UK Horse Racing Tips: Fairyhouse

THEATRE NATIVE proved bitterly disappointing (blowing hard post-race) on her hurdling debut at Clonmel in November, but is given another chance to prove that running was all wrong. The well-bred daughter of Getaway was set to easily win her only point-to-point start for Donnchadh Doyle when falling at the last, and was far from disgraced when fourth in a Listed bumper here last Easter. Galway bumper winner Mi Lucky Cailin beat all bar the useful Only By Night in a 17-runner Naas maiden last time, while others to consider include Ballycallan King and On Lovers Walk. Cottesloe Sunshine is a newcomer to note in the market, while Arch Hall and Theflyingbee have also shown ability.
Prediction : 1st Theatre Native 2nd Mi Lucky Cailin 3rd Ballycallan King

TOLL STONE and Roboreti were only separated by a short head when fighting out the finish of a maiden over C&D earlier this month. There shouldn't be much between the pair again but slight preference is given to the Emmet Mullins-trained gelding, who has progressed with each outing over hurdles. In The Trenches has finished behind the selection on a couple of occasions and put in a creditable effort in his first handicap hurdle when runner-up to Mount Frisco at Limerick last month. San Guido appears one of his yard's lesser lights and is now tried in blinkers, while Roboreti's stablemate Hey Whatever has been placed both on the Flat and over hurdles and can't be discounted at the weights.
Prediction : 1st Toll Stone 2nd Roboreti 3rd In The Trenches

KILBREE WARRIOR returned to form over this trip at Navan last month, adopting his normal front-running tactics and was only pegged back on the run-in by Harvard Guy, with Talk In The Park well behind in fourth. The point-to-point winner has gained both handicap hurdle wins at this venue and remains on a competitive mark. Your Honour made all to score at the Limerick Christmas meeting. Glen Kiln also won from the front in a 2m3f Naas maiden last time, and the long-time absent Dunvegan is another pace angle but none of the trio are likely to press the selection up front. Slanagaibhgoleir overcame a bad mistake at the last when opening his account in a 2m7f maiden at Punchestown last month and, with proven stamina, should be favoured by a strong pace, although his jumping needs to improve.
Prediction : 1st Kilbree Warrior 2nd Slanagaibhgoleir 3rd Glen Kiln

JOUSTER could pick up compensation after falling on his latest start over a similar trip at this track. He made stealthy progress and travelled well to close in fourth at the penultimate flight where he departed. Arthor didn't appear to stay over further in Punchestown, but his never-nearer fifth on his penultimate start in Limerick gives him prospects. Yabo was too keen in Punchestown, but is an interesting front-runner with a hood fitted. She is the highest-rated horse in the field and Conor Stone-Walsh takes 5lb off her back. Danny The Fence has disappointed recently but his sole victory came at this track, while Quornofamonday was in decent form before a below-par run at Punchestown. Chosen Shant's fourth in a big field at Naas wasn't a bad effort, although she does seem to prefer better ground.
Prediction : 1st Jouster 2nd Arthor 3rd Yabo

I AM MAXIMUS has been successful on his last two visits to Fairyhouse, including in the Irish Grand National last April, and is taken to come out on top in this fascinating contest. The form of his Grade 1 Drinmore success at this track in December has been very well franked by the runner-up. I Am Maximus has faced tough tasks behind the ante-post favourite for the Gold Cup in his last couple of starts at Leopardstown, but his undoubted stamina can come into play here. All roads lead back to Aintree for Vanillier, who was a very creditable runner-up in last year's Grand National. He is rated 7lb inferior to I Am Maximus, yet receives 12lb from him under the terms of this race so is entitled to be on the premises. Minella Crooner actually pipped I Am Maximus by a short head in a beginners chase here in December 2022. He wasn't beaten far into third in a Grade 3 at Tramore in January and is not to be underestimated, despite being disadvantaged at the weights.
Prediction : 1st I Am Maximus 2nd Vanillier 3rd Minella Crooner

This could set up well for GOOD TIME JONNY. He likes to be ridden patiently and is a talented stayer who could be produced to deliver in the latter stages of this small-field race. Intense Raffles won three times in his native France and put in a sparkling Irish debut when making all in a rated novice chase over a shorter trip at this track last month. That form received a massive boost when the runner-up came out and won a staying assignment by 16 lengths. This is a new trip for Intense Raffles, but he will likely get to dictate his own pace. Brampton Belle gets first-time cheekpieces, which could eke out a bit more from her. Her best performance over fences came on her penultimate start when third in Galway.
Prediction : 1st Good Time Jonny 2nd Intense Raffles 3rd Brampton Belle

JERSEY DES BROSSES ran a lovely race in his sole point-to-point when a clear second, beaten by a length. The horse that beat him has since won twice over hurdles in Britain and features in the betting for a couple of Grade 1 contests at the Cheltenham Festival. Jersey Des Brosses made 370,000gns at the sales after that point-to-point run, which underlines the potential he has. His trainer Gordon Elliott has landed four of the last seven renewals of this race. Sporting Glory has come home second in both his bumpers. He was beaten a fair way at Down Royal, but got much closer over C&D last month so he is going the right way. Sky Lord is a nicely-bred sort who was only 11/2 for a bumper at Leopardstown over Christmas, but finished unplaced on debut. He has moved to Henry de Bromhead and should come on plenty from that run.
Prediction : 1st Jersey Des Brosses 2nd Sporting Glory 3rd Sky Lord