UK Horse Racing Tips: Fairyhouse

FIGAROC showed marked improvement to win at Clonmel early last month and there looks more to come from the Masterstroke gelding. The eight-year-old has obviously had his issues having only made his first start for Willie Mullins in January, when pulled up at Tramore. He had been runner-up on his sole outing over hurdles in his native France back in May 2019. With a couple of runs under his belt he was a different proposition at Clonmel last time and that form has worked out well since with several subsequent winners in behind. Scenic Look ran on well to grab second in a hot little mares contest at Limerick last time and could be a contender now back in handicap company. Black Hawk Eagle made a winning return on the level at Navan 12 days ago and he looks like another for the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Figaroc 2nd Scenic Look 3rd Black Hawk Eagle

BLOOD DESTINY disappointed in the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham but looks worth another chance here down in grade. The No Risk At All gelding got caught up in a strong gallop up front then and weakened tamely at the business end. It's noteworthy to see him tried in a hood and tongue-tie now. He had been very impressive in two wins previously and on that form he'd be hard to beat. Mullins also runs Gust Of Wind, who is entitled to be a big player here. The Great Pretender gelding emerged with plenty of credit when fourth to stablemate Lossiemouth in the Triumph last month and is the form horse on that performance. Cougar is another who ran below par last time, at Leopardstown over Christmas, but has been given plenty of time since then and should be capable of a lot better. He is also fitted with a hood now having run keenly last time.
Prediction : 1st Blood Destiny 2nd Tekao 3rd Cougar

CADATHARLA ran really well in defeat last time and can strike again now. He went down by half a length to L'yser over slightly shorter here in late February and the front two pulled well clear of the field that day in a competitive contest. Despite a 5lb rise for that effort the progressive Flemensfirth gelding could still be nicely treated. Heia hasn't been seen since finishing a fine fifth in the Galway Hurdle last summer but she commands plenty of respect on her return with fitness unlikely to be an issue. Ottoman Style comes here on a hat-trick and has to be on the shortlist. The Kayf Tara gelding won a competitive contest at Down Royal last time when the front pair pulled nicely clear.
Prediction : 1st Cadatharla 2nd Heia 3rd Ottoman Style

FIL DOR has to give weight to all his rivals but is fancied to come out on top. The Doctor Dino gelding failed to fire in the Coral Cup over in Cheltenham but had been a Grade 3 winner prior to that at Gowran in the Red Mills Hurdle. If he can recapture that form he's the one to beat. Asterion Forlonge made a belated return at Thurles last month but had to settle for the runner-up spot behind Summerville Boy having gone off a short enough price. He didn't run up to his mark of 150 then and although he's entitled to improve a bit he needs to step forward now. It's good to see his stablemate Monkfish back in action and it's encouraging that Paul Townend chooses to ride him. He has been on the sidelines for a long time though and a watching brief may be the most sensible approach with him.
Prediction : 1st Fil Dor 2nd Asterion Forlonge 3rd Monkfish

Willie Mullins has a strong hand here with half of the six-runner field and Paul Townend sides with EASY GAME. The nine-year-old bids for a hat-trick in this race and has been kept fresh for this again having last been seen in October. He was in fine form back in the autumn and looks the one to beat again on his return. French Dynamite ran a fine race to finish fourth in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham last month and he looks a danger getting a few pounds from the selection. Janidil didn't have a great passage around in the Ryanair, eventually finishing seventh. He had been good when winning the Red Mills Chase prior to that and is a big player in this grade again.
Prediction : 1st Easy Game 2nd French Dynamite 3rd Janidil

STUMPTOWN is a stout stayer who races off a lovely light weight in this valuable showpiece. He wasn't stopping at the end of 3m2f in the Kim Muir at the Cheltenham Festival when held in second by a neck. Prior to that, he was a decisive winner of staying chases in Thurles and Sandown. Thedevilscoachman brings a touch of class to proceedings. He has landed three of his six chases including at Grade 3 level in his last couple of starts in Naas and Limerick. He is up in trip by about half a mile, but would be particularly dangerous if getting into a good rhythm with his jumping. Chemical Energy was caught over an extended 3m5f in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham. There was still a lot of credit in his runner-up finish and he is a solid contender. Angels Dawn would welcome plenty of rain. She was the horse that beat Stumptown by a neck at Cheltenham and there's an awful lot to like about her recent exploits. She is well up for a battle at the business end. Defi Bleu and Champagne Platinum could go better than their odds suggest. Amirite is inexperienced, but has talent.
Prediction : 1st Stumptown 2nd Thedevilscoachman 3rd Chemical Energy

GATEAU DE MIEL won a beginners' chase by 12 lengths over a similar trip at this track in November. He disappointed on his next outing at Leopardstown, but that was also the case when he ran in a bumper there on his track debut. He is worth another chance back at this venue. The Dabbler was scratched from the Randox Ulster National at Downpatrick this month due to transport difficulties. He is capable of getting involved as he has a fourth place in a good handicap chase at Galway in his locker. Pont Aval hasn't been getting the job done over shorter trips since returning this year off a lengthy absence, so you can see why a step up in distance is tried. Happy Dreams and Sir Bob are others eyeing a cheque.
Prediction : 1st Gateau De Miel 2nd The Dabbler 3rd Pont Aval

FIREFOX was impressive in scooting home by 10 lengths in a Navan bumper. He had previously shown ability when fourth in a maiden hurdle and second in a bumper, and is clearly going the right way. Fascile Mode created quite an impression in winning a bumper on debut at Leopardstown. There are questions to answer after his next two starts, however, they came in Grade 2 and Grade 1 contests. He is likely to have a say here. Willie Mullins' Ile Atlantique travelled supremely well off the front in Naas, but didn't find as much as expected when asked for more and was beaten into second. That was just his second start after winning a Leopardstown bumper and he is learning the game. His stablemate, Ballyburn, is a threat. He won his point-to-point and graduated to the track with aplomb in winning a Punchestown bumper in February.
Prediction : 1st Firefox 2nd Fascile Mode 3rd Ile Atlantique