UK Horse Racing Tips: Fairyhouse

EL FABIOLO was high-class in novice hurdles last term. Narrowly beaten by Jonbon in an Aintree Grade 1 hurdle, he proved himself again in winning a smart conditions hurdle at the Punchestown festival and should do well over fences. He is suited by today's distance and seems ground-versatile. Colonel Mustard was beaten just 2.75 lengths by Jonbon last December and was Grade 1 and County Hurdle-placed last season. He was a fraction disappointing on chase debut at Navan but being race-fit, should give the selection a race. Highland Charge won a Grade 3 novice hurdle last March and should do well over fences while Percy Warner was well held on chase debut recently. Top Bandit was declared to run on Sunday and has plenty to find, if lining out today.
Prediction : 1st El Fabiolo 2nd Colonel Mustard 3rd Highland Charge

CLONBURY BRIDGE has been running well over middle-distances recently. He is 4lb higher than when finishing second at Naas last month and drops in distance but did win over hurdles at today's distance at the 2021 Galway festival and is suited by a sound surface. Big Debates has obvious claims having won from just 5lb lower at Cork last month and while well suited by this distance, drying ground might not suit. Gallyhill notably drops back down in distance, which is interesting given he has won over two-miles in the past, and while he has top weight, is in-form and is suited by good ground. Priory Park is rated 7lb lower over fences than hurdles but would prefer further and makes his handicap debut.
Prediction : 1st Clonbury Bridge 2nd Big Debates 3rd Gallyhill

MARVEL DE CERISY has good recent form and is suited by conditions. Ground-versatile, he was held by a smart winner when falling at Wexford but won well at Punchestown and is dependable. Ha D'or has slightly stronger form and receives 4lb from the selection, being twice Grade 2-placed but lacks a run and debuts over fences. On a line through a horse called Meet And Greet, which has beaten both horses, there isn't much between the pair. Hallowed Star has won by wide margins at Galway twice on recent runs and while a faller last time, will be suited by drying ground and this distance. Dunboyne won well at Gowran but would prefer easier ground while stablemate The Goffer has claims, having won at Thurles last month and being a Grade 3 hurdle winner last February. Macs Charm makes his chase debut but has point-to-point experience and was capable in handicap hurdles. Carrig Same was useful over hurdles but fell over fences last time.
Prediction : 1st Marvel De Cerisy 2nd Ha DOr 3rd Hallowed Star

JAZZY MATTY, a half-brother to Delta Work and two other smart performers, ran well on Irish debut last month. Fifth on debut in an Auteuil hurdle for unraced horses, he ran well at Navan and with improvement likely, should take beating. Jackpot de Choisel is notable, having won on debut at sunny Royan La Palmyre last August. That win was on good to firm ground so will appreciate today's drying ground, he was purchased for E200,000 afterwards and is by the same sire of Benie Des Dieux. Komedy Kicks, rated in the mid 60s on the Flat, ran well enough on hurdles debut but jumped slightly left while By Your Side has 9.5 lengths to find with his selection stablemate on Navan form. Eight Eight reached a rating of 82 on the Flat.
Prediction : 1st Jazzy Matty 2nd Jackpot De Choisel 3rd Komedy Kicks

A chance is taken with BELLA UNION, which has useful UK bumper form. He has been beaten long distances in maiden hurdles but ran well in a smart Carlisle bumper on debut and should comfortably better his 93 rating. Sirjack Thomas was once rated 100 on the Flat and while well held on recent flat runs, competes from a low rating on handicap hurdle debut. Ballybawn Belter, a four-year-old filly, showed good ability to win on bumper debut and while well held on her two recent maiden hurdles, drops in grade and competes from a manageable 104 rating. Mary's Pride also won on bumper debut but was well beaten on handicap debut at Thurles. Look Dont Touch is a 15-race maiden but has form in similar races and is suited by a sound surface. Bumper-placed Sixhandsinmypocket makes his handicap debut and ran well at Limerick while Peace Party is useful at this level.
Prediction : 1st Bella Union 2nd Sirjack Thomas 3rd Ballybawn Belter

MALTON GROOVE showed improvement when finishing fourth on reappearance recently and could be suited by stepping up in distance. Well held on debut in 2021, his recent run was a good effort, with the winner, second and fifth-placed horses winning subsequently. Neither selection or Klarc Kent might want the ground to become too dry, with Klarc Kent showing good form to win on soft at Clonmel in March. He has the size to do better over jumps and looks a stayer but nonetheless gives weight to the selection on his reappearance. Potters Party, runner-up in a point-to-point, ran well on hurdles debut at Clonmel and could be suited by stepping up in distance. Kilbree Warrior is again lowly weighted under her regular 5lb claimer. Joe's Turn is a dual point-to-point winner who ran well in a bumper at Tipperary.
Prediction : 1st Malton Groove 2nd Klarc Kent 3rd Potters Party

Third-reserve and well-handicapped Arctic Ambition would be a big player if getting a run but without his presence confirmed, CHAMP ROYAL might win stepping back up in distance. Ground-versatile, he has competed fairly well in similar races and might improve from a recent Gowran reappearance run, which was over an inadequate two-miles. The selection has twice beaten Alfieri but that rival has been in better form since, ran well in a big-field handicap at Punchetown recently and likes a sound surface. Bumper-placed Cocoplum makes her handicap debut in a tongue-tie while Dr Val was well held at Punchestown last time but had earlier run well when second over course and distance in early November.
Prediction : 1st Champ Royal 2nd Alfieri 3rd Cocoplum

MARIE PHILIPPE's trainer has a nice mares' bumper line through her recent Listed winner Jetara and the selection is well bred with Barry O'Neill being a notable booking. By Flemensfirth, the selection is the third foal from a French Grade 1 chase winner who has already produced an Auteuil Listed hurdle winner. Polly's Fortune was a close second on debut in October. Beaten by another debutante at Limerick, that form has yet to be properly tested but she finished well clear of the third-placed horse and is capable. Quinta, a E65,000 three-year-old purchase and by a top French stallion, is out of a mare who ticked off point-to-point, bumper, hurdle and chase wins. Adela Icon is out of a bumper-placed dam, Butchers Daughter is a half-sister to two capable winners while Walk In The Park-sired Down The Park and Oneforthefairgreen are both nicely related. Tilloughna ran well on debut and might improve from a recent reappearance run at Limerick.
Prediction : 1st Marie Philippe 2nd Pollys Fortune 3rd Quinta