UK Horse Racing Tips: Fairyhouse

It's hard to get away from GATEAU DE MIEL. While not one of the leading lights at Knockeen, the French bred has the form to win a race of this standard. Held in third, but still running a fine race, he came down at the last over the course and distance on his most recent start. That was in handicap company and back now in a beginners, he looks the one to beat. Cast Iron is an interesting contender for Joseph O'Brien. Out of action for nearly a year, he came in for plenty of market support on his return at Clonmel. While ultimately disappointing at the Co Tipperary venue, he may have needed the run and could make his presence felt now. Native Gold was successful at Limerick in March and is a leading contender for Eddie Cawley, while Salmanino, Politicise and Fierami are others than warrant respect.
Prediction : 1st Gateau De Miel 2nd Cast Iron 3rd Native Gold

CAMILLA'S CHOICE makes plenty of appeal on what will be her first start in handicap company over fences. She won a point-to-point on debut at Borris when in the care of German native Maike Magnussen and has been performing well over flights of late. She was third to Jungle Prose and Natural Look at Thurles on her most recent start, with the former since giving the form a boost by following up at Down Royal on Friday. The selection will race off her hurdles mark of 85, as will fellow point-to-point victor Merry Moves. Trained by Grainne O'Connor, the daughter of Sholokhov has been disappointing of late, but could make an impact in a race of this quality. At the age of 14, Capture The Drama recorded a heart-warming success at Clonmel last month and he definitely warrants respect, while others for the shortlist are top-weight Lessofdnegativity, Holiday In Kerry, who won at Limerick in March, and Different Strokes.
Prediction : 1st Camillas Choice 2nd Merry Moves 3rd Capture The Drama

MISTER WILSON is of each-way interest on hurdling debut. He has won three times on the Flat and really relishes testing conditions. He represents a very in-form Gavin Cromwell. Willie Mullins introduces French-import Zarak The Brave who has to be given plenty of respect. He won one of his five races on the Flat in his native land (by seven lengths). Bestaline was found to be blowing hard after finishing well behind on debut at Punchestown. There is likely to be much more to come from her, particularly as she won over two miles on soft ground on the Flat in France. Her stablemate, Calico, is another to consider. Charlie Luciano has finished runner-up in two of his three maiden hurdles. The form of his close second in Gowran Park got a boost when the winner followed up at Down Royal on Saturday. Deep ground would be the one concern for Charlie Luciano, though.
Prediction : 1st Mister Wilson 2nd Zarak The Brave 3rd Bestaline

THE BIG DOYEN can make an impression on his first crack at hurdling. He cut quite a dash in bumpers in scoring at Roscommon and then by a wide margin in Punchestown. That earned him a run in the Grade 2 bumper at the Dublin Racing Festival in Leopardstown, but he finished unplaced behind the ultra-impressive Facile Vega. That was a very hot race and the horse a spot behind him in last came out and won a maiden hurdle on his next start. Heavy ground is expected to suit The Big Doyen. The Short Go has finished runner-up in both maiden hurdles he has contested albeit beaten a fair way. That experience should stand to him. Miss Pronunciation showed marked improvement when keeping on well for third at Punchestown in February and could get involved. Caldwell Diamond will have his supporters.
Prediction : 1st The Big Doyen 2nd The Short Go 3rd Miss Pronunciation

ERIC BLOODAXE can start his season off with a victory. He picked up plenty of prize money for Joseph O'Brien last season in winning twice, including a Grade 2 novice hurdle at Limerick, and finishing runner-up in a Grade 2 and a Grade B novice handicap hurdle when last seen at Fairyhouse in April. He gets cheekpieces on his first start since switching to Gordon Elliott who won this race last year. Captain Conby wasn't beaten when falling two out in a Grade 1 at Aintree in April. He has won twice over flights and was third in a Grade 3 novice hurdle at Thurles. He has been successful off a break before and is a major player despite being 5lb wrong with Eric Bloodaxe at the weights. The deeper the ground the better for Bois De Clamart. He was in dominant form in Grade B company over fences at Gowran Park and over hurdles at Cork in March and April respectively. He is entitled to come on significantly from a well-beaten fifth on seasonal return at Sligo last month.
Prediction : 1st Eric Bloodaxe 2nd Captain Conby 3rd Bois De Clamart

Danny Mullins takes over on the consistent LONDONOFFICECALLIN and the five-year-old might get his turn. He's been runner-up in similar contests at Clonmel and Cork since returning from a summer break. Those good efforts came on decent ground but he ran well on soft earlier in the year. Ceanndana may have found three miles a bit far when fourth at Listowel but he was third in races over this trip either side of that. The form of his latest third at Punchestown has been boosted by the winner but soft ground is a concern for him. Banada Bridge showed improvement when fourth over this trip at Gowran. That was just her second start in handicaps and she's open to more progress.
Prediction : 1st Londonofficecallin 2nd Ceanndana 3rd Banada Bridge

EMANCIPATOR had some good placed efforts over hurdles in the early part of the year before bolting up on chase debut in a Clonmel handicap. He's now rated a stone higher over fences and, although twice a beaten favourite back over hurdles since, it could be worth giving him another chance to capitalise on a mark of 90 in this sphere. He stays further than this trip and will handle the ground. Flashthelights won over two miles at Naas in March and again ran well over that trip when sixth at Punchestown. The winner and sixth from that race have gone in since but he does have a longer trip and softer ground to contend with here. It looked like three miles was too far for Ishan when he faded to seventh at Galway. It wasn't a bad effort on testing ground and this trip may suit him better.
Prediction : 1st Emancipator 2nd Flashthelights 3rd Ishan

ROYAL RHYTHM bolted up by thirteen lengths on very testing ground at Galway last month and may be able to follow up that breakthrough success. Philip Rothwell's charge got a sensible waiting ride in a race where they went too hard in front so the margin of victory may have flattered him but his proven stamina will be an asset here and he makes most appeal despite a 9lb hike. Sweet Will is from a stable in sparkling form and won over hurdles and fences in the spring. He was runner-up over hurdles on yielding ground when last seen at Galway in September and will be a big player if handling these more demanding conditions. Dr Val's form has been nicely boosted and he has a chance if staying this longer trip. He was third to a subsequent Grade 3 winner at Wexford and his handicap debut fifth at Clonmel came in a race that is working out well.
Prediction : 1st Royal Rhythm 2nd Sweet Will 3rd Dr Val