Hi all,
It’s Easter Monday and Bank Holiday both sides of the Irish Sea. Which means plenty of racing today. Indeed, no less than nine meetings. Once again, the best of the action is at Fairyhouse with the feature race being the BoyleSports Irish Grand National (5:00).
The ITV cameras are covering four races from Fairyhouse this afternoon as well as three from Kempton’s all-weather card. The highlights of the good-looking Kempton card are the Unibet Rosebery Handicap (3:30) and the Listed Unibet Snowdrop Fillies’ Stakes (4:05). I have picks at both meetings which can be found at the end of the main piece. Let’s begin with the big race of the day the Irish Grand National.
Fairyhouse
5:00 – BoyleSports Irish Grand National – 3m
A maximum field of 30 runners is set to go post for the highlight of the Irish jumps season. Here are the ones on my shortlist.
Grade 1 winning hurdler Gaillard Du Mesnil heads the betting. The 6-year-old has run in Grade 1 novice chase company on his last two starts. And, was a 5 ¼ length 3rd of 9 to L’homme Presse in Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham last time. However, he does remain a maiden after four starts over fences and stamina for 3m 5f must be proven.
Gordon Elliot saddles no less than 11 of the runners. The best of his runners could well be Farclas Fakir D’alene and Frontal Assault.
Farclas hasn’t been seen since finishing a 7 ½ length 2nd of 16 to stablemate Run Wild Fred in Troytown Handicap Chase at Navan. The 8-year-old finished 5th in last year’s Aintree Grand National and comes into the race fresh. Shane Fitzgerald takes off a handy 5lb
Fakir D’alene has win twice over fences this season and posted a career best on RPR’s last time when a 4-length 4th of 20 in the Kim Muir Handicap Chase at Cheltenham. He improved for the step up to 3m 2f and could well stay 3m 5f.
Frontal Assault was very disappointing when pulling up in the same race. Prior to that had looked a progressive novice finishing runner-up here in a beginners chase over 2m 5 ½ f.
Ronald Pump put in a career best over fences when a ½-length 2nd of 12 in Leinster National Handicap Chase at Naas last time. A smart staying hurdler, he’s 3-7 starts 6 places at Fairyhouse and must be a contender.
Full Time Score is 2-2 at Fairyhouse and made it 2-4 over fences when winning a 3m chase here last time. The 8-year-old remains unexposed as a staying chaser and this has been the plan since his last run.
Mister Fogpatches finished third in last season’s Scottish Grand National before winning a 3m 7f handicap chase at the Punchestown Festival. The 8-year-old can usually be relied on to give his running in these types of race. No stamina issues with him and the better ground will suit. The first time cheekpieces are applied and if they have the desired effect he won’t be far away.
I have liked Velvet Elvis for this since his win a valuable Novices Handicap Chase (3m) at Naas last month. Trainer Thomas Gibney won the race in 2012 and his improving 6-year-old looks a staying handicap chaser at the right of the end of the handicap.
Verdict: My three against the field are Velvet Elvis, Farclas and Ronald Pump.
Rest of the Fairyhouse card
The opening race is the Farmhouse Foods Novice Handicap Hurdle (2:05) isn’t on ITV but it’s a competitive contest with a few progressive handicap hurdlers among the 19-runners. Last time out winners Better Times Ahead and Celestial Horizon arguably bring the best form into the race. The former is the pick of Mark Walsh and on yielding ground could be best of the pair. Vadaly is the pick of Paul Townend and with the Willie Mullins yard in such good form here yesterday he’s got to be respected. The juvenile has been pitched into Grade 1 company on his last two starts and looks on a workable mark for his handicap debut. Another juvenile Only Sky looks to have a nice light weight. The filly got off the mark at the third attempt over hurdles when beating eight rivals in a Cotk maiden last month. Open to more improvement and despite slight concerns over yielding, seemed to relish the good ground at Cork, she rates the pick.
The 2m 5 ½ f Fairyhouse Steel Handicap Hurdle (3:15) is another big field handicap. However, I’m sweet on the chances of the likely favourite Carrig Sam. A winner of a point, the 6-year-old has won both hurdling starts here, including his handicap debut, over 2m 4f. Up 8lb for his latest win today’s slightly longer trip can bring out even more improvement. Both successes have come on soft ground but there should be enough juice in the ground to enable him to run his race.
The beautybasket.ie Handicap Chase (5:40) isn’t at the level of the previous race but there are 15 runners and it’s a tricky old 3m handicap chase puzzle. Donkey Years has been knocking on the door on his last two starts over fences and looks a worthy favourite. The 8-year-old shaped well enough when a 2-length 3rd of 11 at Leopardstown last month. He was doing his best work at the finish that day over 2m 5 ½ f and looks worth another try over 3m. The Dabbler looks on a winnable mark. He was well fancied for the Irish Grand National Trial (13/2) last time but came down at the 4th fence. The better the ground the better his chance. Agent Boru is a useful handicap chaser on his day despite his 1-20 record over fences. A reproduction of his 6-length 2nd of 15 in the Ulster National brings him into the mix and he’s 2lb lower than when winning the Mayo National at Ballinrobe last May. Joshua Webb didn’t stay the 3m 5f when fifth in the Ulster National on his handicap chase debut. The drop back to an extended 3m looks a positive and the first-time blinkers replace the first time cheekpieces he wore last time. Nobody Home is on a losing run that goes back to October 2020 but he goes well around here and was only beaten ¾ length by Gevrey over 2m 5f here two starts back and Rachel Blackmore is an eyecatching jockey booking. Glenloe was a useful handicap hurdler a few seasons back and would be nicely treated on his best efforts in that sphere. He has, however, failed to meet high expectations over fences and remains a maiden after nine starts over the larger obstacles. The first time cheekpieces are applied today and if the headgear works, he’s in with a shout.
Kempton
Of the three races being covered by ITV the best from a betting perspective is the 1m 3f Racing TV Rosebery Handicap (3:30). Sir Michael Stoute saddles Hasty Sailor & Boss Power who both looks capable of doing well this season. My preference is for the latter who is 3-3 on the all-weather and won here over 1m 4f on his start on the synthetics. It’s the 5-year-olds first start since August but he did win first time up last year. Diamond Bay has race fitness on his side with the 4-year-old having won here last month (1m 4f) after a five-month layoff. Up 7lb for that success and in a deeper race but he’s progressive and big player. Stay Well won on his all-weather debut here (1m 4f) on his final start of 2021. It was a personal best from the 4-year-old that day who has been gelded over the winter. From a family who tend to do well with age he’s very much in the mix if ready to roll after a 173-day absence.
Betting Advice:
Fairyhouse
2:05 – 1pt win – Only Sky – 15/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
3:15 – 2pts win – Carrig Sam – 3/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
5:00 – 1pt each way – Velvet Elvis – 20/1 @ Bet365 (paying 7 places 1/5 odds) 1pt win – Ronald Pump – 20/1 @ Bet365 & Ladbrokes and 1pt win – Farclas – 10/1 @ Bet365 & Ladbrokes
5:40 – 0.5pts win – Agent Boru – 12/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes and 0.5pts win – Nobody Home – 18/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Kempton
3:30 – 1pt win – Stay Well – 6/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Cheers
John