UK Horse Racing Tips: Fairyhouse

Willie Mullins is happy to let Proactif and MACHO MAN lock horns, with both French imports already towards the head of the ante-post Triumph Hurdle market. Today's betting will obviously give a good indication of what is expected, but the Donnellys not only snapped up Macho Man following his impressive Auteuil triumph but also the runner-up, who starts off for Nicky Henderson at Newbury this afternoon. That form is slightly more inspiring than Proactif's victory over the same C&D. Quinta Do Lago had Combs back in third when successful at Punchestown, although that form may not be confirmed on the revised terms.
Prediction : 1st Macho Man 2nd Proactif 3rd Combs

BAMBINO FEVER can put the record straight after blotting her copybook at Naas. Willie Mullins' six-year-old carried all before her in bumpers last season and claimed top honours in the championship events at Cheltenham and Punchestown. She was unsurprisingly a red-hot favourite for her hurdling debut, but had to give second best to Oldschool Outlaw. The classy winner had a recent run under her belt, though, and with match sharpness and jumping experience now on her side, Bambino Fever should really be a few levels above these. Miss Doyenne won a point and a NH Flat race, and should be successful in this sphere too judging by her good third at Down Royal over Christmas. Cornelienne was a couple of places behind Bambino Fever at Naas and has place claims.
Prediction : 1st Bambino Fever 2nd Miss Doyenne 3rd Cornelienne

Found A Diamond made an excellent start to life in handicaps when running out an emphatic winner at Navan and, on the same card, THE LOVELY MAN also tasted success. The Gavin Cromwell-trained seven-year-old's victory came over the larger obstacles, earning him a 9lb rise, but he competes off the same mark here and can take full advantage. It's possible that Dippedinmoonlight is also nicely treated, although she hasn't performed to market expectations since returning to the winter game. From The Ashes has been performing well in defeat and that could be the case again.
Prediction : 1st The Lovely Man 2nd Found A Diamond 3rd Dippedinmoonlight

A Grade 1 winner as a novice hurdler, INTHEPOCKET hasn't been able to get a good run at his chasing career, spending a couple of lengthy spells on the sidelines. He fell when still in with a shout in a Grade 3 at Naas on his comeback before probably finding an extended 2m4f beyond him in the Foxrock Handicap Chase, but this is a more suitable test for him and he can begin to make up for lost time. Drumgill forced Touch Me Not and Western Diego to settle for minor honours in a Listed handicap over C&D and all three should be in the mix again. The latter's stablemate Blood Destiny has more than a touch of class about him and commands attention, despite top weight.
Prediction : 1st Inthepocket 2nd Blood Destiny 3rd Touch Me Not

KAROLINE BANBOU held her own at a high level as a novice hurdler and could do something similar in this sphere. The six-year-old was sent off joint-favourite when starting her chasing career in a good event over slightly shorter here and beat all bar Jacob's Ladder, who boosted the form when runner-up in a Grade 3 at Punchestown last weekend. She gets weight all round and is a confident selection. Her stable companion Port Joulain came up short over 2m7f on his first crack at fences, and was mid-division in the Albert Bartlett last term, but his previous efforts over shorter were more encouraging. Koori Star might be able to collect some minor money.
Prediction : 1st Karoline Banbou 2nd Port Joulain 3rd Koori Star

Miss Pronunciation didn't run too badly over an extended 2m4f here in November and although winless over fences so far, she is starting to get the hang of things. That said, it took JACOVEC CAVERN no time at all to score over the larger obstacles, having won on his chasing bow at Gowran Park. Paul Hennessy's charge ought to relish the extra yardage and is fancied to go in again. Beggars Rock failed to justify favouritism at Cork, but that effort came on the back of an absence and can be forgiven. It would be dangerous to rule out Choccabloc, who held every chance when coming to grief two from home at Limerick.
Prediction : 1st Jacovec Cavern 2nd Miss Pronunciation 3rd Beggars Rock

Switched to Willie Mullins having made an extremely pleasing start to his career at Punchestown, THE WAGER can take a step forward. The horse who beat him that day has since gone on to win twice over hurdles and is now Grade 1-entered, so natural progress ought to be enough. Gordon Elliott had an excellent Festive period and point-to-point winner Detroit Maverick, who fetched 82,000 euros as a three-year-old, has more than enough to recommend him. Moments Away occupied the runner-berth on his first start and is considered, although the race-fit Martymill could be a bigger threat.
Prediction : 1st The Wager 2nd Detroit Maverick 3rd Martymill