but Emmet Mullins’ newcomer Spring Elegance has a promising pedigree and represents a stable in good form, so could also be in the mix. Willie Mullins’ charge, Babyburn, a half sister to Ballyburn, should be the best quality and ought to be winning her debut.
Watch all the racing live on Racing TV, where you can also find Cheltenham betting offers.
Fairyhouse selections – Saturday:
11.30 – McLaurey
12.02 – The Enabler
12.32 – Simple Things
1.05 – The Man’s Room
1.40 – Bally Free
2.15 – Teds Corner
2.50 – Koolio Kate
3.25 – Babyburn
