UK Horse Racing Tips: Fairyhouse

BLACKSMITHS FORGE has run well in a couple of maiden hurdles since winning her bumper at Downpatrick back in July and can get off the mark over jumps now. The Kalanisi filly was beaten just over two-and-a-half lengths when fourth to Mexican Moonshine at Roscommon 12 days ago and doesn't have to improve much on that to take this. The selection can again hold Lady Nightingale, who was sixth in that Roscommon race, having been runner-up on her previous outing at Kilbeggan. Whitewinewednesday ran well when third at Tramore last time, although that probably wasn't as strong a race.
Prediction : 1st Blacksmiths Forge 2nd Lady Nightingale 3rd Whitewinewednesday

BLEU DE VASSY stands out here and should prove hard to beat. The Cokoriko gelding opened his account in fine style when taking a Clonmel bumper in April having been runner-up a couple of times previously. He has jumping experience, having been placed in a point-to-point, and should make a nice staying novice hurdler this season. Blaze The Way was pitched in at the deep end on his hurdling debut, when pulling up in Grade 2 company at Fairyhouse in March. The Getaway gelding had won a bumper at Thurles previously and looks the obvious danger. Fast Felix has a couple of solid enough placed efforts over timber and should pick up prize money again.
Prediction : 1st Bleu De Vassy 2nd Blaze The Way 3rd Fast Felix

SHESABREEZE has run a couple of solid races on her most recent starts and looks capable of taking a race of this standard for in-form trainer Eric McNamara. She was dropped a pound after finishing fourth at Sligo on her last outing, in August. She hasn't quite seen out her races on her last two starts and a hood and a drop in trip may do the trick now. U Asking Me improved on previous form when winning in good style at Clonmel nine days ago and has to be respected despite a 8lb hike. Bella Be Good turns out again quickly after a good run to finish third at Galway on Tuesday. She's another for the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Shesabreeze 2nd U Asking Me 3rd Bella Be Good

STAR HARBOUR is a better horse on the Flat but should be capable of winning a race over hurdles off this kind of mark. The six-year-old has been in fine form on the level this summer, winning three times, and has a mark of 103. His rating of 109 over jumps is lowly in comparison. Son Of Hypnos was a bit too free over fences at Downpatrick last time and is respected returning to hurdles now, having been an easy winner when last seen over timber at Galway. Slieve Bearnagh returns to jumping after a couple of solid runs on the Flat and is another for the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Star Harbour 2nd Son Of Hypnos 3rd Slieve Bearnagh

RAGMANS CORNER has been favourite for his last three starts and made the breakthrough when getting up late to score on good ground at Galway on Tuesday. The Kalanisi gelding, raised 6lb in future handicaps, is just 1lb wrong under his mandatory penalty and can follow up with underfoot conditions likely to be similar. Flashthelights also appreciates good ground and made it two wins from his last four starts at Wexford in August. He is likely to be competitive again off a 5lb higher mark. Dream Escape was well supported when showing improvement at Gowran Park last time, while Cleopatra's Needle, in good form on the Flat earlier this year, could be on a nice mark on her handicap debut.
Prediction : 1st Ragmans Corner 2nd Flashthelights 3rd Cleopatras Needle

PAY THE TAB has only raced on soft ground thus far and disappointed in two of his three starts last season including at Down Royal over Christmas. His previous run at the same venue saw him finish a creditable third in a bumper and the runner-up went on to show useful form over hurdles for the Elliott stable. The homebred son of Getaway may be good enough to land an ordinary contest if handling this sounder surface. Coole Cottage ran well in a point-to-point in May and his latest run over hurdles at Listowel wasn't without merit. Trooper Lewis, whose dam won three bumpers before going on to do well on the Flat, is a newcomer to note.
Prediction : 1st Pay The Tab 2nd Coole Cottage 3rd Trooper Lewis