UK Horse Racing Tips: Fairyhouse

Jack Kennedy returns from suspension and might get straight back into the winning groove on CROKE PARK. The point-to-point winner landed a Grade 3 novice hurdle at Navan just under a year ago before being found wanting a couple of times at the highest level. He's unproven on a sound surface, so hopefully there's enough juice in the ground for him to take his chance. Gordon Elliott also has Cleatus Poolaw in here and he, too, is a winning pointer who was a useful hurdler last term. Iris Emery had jumped better when stepped up in trip at Tramore before crumpling on landing when in front two out, while Sequestered was a creditable fourth at Galway last time.
Prediction : 1st Croke Park 2nd Cleatus Poolaw 3rd Iris Emery

JUNIOR RATTLER might be able to add a chase victory to the three that he has recorded over hurdles. The Arakan gelding is fairly unexposed in this discipline and was second in a Kilbeggan handicap off just a 2lb lower mark last year. After five months off, he ran OK over hurdles at Clonmel last month and should be primed for this. It was a modest contest that Ballagh Star landed on chase debut at Sligo, but he jumped well and is open to more improvement. Brave Adam finished well clear with the runner-up when taking a Killarney beginners chase on easier ground and his mark was raised 10lb ahead of this handicap debut.
Prediction : 1st Junior Rattler 2nd Ballagh Star 3rd Brave Adam

BEYOND YOUR DREAMS should be good enough to make a winning start over flights if taking to jumping. A progressive young handicapper on the Flat in recent months, the Joseph O'Brien-trained filly looks the right type for juvenile hurdling. Game Phoenix could manage no better than sixth at Gowran Park last time, but had finished runner-up on her first two runs over hurdles. Paul Power's daughter of Phoenix Of Spain has acquired valuable jumping experience, which should stand to her here against the newcomers. Space Warrior also holds claims having shown ability in five runs on the level. While he will need to improve further, Tom Mullins' charge has to be respected on his hurdling debut.
Prediction : 1st Beyond Your Dreams 2nd Game Phoenix 3rd Space Warrior

Gordon Elliott looks to have found a nice opportunity for THE MEDIATOR to open his account over jumps. A five-time runner-up since switching to hurdling, the former bumper winner has done little wrong to date. In what appears his easiest assignment to date, the seven-year-old can record a second career success. The David Harry Kelly-trained Faceman has shaped well enough in two bumper starts to suggest he is capable of winning races. Although needing to improve further to take a hand here, the lightly-raced gelding has plenty of scope for progression. Former point-to-point winner Breaking Silence would be of definite interest if fit and ready after an absence.
Prediction : 1st The Mediator 2nd Faceman 3rd Breaking Silence

A smart handicap hurdler last term, WHAT'S UP DARLING can make a winning reappearance. Gordon Elliott's gelding, who won a Grade 3 novice hurdle at Navan last November, finished his campaign with respectable efforts in stronger races at Cheltenham and Aintree. This looks a perfect race to get his new season off to a winning start. Twice successful over flights, Barry Lyndon looks the chief threat. Although disappointing on his most recent outing, the six-year-old had won his previous start. The lightly-raced Well Del finished fourth in a maiden hurdle at Listowel, before beating his only two opponents in a beginners chase at Limerick. This is harder, but he is totally unexposed after just four runs.
Prediction : 1st Whats Up Darling 2nd Barry Lyndon 3rd Well Del

U ASKING ME can make it two wins from his last three starts over hurdles. The Eoin Doyle-trained gelding won over this trip at Clonmel finishing runner-up here over two furlongs less. Back up to his optimum distance at a venue where he is already proven, the seven-year-old should be hard to beat. Hatfield Hammer, who was runner-up in that aforementioned Clonmel race, should again be competitive. Paul Nolan's five-year-old has shown enough in 10 starts to suggest he has the ability to win races at this level. Blue Reed will need to improve on anything he has shown in recent times, but the five-year-old has to be respected on his first start for the Cian Collins stable.
Prediction : 1st U Asking Me 2nd Hatfield Hammer 3rd Blue Reed

HEES DYNAMITE won well at Limerick last time and gets another go in this lowest grade. The Ocovango gelding had been knocking on the door before his victory 17 days ago and, despite a 7lb rise, he has to have a big shout of following up in a moderate contest. Kate Ill Know looks the obvious danger switching back to hurdles. A bad mistake five out ended her chances over fences last time, but she had been running consistently over timber previously. Beechfield showed improvement when fourth at Punchestown and could be place material now.
Prediction : 1st Hees Dynamite 2nd Kate Ill Know 3rd Beechfield

CRUISIN SUSAN is a consistent sort at this level and can bag another win. She had a good spell during the summer, with two victories in the month of August, and has held her form well recently off a mark 1lb higher than this. Kilmurry Jj is a better horse over fences, but has a 16lb lower mark over timber and could be a big player in this grade. He did run poorly when last seen over hurdles at Galway and will need to produce a better effort than that. Mr Mcwhinny didn't run too badly at Punchestown last time and may be capable of getting a bit closer now.
Prediction : 1st Cruisin Susan 2nd Kilmurry Jj 3rd Mr Mcwhinny