Dan Overall's Fairyhouse Tips for the Easter Festival

READ TO RETURN is back over fences for the first time since drawing the ire of the stewards at Cheltenham, which lead to Billy Coonan receiving a twenty-day ban.

He’s run been running well over hurdles in the interim, with the exception of last time out where he returned clinically abnormal post-race.

Freshened up since that run, he looks a far better horse over fences and Tony Martin won this race last year with Gain De Cause, who was very strong in the betting. Maxine O’Sullivan, an accomplished amateur, takes the ride, and with this being Read To Return’s second handicap chase, I’d be hopeful we haven’t seen the best of him just yet.

Philip Fenton has only had 27 runners at the past 20 Fairyhouse Easter Festivals; of those 27, 6 won and a further 9 placed, which is a remarkably good record given the competitive nature of the races. With that in mind, SHRAHEEN has to be of interest despite not showing all that much in his career thus far.

His three runs over hurdles have all come at Naas and there were within a 30-day time frame, which would indicate to me that they were attempting to get him handicapped. While he’s been well beaten on each occasion, he’s shaped reasonably well and is bred to be useful; his dam is a sister to Glens Melody, and he’s a half-brother to the likes of Minella Melody and Glens Of Antrim.

It would be no surprise if he took a big step forward on his handicap debut, and his trainer won this race in 2021.

A race often won by a horse with an abundance of stamina, with most going on to thrive over trips of three-miles and further. 

One who looks certain to enjoy a test of stamina on heavy ground is CAPTAIN CODY (best price 25/1), who hasn’t been seen to best effect in slowly run races on his previous two starts, and definitely did not appreciate stepping back in trip last time out.

His bumper form reads well, having finished a close second to Slade Steel on debut, beating Blizzard of Oz cosily at Limerick before finishing an admirable at sixth in the Champion Bumper. Jody Townend seems to get a great tune out of him, conditions are in his favour, and while he has been a tad underwhelming on recent starts considering the strength of his bumper form, this could be where he bounces back.

It certainly wouldn’t be the first time this race has produced a shock, with only one winning favourite in the past ten renewals, with five winners going off a double-figure price.

SPILLANE'S TOWER (best price 15/8) and Blood Destiny renew their rivalry, with the score at 1-1. 

Preference is for the former, who looks far more likely to appreciate stepping back up to two-and-a-half miles than Blood Destiny, who looks a pure two-miler to my eye. The last time they faced each other over an intermediate trip, Spillane’s Tower was a ready winner giving Blood Destiny four-pounds, and they’re off level weights here.

Perhaps Willie Mullins phenomenal record in the race (won the last five renewals) is skewing the market towards Blood Destiny, and while Willie has to be respected, I think Spillane’s Tower should be clear favourite.