UK Horse Racing Tips: Fairyhouse

ZENTA worryingly pulled up on her most recent start but is a Grade 1-winning juvenile hurdler. The selection scored at the top level at Aintree in April 2023, a month after her Triumph Hurdle placing, but has disappointed twice over fences. Her Ballinrobe defeat was underwhelming and while she jumped ok in a smart race at Cork in December, she faded tamely but she is much better than that showing. Paggane showed smart form on her chase debut when second in a Limerick Grade 2 over Christmas. She was comfortably held by smart prospect Bioluminescence that day and would struggle to beat an on-song Zenta. Karia Des Blaises attained a Grade 3 second on her chase debut, finishing a place ahead of the reopposing Iris Emery.
Prediction : 1st Zenta 2nd Paggane 3rd Karia Des Blaises

THELONGLAD showed precious little prior to an improved effort over Christmas and he could win from his revised rating. A fourth-placed finish in November 2023 had previously been his best hurdles effort but he showed better form on chase debut at Limerick, when travelling well before falling at the second-last fence. He has been raised 2lb and is a further 2lb out of the handicap but his rider again claims 5lb. Dual point-to-point winner Glady Max finished second at Cork last month (Mighty Oak Lad third) and while he is rated 11lb higher in this sphere than over hurdles, he should prove competitive. Rochestown has good recent hurdle form and warrants respect as he reverts to fences.
Prediction : 1st Thelonglad 2nd Glady Max 3rd Rochestown

AFFORDALE FURY has been absent for 438 days but has been a non-runner twice since Christmas so is likely to be near peak fitness. Runner-up in the 2023 Albert Bartlett Hurdle, he won smartly on his Galway chase debut in October 2023 before presumably suffering an injury in a subsequent Grade 2 contest. Withdrawn from two recent good-ground engagements, he now competes against more exposed types. Fil Dor has been running well in smart races recently and is dependable, but has top-weight and tries this distance for the first time. Sa Majeste might benefit from stepping up to this distance but needs to improve, while admirable veteran Any Second Now may be best watched on his seasonal reappearance.
Prediction : 1st Affordale Fury 2nd Fil Dor 3rd Sa Majeste

BALLYSAX HANK debuts for new connections dropping in distance and should have more room for progression, being a big chasing type. His form is mostly on good ground but has been placed on an easy surface in the past and while he was well held at Punchestown in December, he hung left there and was unsuited by competing around the inner loop. That form has worked out extremely well, as recent big-race winner McLaurey finished third. Puturhandstogether will probably have the Fred Winter Hurdle in mind after this run and won nicely at Cork in December. The runner-up and fifth from that race have scored subsequently, while Collaborative has useful recent handicap form.
Prediction : 1st Ballysax Hank 2nd Puturhandstogether 3rd Collaborative

LEGIONNAIRE FOREZ, who was runner-up in a French bumper in November, is being quoted quoted for the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and looks a likely sort on Irish debut for Willie Mullins. Gordon Elliott takes the wraps off Shirocco gelding Good To Be Alive who is sure to be well schooled and starts off in a race lacking depth. Ex-Flat Sundance Sioux showed up nicely in fourth on hurdle bow at Punchestown, so he is in the hunt for a cheque. Imarajan is a recruit from the Flat to note after he kept on for second over a staying trip on his last start at the Curragh, while Hobart isn't out of it.
Prediction : 1st Legionnaire Forez 2nd Good To Be Alive 3rd Sundance Sioux

Willie Mullins has landed the last three renewals of this race and his PLACE DE LA NATION appeals. She is a four-year-old French recruit who receives plenty of weight from her rivals and holds a Triumph Hurdle entry at Cheltenham. Mullins also saddles Karoline Banbou who just gave best in second close home at Naas at November. That was her first run for more than a year and she was a Grade 3 bumper winner in her native France. Swing Davis drops back in trip after finishing second on hurdle debut at this track, while there is surely more to come from Glens Lullaby who was decent in bumpers.
Prediction : 1st Place De La Nation 2nd Karoline Banbou 3rd Swing Davis

A step up in trip on testing ground is expected to suit MAKAIAH. She outran her odds when keeping on for second at this venue last month and Aidan Kelly claims 5lb again. Elusive Guy showed much more in second at Clonmel and looks dangerous for Jarlath Fahey. Lilian Bland finished third when gambled on over fences at Cork, so has to be respected in reverting to the smaller obstacles. Wendell's Lass was still in there pitching with a share of the lead when she fell two out over a similar trip in Punchestown, so shouldn't be ruled out. Market support for Gavin Cromwell's Mickie Angel would be significant.
Prediction : 1st Makaiah 2nd Elusive Guy 3rd Lilian Bland

NEXT STOP PARIS faced stiff tasks in three maiden hurdles, but two of those runs weren't devoid of ability. He can make an impact off a mark of 102 in his first handicap hurdle for in-form Gavin Cromwell. Chosen Diamond wasn't a factor in a much-higher grade at Punchestown, but should be involved off 2lb lower. Doyen Flyer made up plenty of ground for fifth over further at Punchestown last month. If she can race handier over this trip, she would certainly enter calculations. Former Irish Grand National winner Lord Lariat is probably best watched on his return from a very lengthy absence.
Prediction : 1st Next Stop Paris 2nd Chosen Diamond 3rd Doyen Flyer