UK Horse Racing Tips: Fairyhouse

Hesamanofhisword has enjoyed a winter break since occupying the runner-up berth at Clonmel twice in October but he may have play second fiddle to BEHIND THE CURTAIN. Philip Rothwell's six-year-old chased home the smart Russian Diamond at Down Royal prior to another honourable effort in a Thurles contest that is better than it looked at the time. Silk Worm outran odds of 20-1 to claim second at Limerick over Christmas, although she was beaten a long way and needs to step up again.
Prediction : 1st Behind The Curtain 2nd Hesamanofhisword 3rd Silk Worm

The 52,000gns Gordon Elliott shelled out for Battle Of Wills looked money well spent when he beat Van Meegeren on his jumping bow at Naas, but he now has to contend with a strong Willie Mullins battalion. Paul Townend gets the leg-up on GAMIN ORIGINAL, who showed enough promise in a couple of French bumpers for the champion trainer to buy him for a six-figure sum. Gjoumi, Hook Up and Burning Victory also come from France and the latter might be the Mullins second string. Bajan Excell and Anna Bunina aren't out of it either.
Prediction : 1st Gamin Original 2nd Burning Victory 3rd Battle Of Wills

HALSAFARI has been paying his way over the larger obstacles and had Beyond The Law back in fifth when going really close to landing a decent Naas contest. The Michael Bowe-trained gelding is 7lb lower than his revised chase rating and is fancied to take full advantage. Ificudiwud was last seen running away with a Roscommon maiden, but that came back in August so his fitness must be taken on trust. Moyode Gold suddenly found her form at this venue last month and might appreciate the drop back from 3m, while Hareth remains on an interesting mark.
Prediction : 1st Halsafari 2nd Moyode Gold 3rd Ificudiwud

Offshore Oscar has been sidelined since pulling up injured at Limerick's Christmas meeting in 2018 and money for him would be interesting, with the market also expected to hint at the confidence behind handicap debutant Walk Me Home. Fellow JP McManus-owned runner Birdie Blitz makes plenty of appeal on her Gowran third, and Cousin Harry is a player if over his Punchestown spill, but LAGENOD held his form really well towards the end of last year and appears the safest option.
Prediction : 1st Lagenod 2nd Birdie Blitz 3rd Cousin Harry

Willie Mullins has a superb record in this race, winning seven of the last nine runnings, and he fires four bullets at this year's renewal. The 2018 Grand National runner-up Pleasant Company showed little on his comeback run over hurdles and this is another stepping stone towards the Aintree feature event in April, while Voix Du Reve and Bellshill have more obvious claims but both haven't been at their best of late. Instead, preference is for Danny Mullins' mount ACAPELLA BOURGEOIS, who built on his Tramore second behind Gold Cup hero Al Boum Photo when a solid sixth in the Thyestes at Gowran last month. Alpha Des Obeaux, third in the Becher when last sighted, might be his main danger.
Prediction : 1st Acapella Bourgeois 2nd Alpha Des Obeaux 3rd Voix Du Reve

SIZING POTTSIE has some solid bumper/hurdles form under his belt and is fancied to land the spoils on his second start over fences. Although well beaten when unseating Paddy Kennedy at the last on his chasing debut at Leopardstown over Christmas, this represents a much easier task and his class ought to shine through. Others to note are Quantatmental, who wasn't disgraced behind the high-class Notebook on his fencing bow at Punchestown, and Dakota Moirette.
Prediction : 1st Sizing Pottsie 2nd Quantatmental 3rd Dakota Moirette

FERNY HOLLOW clearly has tons of ability but has been his own worst enemy in two bumper starts thus far, taking a fierce hold and having to settle for second spot on both outings. If the first-time hood helps him to settle better, he could prove too good for these rivals. Frontal Assault only found another smart Willie Mullins inmate too good on his Rules debut at Thurles and this son of Presenting can show up well again, while Bombay Blue also warrants plenty of respect.
Prediction : 1st Ferny Hollow 2nd Frontal Assault 3rd Bombay Blue

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