Fairyhouse‘s Hatton’s Grace meeting is a two-day extravaganza worth savouring. 11 individual Grade 1 winners came out of Sunday’s card last year to win 13 Grade 1s between them. That’s an unbelievable record and it surely means everyone should be keeping a close eye on Fairyhouse this weekend, with their trackers at the ready and notebooks out. Here are the three races on Saturday which could have a massive impact on the rest of the season. Check out our free tips page for daily content across British and Irish racing.
This beginners chase is likely to provide plenty of important form pointers. Three of the first four in the market contested the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in March and Festival winner Good Time Johnny is also set to make his chasing debut here. Willie Mullins’ Nick Rockett made a good impression when winning a Grade 2 novice hurdle here in April. Corbetts Cross and Three Card Brag both ran well in the Albert Bartlett and should become smart chasers.
Verdict: Corbetts Cross would have undoubtedly gone close if he hadn’t of ran out in the Albert Bartlett. He’s a scopey type that should come into his own over fences.
Facile Vega won this race last year and he went on to win Grade 1 novice hurdles. Mullins runs the hugely promising Ballyburn this year and he could go to the very top of the novice hurdling tree this season, having won both his bumpers. Gordon Elliott takes him on with the promising Firefox and both horses have Grade 1 potential.
Verdict: Ballyburn could be Willie Mullins’ star novice this season and he’s ante-post favourite for the Ballymore for a reason. Anything other than victory here would be disappointing.
Gordon Elliott put Jalon D’oudairies up as a dark horse to follow in his stable tour and he’s excited to unleash him. His other runner Binge Worthy shouldn’t be ruled out either, as he’s also an Irish point winner. Willie Mullins runs debutant Inn At The Park and his frightening strike-rate in Irish bumpers this term means the horse is a likely contender.
Verdict: Jalon D’oudairies is clearly a horse to look forward to and can make a winning start here. Harry Swann’s 5lb claim gives him an edge over the Mullins runner and he can take full advantage.
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