UK Horse Racing Tips: Fairyhouse

BLOOD DESTINY can go in again. He brought strong placed form in France to Ireland and was impressive in winning a Cork maiden hurdle by five lengths last month. He had several subsequent winners behind him and looks a hurdler of considerable potential. Common Practice didn't run badly in fourth in a Grade 3 juvenile hurdle at Fairyhouse and testing conditions will suit. Jazzy Matty won his maiden hurdle over C&D and has plenty of upside. Nusret came home well behind in third in a Grade 2 juvenile hurdle at Leopardstown, and the two horses in front of him are clearly very useful. Deep ground may not aid his cause, though.
Prediction : 1st Blood Destiny 2nd Common Practice 3rd Jazzy Matty

SPLASHING OUT has shown improvement on each run and her runner-up effort at Cork in November has been well franked by the winner, who has since finished second in a couple of Grade 1 contests. She then ran a fair race when finishing second behind the favourite in Limerick over Christmas. Whatcouldhavebeen was gambled on at Cork earlier in the month and didn't fare badly at all in third. Aidan Kelly takes 7lb off her back again. Feddans has more than enough form in the book to get in the mix. A big run from newcomer Mystic Sage wouldn't be surprising as she is related to several multiple winners, including a horse who won at Listed level over hurdles. A Law Of Her Own is a useful mare, but her form is on better ground.
Prediction : 1st Splashing Out 2nd Whatcouldhavebeen 3rd Feddans

A competitive race, with four recent winners due to line up. EYE VAN had some very notable placed form before getting off the mark in Down Royal. He could be the sort to build upon that, particularly over a staying trip. He took second in a Clonmel Grade 3 novice hurdle on heavy ground over 3m last season. Corbetts Cross travelled strongly on attritional ground in Limerick to win a maiden hurdle over 2m5f. He ought to appreciate the step up in trip as a comfortable winner of a point-to-point. Rebellious Gale has posted some solid efforts this season without winning, and could exploit a lovely light weight. Young Dev was a ready winner over this trip in Limerick. That was the first time Daniel King was on board and he gets the leg-up again to claim a very handy 5lb. Cher Why Not won over a similar trip at this track and is another contender off a low weight.
Prediction : 1st Eye Van 2nd Corbetts Cross 3rd Rebellious Gale

EPSON DU HOUX can come on from his seasonal reappearance in a Grade 2 at Cork last month. He ran better than the market expected when second to the top-class Energumene without ever laying a glove on that rival. On his penultimate start in November 2021, he was a four-length winner of a handicap chase at the same track. Sil Ver Klass was pulled up in Leopardstown, but had been running very solidly before that. He could bounce back at a price, having beat several of these in a Grade B handicap chase at this track in December. A bad mistake four out did Cayd Boy no favours when fourth behind Sil Ver Klass in that aforementioned race. His runner-up berth at Wexford in October reads very well now, so he is a contender. The Willie Mullins pair of Mt Leinster and Fan De Blues are likely to have a say. Big Debates is on a roll, but this is a tough assignment.
Prediction : 1st Epson Du Houx 2nd Sil Ver Klass 3rd Cayd Boy

FLAME BEARER appeals over this trip. He made his chasing debut over further in Naas before Christmas and was beaten into third at odds-on. That was his seasonal reappearance and he got tired, so he is entitled to come on for the run. This is the sort of trip he was winning at over hurdles, and it worth noting that he is two from two at this track, including in a Grade 2 novice hurdle last season. Highland Charge is a real mudlark and these conditions should suit him well. He probably ran as well as could be expected when a distant third behind the market principals on chasing debut at this track last month. He won at Grade 3 level over flights and should have a future in this game. Slip Of The Tongue blotted his copybook by falling at Leopardstown, but his fourth in a hot beginners' chase on penultimate start in Navan wasn't a bad effort.
Prediction : 1st Flame Bearer 2nd Highland Charge 3rd Slip Of The Tongue

JACK IN THE BOX didn't have the clearest passage in Down Royal before finishing third. This former Naas maiden hurdle winner can progress on his second start over fences on ground he should plough through. Must Be Obeyed didn't go unbacked when taking some scalps over an extended 2m7f at Punchestown last month. Afterwards, trainer Tom Gibney said that a staying chaser is what he always hoped she would become, and she is a major threat. Innovated beat Jack In The Box by more than three lengths into third at Down Royal off level weights. He has to give that rival 9lb now, but is lightly raced and there could be more in his locker. Sea Ducor reached a mark of 134 over hurdles. He has faced stiff tasks in a couple of beginners' chases, but could certainly make an impact here. Jody Ted flopped in a rated novice chase at Limerick after a wide-margin success in a beginners' chase at Clonmel. His form was also in-and-out over hurdles and while he clearly has ability, he comes with risks.
Prediction : 1st Jack In The Box 2nd Must Be Obeyed 3rd Innovated

WESTPORT COVE has an interesting pedigree, being by a top-class miler on the Flat (whose progeny are capable on heavy ground) out of a mare who was Listed-placed over hurdles in France. He starts out for Willie Mullins and could be good enough to make a winning debut. Faulty has had the benefit of two runs in bumpers at Down Royal. He was placed in both and should be on the premises here. Jockey John Gleeson is good value for his 7lb claim. Ossifer Hops has joined Gordon Elliott for his track debut after coming home second in a point-to-point that is working out well. Volantis was pipped by a neck in a bumper at Sedgefield. That wasn't a strong contest, but he is going the right way after thirds in bumpers at Kilbeggan and Listowel on his first two starts.
Prediction : 1st Westport Cove 2nd Faulty 3rd Ossifer Hops