National Hunt racing returns to Fairyhouse today with a seven-race card, featuring three races over hurdles, three over fences and concluding with a 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.
First up is a two-mile four-year-olds’ hurdle (12.45). This is a very competitive-looking affair, with lots of potential and promising previous form on show. Willie Mullins runs a pair of French hurdle winners, both in prominent colours; Macho Man for Mrs J Donnelly and Proactif for JP McManus. Both have similar profiles and are hard to choose between, so the market may be the best indicator. Combs should represent some nice each-way value too.
Next is a mares’ maiden hurdle run over two and a quarter miles (1.15). Another for Willie Mullins, Bambino Fever’s choice seems obvious here. This mare was unbeaten in Graded bumpers last term and began this season well at Naas, narrowly beaten by a smart prospect of Gordon Elliott’s. Henry De Bromhead’s Miss Doyenne looks most likely to run to a place behind her.
A three-mile handicap hurdle follows (1.45). Bal Kauto should be competitive, back on his hurdle mark here, as a well-proven stayer with a nice weight in this race as well as seven pounds from his rider. Gavin Cromwell’s The Lovely Man makes plenty of appeal, having won when last seen out over fences, but is back on his more attractive hurdle mark here. Gordon Elliott’s Find A Fortune could be a value option, though, returning for the season here and looks underestimated by the market.
Race four is a Grade Three handicap chase run over two miles and a furlong (2.15). Blood Destiny – a consistent Graded performer – is the topweight, but his mark may make way for stablemate Western Diego, who is capable on his day but has not won for two years now. Tullyhill could be interesting if back to his best and the move back to two miles is attractive.
A beginners’ chase follows, run over the same trip (2.50). Karoline Banbou was good on her first start over the larger obstacles at this track last time, so improvement could be expected and she has the useful mares’ allowance. Dr Eggman could outrun his odds and just might surprise on this drop down in trip under Danny Mullins.
Our penultimate race is a novice chase run over two and three quarter miles (3.25). Andrew McNamara’s Choccabloc could be underestimated by the market, having been unimpressive over fences so far. Those poor runs could be attributed to heavier than ideal ground and jumping errors, though, and this looks a nicer race for him. Me Wee Bonnie Lass could pick up a place.
Finally, racing concludes with a bumper (4.00). Thomas Cooper’s Pinndar is the only newcomer here, a relative of the Grade One Royal Bond winner Ballyadam, and he could turn out to be smart. The Wager should be the one to beat, though, having been the close runner-up to the very talented Santo Sospir in a Punchestown bumper last term.
You can watch Fairyhouse live on Racing TV, who also provide free bets for Cheltenham.
Fairyhouse selections – Wednesday:
12.45 – Macho Man
1.15 – Bambino Fever
1.45 – Find A Fortune e/w
2.15 – Tullyhill e/w
2.50 – Dr Eggman
3.25 – Choccabloc
4.00 – The Wager
