UK Horse Racing Tips: Fairyhouse

IMPAIRE ET PASSE is very hard to get away from on his chasing debut. He has won six of his nine hurdle races including three at the highest level at Cheltenham, Punchestown and Aintree. He is a more than interesting recruit to chasing especially as Willie Mullins commented in a recent stable tour that he could be one for his Arkle squad. Staffordshire Knot was runner-up in a Grade 1 over flights at Aintree in April. He's had a kissing spine operation since then and could be better over fences. Waterford Whispers has reportedly schooled well over the bigger obstacles and should have a role to play, while O'moore Park and Now Is The Hour are others eyeing prize money.
Prediction : 1st Impaire Et Passe 2nd Staffordshire Knot 3rd Waterford Whispers

ST DENIS'S WELL appeals on the back of a highly creditable runner-up berth in a handicap hurdle at Navan just under a fortnight ago, and he is a better chaser than hurdler. Gordon Elliott's General Hubble is climbing the ranks after two victories over fences at this track (under Toni Quail) and in Punchestown during November. If those exertions haven't left a mark, he would be a significant threat. His stablemate, Shajak, has been placed in his last three races over fences and should be competitive. Turbo overcame a very lengthy absence to score in Thurles last week. He did win nicely, but you'd have to be wary of the bounce factor with the 11-year-old gelding.
Prediction : 1st St Deniss Well 2nd General Hubble 3rd Shajak

VISIONARIAN ought to be a big player in this Listed handicap chase. He won a small-field Grade 2 at Gowran Park in October and that form was boosted when the runner-up came out and landed a Grade 3 in Punchestown. Visionarian then did as well as could be expected in fourth in a Grade 1 in Down Royal. American Mike is entitled to come on from his sixth in the Troytown on seasonal reappearance at Navan, especially as he ran well for a long way. Uncle Phil's last visit to Fairyhouse saw him scoop a Grade 3 handicap chase in January, while Jack Kennedy is a notable booking for The Big Chap who has won two of his last three over fences.
Prediction : 1st Visionarian 2nd American Mike 3rd Uncle Phil

A DREAM TO SHARE has to be of interest on hurdling debut after winning two Grade 1 bumpers among his substantial haul in that sphere. He is sure to be well schooled for this assignment, but will need to be on his game. Ballygunner Castle was the subject of a favourable report from Willie Mullins in a stable tour. Ideally, he would want further than this, but he did land a couple of bumpers in the spring. Don'tstopthemusic put a big field to the sword in a Punchestown bumper and that race has already thrown up a couple of maiden hurdle winners. Ballybow is match fit after striking in a Sligo bumper, while Sommesky, Harbour Highway and Ivybrook are others with claims.
Prediction : 1st A Dream To Share 2nd Ballygunner Castle 3rd Dontstopthemusic

BOTTLER'SECRET had Givemefive over 14 lengths behind when landing a Grade 2 over C&D on heavy ground last Easter, although the places were reversed on a sounder surface at Cheltenham last month where Dodger Long split the pair in second. Givemefive had the benefit of a prep run on the Flat before that latest win, while the selection should have progressed from the outing and now has 'home' advantage. Kala Conti won a Grade 2 at Leopardstown last Christmas and made a successful reappearance in a valuable handicap at Down Royal earlier this month, while Anzadam won both hurdle outings in France last year and market support would be significant.
Prediction : 1st Bottlersecret 2nd Givemefive 3rd Anzadam

STORMBREAKER stayed well on the Flat, winning twice for James Fanshawe, and following a lengthy absence, has gradually progressed in three outings for current connections. The selection put in an improved round of jumping when landing a 2m2f maiden at Listowel and should be suited by this longer trip. Apple's Of Bresil has always been held in good regard and Barry Connell indicated he prefers conventional hurdles after easily winning a Gowran maiden last month. Disco Dancer (second) and Run For Harry (third) were only separated by a neck when placed behind Sonny May (won again since) at Gowran, while Palamon and Brave Fortune are others to consider.
Prediction : 1st Stormbreaker 2nd Apples Of Bresil 3rd Palamon

FALCON EIGHT hasn't raced over hurdles for nearly two years but retains plenty of ability on the Flat and appears on a reasonable mark. The Dermot Weld-trained gelding has run only six times over flights, including being beaten less than a length when third in a Grade 2 over C&D, and was competing off a Flat rating of 101 when placed in a valuable 2m Naas handicap last month. Farmers Lodge showed promise in maiden hurdles before successfully switching to fences here earlier this year. He reverts to hurdles off an attractive rating compared to his chase mark, while others for the shortlist include In For The Night, Tonaghneave Well, Golden Joy and Old Bill Barley.
Prediction : 1st Falcon Eight 2nd Farmers Lodge 3rd In For The Night

This race is run in memory of Gordon Elliott's uncle, Willie, and the Cullentra trainer mounts a strong challenge in his bid to win it for a third successive year. MA JACKS HILL was bought for 310,000 euro soon after beating Sortudo in a Dromahane point-to-point last April and that form received a timely boost when the runner-up won a Tramore bumper in good style on Tuesday. Koktail Brut has a similar profile having also been purchased (for 250,000) at the Punchestown Festival Sale after easily winning a point-to-point. You Proof, runner-up on his only point start for Pat Doyle, also represents powerful connections, while Faithful Follower had Hunsaker well behind when runner-up to the long odds-on Classical Creek at Down Royal.
Prediction : 1st Ma Jacks Hill 2nd Koktail Brut 3rd You Proof