Hi all,
Fairyhouse three-day Easter festival gets underway today. There’s sure to be competitive fields over the three days which culminates on Monday with Irish Grand National
This side of the Irish Sea there’s racing from two courses on ITV4 on Saturday afternoon. The seven race programme is a mix of NH and Flat action.
At Haydock it’s the Challenger Series Finals Day. And at Musselburgh it’s the return of the flat with the feature race being the valuable Tote Summer World Pool Queen’s Cup (3.35).
In today’s preview all seven races that are being covered on ITV this afternoon. Plus, as a bit of a bonus I have looked at the two valuable big field handicap hurdles on the Fairyhouse card.
NB. Saturday’s selections and betting advice will be with you on Saturday morning.
Musselburgh
It was good to soft, soft in places at Musselburgh on Friday morning but the ground should be drying out a bit and I wouldn’t expect there to be too much soft around.
ITV are covering four competitive handicaps from Musselburgh. I looked at the final two races in Wednesday & Thursday’s columns so I will look at the first two races on the card.
1:50 – tote £250K Guaranteed Placepot Royal Mile Handicap (Class 3) – 1m
Nine have been declared for a race that for the last five seasons has been either won by Mark & Charlie Johnson or Richard Fahey. Charlie Johnson who is the sole licence holder saddles Lion Of War and Finn’s Charm. Richard Fahey who saddled the winner in the 2017 & 2019 runs Gincident. I peeked at the race at Monday’s final confirmation stage and had a shortlist of nine, well six of them have stood their ground. Which means the race remains an ultra-competitive one.
Lion Of War is the bookies early bird favourite and is respected with Osin Murphy in the saddle. But I slightly prefer stablemate Finn’s Charm. It will be interesting if the son of Kingman has trained on from two to three, but he won a maiden here of 7f last summer and is respected if reproducing his 3 ¼ length 4th of 13 to Holloway Boy in the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Gincident improved to win three times on the all-weather this winter. Must prove he’s as good to the grass but provided they a go a decent pace shouldn’t be far away.
Dumfries is a rare Musselburgh runner for Marcus Tregoning, his first in the last five years. The colt got off the mark at the fourth attempt when making a winning return to action in a Southwell maiden last month. That was an improved performance and if he can replicate that improvement on grass won’t be far away on handicap debut.
2:25 – tote.co.uk Bet£5Get£20 Musselburgh Silver Arrow Handicap (Class 2)
Final declarations saw twelve left in another competitive handicap. Six of my nine strong shortlist were declared which hasn’t made things any easier.
Autumn Festival was well placed to win his last five starts last season. The latest of them coming over C&D in October. He will face pace pressure on his return to action and stall 11 isn’t great for a prominent racer.
Abduction was a length behind Autumn Festival over C&D on his final 2022 start and his 2lb better off here. He didn’t get the best of runs inside the final furlong and was an unlucky loser that day. Has serious claims if ready to roll on his seasonal reappearance.
Last year’s winner Gweedore bids for back to back successes. The 6-year-old is 2lb above his last winning mark and ended last season with a good length third to Autumn Festival over C&D in October. Billy Loughnane takes off a handy 5lb which brings him firmly into consideration.
The Gatekeeper has race fitness on his side and should be suited by the return to 7f. Provided he didn’t have a hard race when a 2 ¼ length 5th of 22 in last Saturday’s Spring Mile he won’t be far away.
3:00 – tote World Pool Scottish Sprint Cup Handicap (Class 2) – 5f
Last year’s winner Zarzyni is 2lb lower this time around but doesn’t have the benefit of a recent run like 12 months ago. Still, he’s respected if ready to roll first time.
The bookies early bird favourite Came From The Dark finished a head 3rd of 13 in the race two years ago, from 2lb higher, and then went onto win a Newbury handicap and a Group 3 at Sandown that season. He failed to get anywhere near his smart 2021 form on five starts last season and has questions to answer but he’s now down to a good mark.
Makanah likely faces some better treated rivals but he’s 3-7, 5 places over C&D and he was a 1 ¾ length 4th of 11 in this race 12 months ago (4lb lower). He had to wait for gap that day and if he got earlier would have gone close. Stablemate Look Out Louis would of more interest back at Chester.
Count D’orsay is on a long losing run but ran several good races last season that makes the 7-year-old very well handicapped. He’s suited by some juice in the ground and if he’s fully tuned up for his seasonal return would have a squeak.
3:35 – tote Summer World Pool Queen’s Cup (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2) – 1m 6f
Several on my initial short list including Approachability, Prince Alex and Coltor failed to get into the race.
The bookies early bird favourite is the Andrew Balding trained Spirit Mixer (6/1). The 5-year-old has developed into a useful handicapper up to 2m. He’s respected on his ½ length 2nd of 20 to Trueshan in last season’s Northumberland Plate. Provided he gets a decent stamina test at this trip he’ll be there or thereabouts.
The strong travelling Wise Eagle (9/1) is another who will be favoured by a well-run race. He goes well at the track with form figures of 1211. Two of those successes have come over C&D and he stays much further. Danny Tudhope who is 3-4 on the 6-year-old has already been booked for the ride.
Themaxwecan won this two years ago but was well beaten 12 months ago. Osin Murphy has been jocked up already which is eyecatching but he does prefer good or quicker ground. If he gets underfoot conditions, he’s not handicapped out of things.
Dark Jedi had the benefit of a recent run last when 2nd of 14 to Enemy in last year’s race. He’s a useful middle distance handicapper who should give his running but he’s vulnerable to any better treated rivals.
Pleasant Man a useful staying handicapper when trained by Roger Charlton, winning a Class 2 handicap at Yarmouth in September 2021. He’s been in consistent form over hurdles this winter without winning for Paul Nicholls. Back on the flat for the first time since his Yarmouth win and competitively treated.
Last year’s winning trainer Ian Williams saddles East Asia. Useful on his day he’s not been the easiest to keep sound and probably needed his first start for ten months when a 5 ¾ length 5th of 7 at Kempton 24-days ago.
Veterans Euchen Glen and Nicholas T aren’t handicapped out of it but their running styles aren’t really suited to the track and it seems they won’t get the really strong pace they need.
Haydock
It’s good to soft at Haydock but the prospect of a couple of dry days means the Clerk of the Course has turned the taps on. There are good sized field for the three Challenger Series Finals being broadcast by ITV4.
I don’t have the time to look at the three races here but if you want my preview’s and selections they can be found here.
1:30 – cavani.co.uk Challenger Two Mile Hurdle Series Final Handicap Hurdle – 1m 7 ½ f
Bubble Dubi got off the mark at the fifth attempt over hurdles when winning at Stratford last month. He’s up 5lb but of the fourteen runners he’s the one capable of more improvement and provided they go a good gallop won’t be far away.
Takeiteasy is well suited by a speed favouring two miles and is nicely treated on the best of his back form. He wouldn’t want the ground to soft as his best form has come on a sounder surface.
Big Boy Bobby looked like a future handicap hurdle winner when finishing a head 2nd of 14 to No Ordinary Joe at Kempton over Christmas. Pulled up at Fakenham last month on a return from an 111 week break but a reproduction of his Kempton performance would see him on the premises for a yard among the winners.
Castel Gandolfo was a ½ length 2nd of 11 in last years race off today’s mark. First run for 156-days for the 6-year-old but he’s gone well fresh in the past and needs respecting on a sound surface.
2:40 – cavani.co.uk Challenger Staying Chase Series Final Handicap Chase – 3m ½ f
Mucho Mas bids for the hat trick after wins at Lingfield and Sandown. He’s up 4lb but is a progressive staying handicap chaser and likely capable of defying it on soft ground.
Feival was 1 ¼ lengths behind Mucho Mas at Sandown. Unseated at Wetherby last time so needs to jump better but is handicapped to go close and on quicker ground could reverse placings with Mucho Mas.
Small Present has twice won over hurdlers here including the 3m handicap hurdle on this card two years ago. He remains a maiden after six starts over fences but his best effort over the larger obstacles when a 2 ½ length 3rd of 15 to Bangers And Cash in the Lincolnshire National would give him a chance here.
Enqarde has been well out of sorts on four starts this season, but he did win the Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase over C&D last season, off 3 lb higher, and finished runner-up in this race 12 months ago. Too well handicapped to totally rule out but there has to be a question about his present well-being.
3:15 – cavani.co.uk Challenger Stayers Hurdle Series Final Handicap Hurdle (Class 2) – 3m ½ f
There have only been six renewals of this handicap hurdle and Jonjo O’Neill has saddled three of the winners. Not surprising then to see his runner Itso Fury prominent in the betting. The 6-year-old returned from three month absence to finish a good 7 ½ length 3rd of 12 at Ascot last time. He’s likely been aimed at this race and should go well with drying ground looking a positive.
Farmers Gamble posted a career best when winning an Exeter handicap hurdle in February. Up 9lb but going the right way. However, his best form has come on softer so drying ground may not see him at his very best.
My Bobby Dazzler bounced back to something like his best when a 6 ½ length 2nd of 15 at Chepstow 42-days ago. Vulnerable to less exposed rivals but not totally dismissed.
The Changing Man began the season with handicap hurdle successes at Ffos Las & Uttoxeter. Finished runner-up on his three starts before an excellent 5 length 8th of 23 in the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham. Likely to give his running for a yard 4-20 in the past 14-days.
Hyland returned from a 12 week absence with 1 ¼ length 2nd of 7 at Newbury last month. The step up to 3m suited the 6-year-old at Newbury and although he’s been nudged up 3lb he remains with handicap scope now that Nicky Henderson knows he stays the trip. Another who will appreciate any drying ground.
Fairyhouse
It’s started to dry out at Fairyhouse with going being described as soft on Friday afternoon.
4:30 – I.N.H. Stallion Owners EBF Novice Handicap Hurdle Series Final (Grade B) – 3m ½ f
Progressive staying hurdler Verdant Place bids for the hat trick after two handicap successes at Punchestown. He relished the step up to 3m last time and even though he’s been hiked up 10lb for his latest win Aidan Kelly takes off a handy 7lb. He’s unexposed over 3m and has to be high on the shortlist.
Seabank Bistro looked like a useful staying hurdle prospect when winning a Naas novice in January. He pulled up in the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham last time. Questions to answer after his Cheltenham performance but could easily get back on track on handicap hurdle debut.
Western Walk made a winning debut for new trainer Jonathan Sweeney when winning a Naas maiden (2m 6 ½ f) last month. That was the 6-year-old’s first start in over 9 months so there could be more to come from him on handicap debut. One for the shortlist although he may prove at his best on a sounder surface.
5:05 – RYBO Handicap Hurdle (Grade A) – 2m ½ f
With £53,097 on offer to the winner this is the most valuable race either side of the Irish Sea on Saturday.
Sixteen have been declared and I can make a decent case for seven of them.
Jazzy Matty a previous C&D winner just prevailed in a driving finish to win a competitive Boodles Juvenile hurdle at Cheltenham 25 days ago. Risk Belle was a ¼ length back in third in the same race. That was an improved effort from the filly and in receipt of 2lb could finish ahead of Jazzy Matty this time around. Both horses must be on the shortlist, but a lot depends on how hard a race the juveniles had last time.
Peter Fahey trained runners must be respected in this sort of race, and he saddles The Big Doyen. The 6-year-old, twice a bumper winner is a four race maiden over hurdles but did finish runner-up on his first three starts over timber. Ran poorly in a Listed novice hurdle at Navan 55-days ago but he could improve for going handicapping for the first time.
Thomas Mullins won this in 2015 and he’s got a live contender in Hey Johnny. A winner at Thurles he was a good 5 ¼ length 3rd of 18 at Naas 41-days ago. Not easy to rule out with Rachel Blackmore booked.
Captains Nephew looked much improved when winning a Clonmel maiden 51-days ago. The drop back to 2m suited the 6-year-old as did soft ground last time. Put up 11lb by the handicapper for that success but not discounted on handicap debut.
Shanroe, a useful performer on the flat and over hurdles. He won a novice handicap hurdle over C&D at this meeting in 2021 and isn’t one to take lightly especially if the ground continues to dry out. First run since November for the 9-year-old but he’s gone well fresh in the past and could get into the places.
Ballybawn Belter got off the mark at the fifth attempt over hurdles when winning the valuable Paddy Mullins Mares Handicap Hurdle (2m 1f) at the Dublin Racing Festival. Up 8lb for her latest success but much of that weight rise is negated by the booking of 7lb conditional Aidan Kelly. The mare looked like she might appreciate further at Leopardstown which is a slight concern but provided the forecast strong pace materialises should be fine and she’s open to further improvement.
Cheers
John