Hi all,
In today’s column, we delve into the forthcoming day of notable racing at Fairyhouse, marked by the presence of three Grade 1 contests. The day showcases the return of seasoned equine stars and value betting opportunities in the handicap races.
The absence of racing at Newcastle on Saturday meant no Constitution Hill in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle. One of Constitution Hill’s rivals in the Champion Hurdle ante post betting, Impaire Et Passe, is poised for his seasonal reappearance in the Bar One Racing Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at 2:35. The race features four contenders, including the defending champion Teahupoo and the progressively improving handicap hurdler, Buddy One.
Among the trio of Grade 1 races on the Fairyhouse card, the Bar One Racing Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at 1:25 sees An Tobar, aiming to build on the success of last month’s hurdle debut over course and distance. Additionally, the Grade 1 Bar One Racing Drinmore Novice Chase (2:00) features the clash of unbeaten novice chasers Letsbeclearaboutit and Found A Fifty against three rivals, promising a riveting contest.
I’m concentrating on the two handicaps from a betting perspective, but I’ve also taken a brief look the three Grade 1’s.
Fairyhouse
12:55 – Bar One Racing “Guaranteed Overnight Prices” Porterstown Handicap Chase (Listed Race) – 3m 5 ½ f
The first three home in the Cork Grand National Sir Bob, Call The Tune and Glenquin Castle clash again. Coming to the last it looked Call The Tune but a mistake at the last allowed Sir Bob to get up to win in the final stride. Given the runner-up was racing from 3lb out of the handicap there it was a good effort. He comes out the best of the weights of the three and I think he’ll be the best of those three here.
Minella Crooner returned from an 8 month absence to gain a second chase success when beating three rivals in a Listed chase at Wexford 16 days ago. The 7-year-old shapes like he will be suited to this marathon distance. Back going right handed is a positive and he’s got a big chance on handicap chase debut.
Minella Crooner’s stablemate Diol Ker is down to a good mark. The 9-year-old ran like the race was needed when a well beaten 5th in the Cork Grand National on his stable debut before falling at the first in the Troytown Handicap Chase two weeks ago. Has stamina to prove, should stay, but a reproduction of his short head 2nd of 28 in the valuable Paddy Power Handicap Chase at Leopardstown for his previous yard off today’s mark would see him go close. No easy task under top weight but Danny Gilligan takes off a handy 5lb.
History Of Fashion and The Dabbler are longshots with claims, if on a going day, and the trainer of the first named won the race in 2013.
Verdict: I’m taking a chance with Diol Ker and if you can get at least 4/1 on Call The Tune he’s worth a saver.
3:10 – Bar One Racing “Paying Extra Places Daily” Handicap Hurdle (Listed Race) – 2m
Magic Tricks was back to form when winning a Down Royal handicap hurdle 22 days ago. He benefitted from track position that day and will do well to confirm form with The Model Kingdom and Foxy Girl at the revised weights.
The Model Kingdom finished a 2 length runner-up with Foxy Girl a further 2 lengths back in third. Neither were as well positioned as the winner. A more strongly run race will suit the pair and they can surely win races in the sphere this winter.
Foxy Girl was conceding race fitness to the pair that finished in front of her at Down Royal and trainer Henry De Bromhead saddled the winner of this corresponding race in 2021.
Common Practice and Flamborough were 3rd and 4th in the valuable Lartigue Handicap Hurdle at the Listowel Festival. Common Practice didn’t stay 2m 4f when only 9th of 19 in a similar race at Naas three weeks ago. Better expected back to 2m with the tongue tie applied for the first time.
Flamborough has since gone onto finish third in the November Handicap back on the flat and posted a career best over hurdles when winning a Cork maiden 28 days ago. Going the right way, the 4-year-old is very much in the mix.
Verdict: I’m going with Common Practice and a saver on Foxy Girl if you can get 4/1 or bigger.
1:25 – Bar One Racing Royal Bond Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) – 2m
An Tobar created a big impression when winning over C&D on hurdle debut. He’s got the looks to make a chaser in time, but he also looks an exciting prospect for hurdling before he turns his attention to the larger obstacles.
Encanto Bruno bounced back from a poor run at Galway to make 2-3 over hurdles at Cheltenham last month. He looks well worth his place in grade company but may prefer better ground.
Farren Glory improved plenty on last season’s hurdle debut when bolting up in a Clonmel maiden on his seasonal reappearance last month. He drops back 3f in distance here but didn’t look short of pace at Clonmel and is capable of better.
2:00 – Bar One Racing Drinmore Novice Chase (Grade 1) – 2m 4f
Sharjah, despite being a 10-year-old, has taken well to chasing winning at Galway & Tipperary. His unbeaten record will come under pressure here, but he can’t be ruled out.
Letsbeclearaboutit, a useful staying novice hurdler last season finishing 4th in the Albert Bartlett at the Cheltenham Festival, made it 2 from 2 over fences when winning a Cork Grade 3 Novice Chase last month. Already a better chaser than a hurdler he’s got strong claims of landing the hat trick/
Found a Fifty looked a novice chaser worth following when winning a Down Royal beginners chase 23 days ago. Last Year’s winner Mighty Potter won that race last year before landing this contest. Step up in grade for just his second start over fences but is open to considerable improvement and is my idea of the winner.
2:35 – Bar One Racing Hatton’s Grace Hurdle (Grade 1) – 2m 4f
Impaire Et Passe the best novice hurdler seen last season winning all four starts including the Ballymoreat the Cheltenham Festival and the Grade 1 at the Punchestown Festival. Presently third favourite for the Champion Hurdle and connections will be hopeful that he can maintain his unbeaten record and further stake his claims for March.
Last year’s winner Teahupoo is a worthy rival to the favourite but will need further rain if he’s to hold onto his crown.
Buddy One is a staying handicap hurdler who is firmly on the up and bids for the hat trick after wins at Galway and Cheltenham (3m). On Racing Post’s Topspeed figures he doesn’t have much to find with the favourite. I don’t see him beating Impaire Et Passe but he will give that one a race and the 25/1 available with Bet365 & William Hlll for the Stayers Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival will tumble should he close here.
Betting Advice:
Fairyhouse
12:55 – Diol Ker – 1pt win – 16/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes and Call The Tune – 1pt win – 4/1 @ Bet365
3:10 – Common Practice – 1pt win – 9/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes and Foxy Girl – 1pt win – 4/1 or bigger.
Cheers
John