UK Horse Racing Tips: Fairyhouse

KAROLINE BANBOU could be the one to side with. She won her maiden hurdle at this track in February and showed ability in fourth a Grade 2 at the Cheltenham Festival. She has Flat speed and enjoys testing ground which makes her a threat to all if taking to fences. Stablemate Karamoja, who was Grade 1-placed over hurdles, looks a big danger on chasing bow. Emmet Mullins runs Mclaurey, who began his chasing career with a reasonable fourth over much further at Thurles, and should be sharper dropping back in trip. Jacob's Ladder, who is race fit from two beginners' chases last month, is far from out of it.
Prediction : 1st Karoline Banbou 2nd Karamoja 3rd Mclaurey

BRAVE FORTUNE holds an eye-catching entry in a Grade 1 novice chase at Limerick over Christmas. He was last seen winning a beginners' chase at Roscommon in June and has some form in the book on testing ground. This is effectively a drop in class for Talk In The Park. His last three outings have seen him finish third in a valuable handicap at Listowel, and fourth in the Munster National at Limerick, before he unseated at Punchestown. He looks nicely weighted with Michael Kenneally taking 7lb off his back. Barry Lyndon won over C&D in October and has to be respected.
Prediction : 1st Brave Fortune 2nd Talk In The Park 3rd Barry Lyndon

BEN HUR was strong in the market at Navan last month and showed up well in second behind a ready winner. There should be more to come from him on his second start over flights. Kibris, who was useful on the Flat, disappointed at Galway but could feature in this company. Wackestone finished two and a-quarter lengths behind Ben Hur in third in that aforementioned race at Navan. He gets first-time cheekpieces and looks to be a contender. Simple Things was a promising third on jumping debut over C&D in November and that performance can be viewed in a better light as the two horses in front of her went on to contest a Grade 3 at this track.
Prediction : 1st Ben Hur 2nd Kibris 3rd Wackestone

FIERCE HANDAY is a lightly-raced sort who was a fair fourth in a higher grade at Gowran Park. The horse in fifth came out and scored at Thurles towards the end of November, so Fierce Handay is threatening off an unchanged mark. Kentucky Beach attempted to make all at Gowran Park, but went down by a neck after being collared on the run-in. He relishes the mud flying and has a shot at compensation off 3lb higher. Hillstar Blues won by a short head on better ground at Thurles last month. The handicapper gave him 7lb and he is up in class, but he still appears one of the more likely contenders.
Prediction : 1st Fierce Handay 2nd Kentucky Beach 3rd Hillstar Blues

I AM LORENZO can open his account on his second start for Paul Nolan. Runner-up on two occasions for Gavin Cromwell, the Milan gelding filled the same position when sent off market leader on his stable debut at Clonmel last month. With an official rating of 127, the six-year-old sets a fair standard in a race of this nature and stepping up to 3m for the first time could also bring about further improvement. Point-to-point winner Bally Free, who shaped with plenty of encouragement when fourth on his hurdling debut at Punchestown recently, shouldn't be far away. Porthill was third on his sole start under Rules and is almost certainly capable of much better.
Prediction : 1st I Am Lorenzo 2nd Bally Free 3rd Porthill

With the Gavin Cromwell yard back among the winners, COWPER HALL has to be a leading contender. Runner-up at Navan on his penultimate start, he finished fourth at Thurles subsequently and is entitled to improve again. Gino Bella, who was a place in front of Cowper Hall last time, also has every chance, while others to note are Teds Corner and That's Me Finished.
Prediction : 1st Cowper Hall 2nd Gino Bella 3rd Teds Corner

Recent Punchestown runner-up MY GOOD PAL can step up a place. Despite being beaten seven lengths at the finish, the son of Mount Nelson was following up a solid effort when reaching the frame at the same circuit. With the Gavin Cromwell yard emerging from an untypically quiet spell, it would be no surprise to see this six-year-old take another step forward. A beaten favourite when second over fences at Tramore last month, Mount Shenshan has to be respected. She is reunited with Charlie Mullins, who was on board for her only previous success. Koolio Kate also holds claims in an open contest.
Prediction : 1st My Good Pal 2nd Mount Shenshan 3rd Koolio Kate

In a race where a couple of debutants catch the eye, the each-way value could lie with the once-raced BROSNA SHINE. Nicely supported when third in the Goffs Defender Bumper at the Punchestown Festival, the Sonny Carey-trained daughter of No Risk At All sets a fair standard. Hailing from a smaller operation, she could easily be sent off at a backable price, despite her solid form. The Willie Mullins-trained newcomer Babyburn is an obvious contender. With plenty of bumper winners in her pedigree, the half-sister to Ballyburn is bred for the job. Point-to-point winner Ash Hobbs must also hold strong claims on her first start under Rules.
Prediction : 1st Brosna Shine 2nd Babyburn 3rd Ash Hobbs