UK Horse Racing Tips: Fairyhouse

MINELLA CROONER looks the one to beat, fitted with cheekpieces for the first time. Pitched in at the deep end on his debut over fences, he went down by just a head in Grade 2 company. That effort should really stand to him here, with I Am Maximus and Highland Charge both returning to action for the first time since March. The former is one of two Willie Mullins-trained representatives in the line-up. Fourth in the Ballymore at the Cheltenham Festival when trained by Nicky Henderson, the Authorized gelding is an interesting recruit to the ranks at Closutton. Highland Charge won his last two and takes a significant step up in trip as he tackles fences for the first time. Largy Debut is given second preference. Like the selection, he was successful on his sole point-to-point start. A solid third on his seasonal debut at Down Royal last month, he can build on that performance.
Prediction : 1st Minella Crooner 2nd Largy Debut 3rd I Am Maximus

A wide-open contest, with HOKE COLBURN the suggestion. Successful on his most recent visit to Fairyhouse, the likeable 10-year-old will again be ridden by Maxine O'Sullivan, who claims a valuable 5lb. Friendly Star is given second preference. A dual winner in his native France, he was a fine second on his Irish debut at Galway in October. He was since third in a good quality contest and it'll come as no surprise if he manages to get his head in front now. Halsafari bids for quick compensation after he was mugged on the line at Punchestown on Tuesday. Out of the brilliant Solerina, he will be ridden by Co Kilkenny native Emily Cody. The young 7lb claimer has yet to taste success on the track but has had four winners on the point-to-point scene. Whiskey Lullaby is sure to have plenty of supporters with Jody Townend aboard for Willie Mullins, while Marshalled, Norwigi and the admirable veteran Capture The Drama are other leading hopes.
Prediction : 1st Hoke Colburn 2nd Friendly Star 3rd Halsafari

A case can be made for all 12 runners, with top-weight Fan De Blues a good starting point. The Willie Mullins-trained seven-year-old has won his last two and claimed a similar contest in convincing fashion at Cork on his most recent start. It'll come as no surprise if he manages to complete the hat-trick now. Mullins is also represented by another leading contender in the shape of Mt Leinster, who was successful over the course and distance on his penultimate start. Henry de Bromhead saddles Epson Du Houx, Dancing On My Own and Magic Daze, with Rachael Blackmore opting to partner the latter. A winner at the Punchestown Festival in April, she was disappointingly beaten into second on her return to action at Clonmel but was probably in need of that run. For a selection, CAYD BOY gets the nod. Placed on his three starts to date over the larger obstacles, he dips his toe into handicap company now and looks reasonably well treated on a mark of 135. Grange Walk, second in this Grade B contest 12 months ago, and Sil Ver Klass are others for the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Cayd Boy 2nd Fan De Blues 3rd Magic Daze

Just a few of these really count, with preference for hurdling debutant GOOD LAND. A good winner of a bumper at Wexford when returning from a lengthy absence, he had two subsequent victors in behind. Kansas City Star really put it up to the smart Ashroe Diamond at Naas last month, but he ultimately had to settle for second. He is likely to come on plenty for that experience and should go close. Viva Devito starts off over flights and is sure to have plenty of supporters. He was 10th of 20 in the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival in March and was a solid fourth in the Punchestown equivalent. After finishing a close third at Navan last month, Hartur D'arc is another leading contender.
Prediction : 1st Good Land 2nd Kansas City Star 3rd Viva Devito

All eyes will be on FACILE VEGA and it would be a major shock if he got turned over on his hurdling debut. The Walk In The Park gelding, a son of brilliant racemare Quevega, announced himself as an exceptional prospect last season in bumpers, culminating in an authoritative display at Cheltenham. He is sure to be well schooled for the task at hand today and will hopefully transfer that electric ability he showed last season to jumps. Gordon Elliott saddles two in this and An Mhi, another son of Walk In The Park, could be the one to give the favourite most to do. He was running a nice race when knocked down before the last on his racecourse debut at Cheltenham in October. That form was given a boost when the winner Fennor Cross went on to land a Grade 2 contest. Arctic Bresil cost 305,000 pounds after finishing runner-up to Present Soldier in a point-to-point at Tattersalls almost 13 months ago. Interestingly, he had An Mhi back in fourth that day.
Prediction : 1st Facile Vega 2nd An Mhi 3rd Arctic Bresil

THE FOUR SIXES looked a nice sort when winning on his hurdling debut at Clonmel and doesn't appear harshly treated in what is essentially his first handicap. The Westerner gelding shaped nicely on his sole bumper outing last season and took to jumping well on his return. Going another half-mile now may suit the four-year-old, who looks to have scope for plenty of improvement. Gordon Elliott also runs Landrake, who also won his maiden hurdle at Clonmel last time out. The Martaline gelding is open to improvement and could be a big player. Dovlator chased home Salvador Ziggy when last seen at Roscommon in July and that form has worked out well, with the winner scoring twice since. Dermot McLoughlin's charge could be each-way material.
Prediction : 1st The Four Sixes 2nd Landrake 3rd Dovlator

VICEREGENT has been running up against some decent types in maidens and may be able to pick up a race off his current mark in handicap company. Charles Byrnes' charge stayed on into second behind the exciting Marine Nationale on his penultimate outing before finishing third to another decent sort in Kiki Badger at Limerick 11 days later. Going up in trip now could bring a bit of improvement from the Nathaniel gelding. Explosive Boy ran a big race over in Cheltenham last month and he could be a danger here off a nice low weight. Boothen Boy was running a nice race before falling in Grade 3 company when last seen, but that was back in November 2021 so he may be best watched on his return.
Prediction : 1st Viceregent 2nd Explosive Boy 3rd Boothen Boy

The market is probably going to prove the best guide here. Willie Mullins has won this with some nice types in recent years, including The Nice Guy 12 months ago, and he saddles NICK ROCKETT. The Walk In The Park gelding won his sole outing between the flags at Curraghmore in October 2021. The third horse in that point-to-point, Ukantango, was runner-up in Grade 2 company over hurdles at Cheltenham last month. Gordon Elliott runs three in the race and Jamie Codd rides another Walk In The Park gelding, Shannon Royale. He was runner-up in his sole point-to-point in February and made 300,000 pounds after that run. Another expensive point-to-point recruit is Stellar Story, who now runs in the Gigginstown colours. The Shantou gelding won at Castlelands in March and went through the ring for 310,000 pounds afterwards.
Prediction : 1st Nick Rockett 2nd Shannon Royale 3rd Stellar Story