UK Horse Racing Tips: Fairyhouse

OPTIONAL MIX was probably value for a bit more than her winning margin at Wexford last time and can strike again off a 5lb higher mark. The Carlotamix mare made most of the running then and after a slight mistake at the last, always looked to be holding the runner-up. She is ground versatile and still looks open to a bit of improvement over fences. Alice Avril wasn't beaten that far on her return at Down Royal and may improve from the outing. She looks on a competitive rating and could be a danger. Malina Girl ran really well when third over in Cheltenham last month and is another for the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Optional Mix 2nd Alice Avril 3rd Malina Girl

Paul Townend takes the mount on Zarak The Brave from the four Mullins runners but it may pay to take a chance here on the highly-touted LOSSIEMOUTH on her Irish debut. She is already topping the ante-post markets for the Triumph Hurdle having arrived from France with a big reputation. The Great Pretender filly was highly impressive on her sole outing in her native land when scoring over hurdles at Auteuil in March. Zarak The Brave impressed when winning on his Irish debut here last month, quickening up in style to record a 10-length victory. He looks very smart and obviously gave Townend a good feel then. Joseph O'Brien saddles two in the race and Comfort Zone may prove the best of the duo. He impressed when scoring by six lengths on his hurdling debut at Navan a week ago.
Prediction : 1st Lossiemouth 2nd Zarak The Brave 3rd Comfort Zone

THE DABBLER was second in this last year and may be able to go one better now. He warmed up with a nice run over hurdles at Navan last month and that should have left him spot-on for this test of stamina. He is proven over this marathon distance and still appears to be on a competitive mark. Lord Lariat also obviously gets the trip having won the Irish National in the spring and he could be a big player. The seven-year-old didn't run too badly in a hot Grade 3 contest at Punchestown on his return this season and should be more competitive in this company. Punitive exited early enough in the Troytown last weekend, but stayed on well over a trip at Cheltenham previously and could be a big player now.
Prediction : 1st The Dabbler 2nd Lord Lariat 3rd Punitive

A cracking race and CHAMP KIELY gets the vote to maintain his perfect record since going under Rules. The Ocovango gelding was very impressive first time over timber at Galway in the summer and looked an exciting prospect when stepping up to land a Grade 3 contest at Tipperary in early October. He beat Cheltenham Festival winner Brazil with ease that day and the runner-up has franked the form since with victory in another Grade 3 event. The unbeaten Marine Nationale faces an acid test here. He won easily despite running freely on his hurdling debut at Punchestown in mid-October and will need to settle better in this higher grade. He obviously has plenty of ability, though. Irish Point is another who dives in at the deep end after a cosy victory on his hurdling bow at Cork a fortnight ago. That looked a weak enough race, but he was a Grade 1 bumper winner in France so obviously has a big engine.
Prediction : 1st Champ Kiely 2nd Marine Nationale 3rd Irish Point

A very strong renewal of this Grade 1 contest. Willie Mullins saddles five of the 11 declared, with Paul Townend opting to partner Gaillard Du Mesnil, the only horse in the line-up without a win over fences to his name. Third on his five starts to date over the larger obstacles, another bold showing can be expected from the French bred six-year-old. Adamantly Chosen and Authorized Art are other leading contenders from Closutton. Gordon Elliott saddles Three Stripe Life and MIGHTY POTTER, with preference for the latter. Both were successful on debut over fences, with the selection a dual winner at the highest level over flights. He beat his stable companion when they clashed at Leopardstown in December of last year and he has always been considered as a chaser in the making. Banbridge has been impressive in two starts this season but will need to produce a career best performance if he is to win this. Thedevilscoachman and Enniskerry are others that can't be dismissed.
Prediction : 1st Mighty Potter 2nd Gaillard Du Mesnil 3rd Banbridge

Apple's Jade attempted to win this race for a fourth year in-a-row back in 2019, but her reign was ended by HONEYSUCKLE, who has of course gone on to dominate herself. A perfect 17 from 17, with 12 of her wins coming at the highest level, it's very difficult to oppose the pride of Knockeen as she bids to become the first four-time winner of this race. Klassical Dream has triumphed six-times at Grade 1 level and tries this trip for the first time. Sent off favourite for the Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham in March, he finished fifth there before winning the Punchestown equivalent. He rounded off his campaign by filling the runner-up spot at Auteuil in May and on a mark of 163, he is rated just two pounds inferior to the selection. Willie Mullins trains Klassical Dream and he is also represented by Saldier and Echoes In Rain. Both have been beaten by Honeysuckle in the past and it's difficult to see them reversing the form. Darver Star got within half-a-length of the wonder mare at Leopardstown in February of 2020 and the likeable ten-year-old has been in excellent form in recent months, winning his last three.
Prediction : 1st Honeysuckle 2nd Klassical Dream 3rd Darver Star

A fiercely competitive affair. The first five home in the Charles Hurst DS Handicap Hurdle at Down Royal last month reoppose here, with Nibiru just coming out on top at the northern venue, beating Watch The Weather and Pinkerton by a short head and a head. A mistake at the last may have ultimately cost Pinkerton and it'll come as no surprise if he manages to reverse the form now. A Grade 3 winner over the course and distance in February, Icare Allen is another leading candidate. He since finished fourth in the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and looks capable of making his presence felt here on what will be his handicap debut. For a selection, it might be worth siding with LUCKY MAX. Successful three times last winter, he was narrowly beaten in the Brown Lad at Naas last month. He drops back in trip now to two miles and with Michael O'Sullivan claiming a valuable 5lb, he should give a good account of himself. In From The Cold is an interesting contender on his debut for Gordon Elliott, while others for the shortlist are Merlin Giant, Sit Down Lucy, An Epic Song and Explosive Boy.
Prediction : 1st Lucky Max 2nd Pinkerton 3rd Icare Allen

BETTER DAYS AHEAD might be able to make amends for a surprise defeat at Down Royal last month. Successful on his sole point-to-point start for Warren Ewing, the Milan bay subsequently changed hands for a massive 350,000 pounds. Sent off at 1-3 on his debut for Gordon Elliott in a three-runner affair at Down Royal, he had to settle for second behind Carnfunnock, going down by a length-and-a-quarter. It was by no means a bad effort from the selection, with Carnfunnock, who since followed-up at Ayr, a smart prospect in his own right. Chapeau De Soleil won a point-to-point on debut for Colin Bowe at Stowlin in May. Since sold privately, he starts off now for Willie Mullins and owners Rich and Susanna Ricci. Of the newcomers, Run For Harry makes the most appeal on breeding. He is out of four-time victor Alverstone, who has already produced dual-winner Dynamic Kate.
Prediction : 1st Better Days Ahead 2nd Chapeau De Soleil 3rd Run For Harry