2.45pm Fairyhouse Tips & Betting Preview 17/12/2016

A couple of potential Cheltenham Festival handicappers take part in this interesting three mile beginners chase at Fairyhouse racecourse in Ireland. Read on for our expert analysis and tip for the race.

IN SUMMARY: It will be interesting to see if money comes for the JP McManus owned Blazer who was 4th in the Coral Cup at Cheltenham. He also has two chase runs to his name so has some experience over the fences but he does have a 253 day absence to overcome. That should set the race up nicely for MALL DINI, winner of the Pertemps at the Cheltenham Festival back in March. He won’t lack race fitness as he was given a nice pipe-opener at Punchestown last month where he was 3rd to Haymount from the Willie Mullins camp. He will strip much fitter here and Davy Russell is booked for the ride once more, no better man in the saddle. A Genie In Abottle also merits plenty of respect for Gigginstown.

1 A Genie In Abottle – Very promising chasing bow at Galway behind Nambour in October and found the very useful Martello Tower just too good here at Fairyhouse last time out, going down by a neck. He was just tapped for toe in the closing stages on that occasion so the step up in trip should be in his favour.

2 Arkwrisht – Looks the least likely winner from the Gigginstown House Stud trio of runners but he is a very interesting runner having his first run for Joseph O’Brien since leaving Willie Mullins. Won a Grade 3 hurdle at Clonmel in February but may need the run here and this is his first run over the larger obstacles.

3 Baily Moon – Mouse Morris had his best season ever last season and will do well to emulate it this time round. This Milan gelding is yet to win from 10 starts and was 29 lengths behind Alpha Des Obeaux at Thurles in October. He faces some very decent opposition here and looks an unlikely winner.

4 Be The Hero – Interesting Gigginstown runner trained by the bang in form Gordon Elliott. He was subject to plenty of market support last time out at Down Royal in a Beginners Chase but he fell in a race where A Toi Phil won for the same connections. Ended last season with two wide margin victories and certainly wouldn’t rule out a massive run here with Jack Kennedy booked for the ride.

5 Blazer – Very smart form in the book including a 4th place finish in this years’ Coral Cup behind the very smart Diamond King. Unlike some of his rivals, he has former chase experience which could be an advantage but like all JP McManus runners, the market is usually the best guide.

6 Mall Dini – Finished off last season with a brilliant win in the Pertemps Hurdle at Cheltenham and was given a satisfactory introduction at Punchestown last month when 3rd to a Willie Mullins improver on his first start over fences. Looks sure to be very hard to beat with that run under his belt and should strike under a patient Davy Russell.

7 Railway Tommy – Thoroughly exposed 8 year old who looks well out of his depth in this company. Last success was in 2015 and came off a mark of 113 so he has a huge amount to find against horses rated 140+. Would be a shock winner.

8 Rogarr – Tailed off on both starts to date and the price tag of 200/1 looks justified. No chance.

9 Annamatopoeia – 8 year old mare who has been remarkably consistent, placed on her last three starts between Cork and Wexford. Likely to find one or two too good but she won’t be too far away being in receipt of the seven pounds mares’ allowance. 8.5 lengths behind the highly progressive Listen Dear of the Willie Mullins camp last time out.