UK Horse Racing Tips: Fairyhouse

JON ESS showed promise in three maiden hurdles, including the most recent when eighth to Supreme Novices' Hurdle hero Klassical Dream at Leopardstown over Christmas. He has since won on the Flat at Cork and appears to be on a fair mark over timber. Pairc Na Ngael looks open to improvement on what he has achieved so far, while The Mouse Doctor enjoyed a good spell on the level last summer and might have more to offer in this sphere.
Prediction : 1st Jon Ess 2nd Pairc Na Ngael 3rd The Mouse Doctor

GARDENS OF BABYLON placed in a Leopardstown Grade 1 behind the ill-fated Sir Erec before finishing third in the Triumph Hurdle to Pentland Hills and the reopposing Coeur Sublime. Joseph O'Brien's gelding is taken to reverse that form, with this track likely to play to his strengths. Way Back Home has won his last two over C&D, including a Grade 3 in February, and is likely to pose a solid threat with further improvement to come.
Prediction : 1st Gardens of Babylon 2nd Coeur Sublime 3rd Way Back Home

EIGHT AND BOB was an easy winner on his latest start here over 2m4f in February and can handle a 15lb hike in the handicap as he bids to get the hat-trick up. Mormon finished second on his handicap debut in a Pertemps qualifier at Punchestown when last seen and a 3lb rise looks very fair, while Mount Hanover is capable of improving from his third at Wexford last month.
Prediction : 1st Eight And Bob 2nd Mormon 3rd Mount Hanover

Willie Mullins has saddled the last couple of winners of this contest and he appears to have another cracking chance with WICKLOW BRAVE. The 10-year-old has chased home subsequent Champion Hurdle winner Espoir D'Allen and finished a short-head second in the Coral Cup on his last couple of starts, and a repeat of either of those performances will make him difficult to beat. Off You Go found only Tiger Roll too good in the Boyne Hurdle and ought to figure prominently, and Pertemps Final third Not Many Left also has a squeak.
Prediction : 1st Wicklow Brave 2nd Off You Go 3rd Not Many Left

The Storyteller is the top-rated performer in this line-up and is fancied to bounce back from a disappointing effort in the Ryanair, but SNOW FALCON can complete the hat-trick on his first outing since early November. That freshness should stand him in good stead and the Kerry National winner looks to have plenty going for him. An on-song Ordinary World would also have every chance. He chased home Min at Leopardstown prior to finishing down the field in the Champion Chase.
Prediction : 1st Snow Falcon 2nd The Storyteller 3rd Ordinary World

As is becoming the norm in big handicap chases, Gordon Elliott is mob-handed as he seeks to follow up General Principle's victory of 12 months ago. The 2018 hero is back for more but isn't in great form and Jury Duty, who departed the Aintree National at the same fence as General Principle but was just creeping into contention, may be the primary Elliott hope. Remarkably, Willie Mullins has never won this race but came agonisingly close last term with Isleofhopendreams, although the champion trainer should have higher hopes for Pairofbrowneyes, who beat his stablemate in the Leinster National, and the novice Burrows Saint. ANY SECOND NOW could fend off the powerhouse yards, though, because he finally put it all together over fences to land the Kim Muir at Cheltenham and should improve again for this marathon test.
Prediction : 1st Any Second Now 2nd Jury Duty 3rd Burrows Saint

Walk To Freedom was progressive prior to a poor display in the Pertemps at Cheltenham, but he can be forgiven that run and is much better treated in this sphere. Goose Man is open to improvement, while Mac N Cheese would be of interest if supported in the betting on his debut for Gavin Cromwell. Another chance can be given to MON LINO, who came to grief when travelling powerfully in the Navan contest in which Young Paddymc and Se Mo Laoch took minor honours, and compensation awaits.
Prediction : 1st Mon Lino 2nd Walk To Freedom 3rd Goose Man

This could be between two potential Gordon Elliott stars of the future, with ANDY DUFRESNE tentatively fancied to account for stablemate The Very Man. The five-year-old created a lasting impression when hammering Golden Spread at Down Royal in January, going some way to justifying his lofty 330,000-pounds price tag. The Very Man also did it nicely at Navan and is certainly one to follow in the long term. Mt Leinster has disappointingly been defeated on the last three occasions but is the pick of the Willie Mullins pair.
Prediction : 1st Andy Dufresne 2nd The Very Man 3rd Mt Leinster