UK Horse Racing Tips: Fairyhouse

DUTCH SCHULTZ was beaten 100 lengths by Marine Nationale in a Christmas outing but his earlier form is encouraging. Rated 87 on the Flat until last summer, he won a Wexford maiden hurdle in July, ran well at Kelso on his last hurdles outing last October, and having fallen on chase debut, completed the course at Leopardstown and should put that experience to good use. De Lady In Red showed some of her old sparkle at Down Royal over Christmas (Soldaro behind) but was nonetheless a little below her peak hurdles form from 2021/22. She would have strong claims, receiving a mares' allowance, if returning to her best. Marelly makes his chase debut for a new trainer but has point-to-point experience, is capable, and is suited by conditions. Petit King is in form but would ideally prefer a longer distance. Je T'ai Porte is possibly best watched on chase debut as she would prefer a sounder surface.
Prediction : 1st Dutch Schultz 2nd De Lady In Red 3rd Marelly

The lightly-raced EVIES VLADIMIR has run well in two recent handicap chases. He returned from 517 days off last November when beating a subsequent winner at Clonmel and confirmed that ability at Down Royal (Shes Some Doll finished fourth). It isn't ideal that he now runs in first-time cheekpieces, but he can continue to progress. Bushmans Pass stayed well to win in testing ground over Christmas. A bumper winner in 2022, he too is reasonably unexposed in handicap chases but is nonetheless 10lb higher than at Limerick. Baldur's Gate finished third in that race and ran well at Cork subsequently. He steps back up slightly in distance, which should help, likes testing ground and should compete. Soloman Lane is able at this level and ran well at Leopardstown over Christmas, while Karuma Grey ran well at Limerick during that period and races from a chase rating 5lb below his hurdles mark. Weihnachts runs in first-time blinkers.
Prediction : 1st Evies Vladimir 2nd Bushmans Pass 3rd Baldurs Gate

BINGE WORTHY is out of a half-sister to Minella Indo and won his point-to-point for Denis Murphy before selling to current connections for 160,000 pounds. Well held in a hot December bumper on racecourse debut, he won well over Christmas and while that form is nothing exciting, he should progress, seems dependable and today's rider claims 5lb. Willie Mullins' pair Dancing City and Spread Boss Ted have had interrupted careers, although both won well recently. Dancing City, who missed 364 days in 2022/23, won well last month, while his stablemate returned following 469 days off last November, improving to comfortably beat the 125-rated Teuchters Glory on that same Navan card. Paul Townend is suspended today and both horses seem closely enough matched. The Busy Fool's lack of experience proved costly on hurdles debut at Down Royal, although he defeated Nas Na Riogh, who chased home Dancing City in the Navan race and should improve jumping-wise. Glorytogod Tom disappointed over C&D recently.
Prediction : 1st Binge Worthy 2nd Dancing City 3rd Spread Boss Ted

Headstrong MIRAZUR WEST threw away his chance when jumping and hanging right on his hurdles debut over Christmas but changes direction, which will greatly help. Green when falling at the final fence on his point-to-point debut, he won his bumper impressively before showing buckets of ability when being beaten by the Grade 1-placed winner at Leopardstown. Today's race is a lesser contest and he is likely to make all and win easily. Undeniable Alibi won well on point-to-point debut but failed, as even-money favourite, here subsequently. He holds today's rival - and point-to-point winner - Al Gasparo, although needs to improve to beat the selection. Jasmin De Cotte has place claims.
Prediction : 1st Mirazur West 2nd Undeniable Alibi 3rd Al Gasparo

JOLIE COEUR ALLEN was beaten at a short price last time, but should make amends now. The French import looked home and hosed at Tramore before faltering late on and it was a similar story at Limerick last time, when she appeared to be travelling best early in the straight. She doesn't help herself by running freely, but has shown enough to give her the winning of a race of this standard. Stablemate Spindleberry is probably the danger. The Policy Maker mare was third in a point-to-point bumper at Tipperary back in May and that form was boosted the other day with the winner Annalecka making a successful start over timber at Punchestown. Hurricane Bailey ran a big race when third on her debut at Limerick and is another leading contender.
Prediction : 1st Jolie Coeur Allen 2nd Spindleberry 3rd Hurricane Bailey

Willie Mullins runs three in this and O'MOORE PARK gets the vote. The Walk In The Park gelding was returning from a lengthy enough absence when third on his hurdling debut at Fairyhouse last month. Having travelled well into the straight, he appeared to get a bit tired and should improve for the outing. Lucky Lyreen was a solid enough third at Navan and a similar run makes him a danger. It was a decent race in which Maxi Mac Gold was third to Tactical Affair at Cork in late November and he could be another big player.
Prediction : 1st OMoore Park 2nd Lucky Lyreen 3rd Maxi Mac Gold

BENJIS BENEFIT catches the eye here on his first start for Emmet Mullins and shrewd owner Paul Byrne. The Westerner gelding was only a length down and running a big race when falling at the last in a point-to-point at Lisronagh in November. He had shown ability in a few runs over timber previously and could potentially be on a nice mark. Gold Haven was a solid third when sent off joint-favourite at Down Royal last time and has to be given the utmost respect. The Big Cloud is another who has been knocking on the door recently and also has to be on the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Benjis Benefit 2nd Gold Haven 3rd The Big Cloud