UK Horse Racing Tips: Fairyhouse

Former leading bumper performer COLCANNON can make the breakthrough over hurdles. Runner-up on his jumping debut at Punchestown in November, the Noel Meade-trained gelding shaped with promise on two subsequent starts. With the benefit of that experience, he should have too much for these rivals. Henry de Bromhead's lightly-raced Splendid Fellow rates the biggest danger. Second at Cork in December, the form of that race received a boost when the winner scored in Grade 2 company on his next start. Newbrook Diamond has been largely consistent since switched to hurdles and perhaps the application of first-time blinkers can help eke out further improvement.
Prediction : 1st Colcannon 2nd Splendid Fellow 3rd Newbrook Diamond

With cheekpieces retained and a tongue-tie added, the Ted Walsh-trained STICWITHTHEPROCESS can land a second course success. Off the mark here in a maiden hurdle in November, the son of Blue Bresil gave the impression that he had more to offer. Far from disgraced when third at Punchestown subsequently, the six-year-old can be forgiven a below-par run in a messy race at this venue on his latest start. C&D winner Don Jefe could prove to be nicely treated off an initial mark of 113. The five-year-old had shown promise on his previous outing at Cork and came forward from that to win readily. Fellow handicap debutant Frankie's Freebie could also run well.
Prediction : 1st Sticwiththeprocess 2nd Don Jefe 3rd Frankies Freebie

Having been forced to miss Cheltenham, the Willie Mullins-trained LEADER D'ALLIER can get his season back on track. A five-time winner in his native France, the gelding finished second on his Irish debut over Christmas at a time when the stable wasn't firing on all cylinders. An impressive scorer at Punchestown next time, the five-year-old was fancied for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle before being forced to skip that race. Stablemate Too Bossy For Us might put it up to the selection. A 90-rated horse on the Flat, he ran well when sixth in the Supreme. Blake can make his presence felt if first-time cheekpieces eke out further improvement.
Prediction : 1st Leader Dallier 2nd Too Bossy For Us 3rd Blake

Having valuable handicap experience, the Charles Byrnes-trained I STARTED A JOKE can make the most of the switch to novice company. Runner-up in a big field at the Dublin Racing Festival, the seven-year-old showed signs of greenness before staying on late. Fitted with first-time cheekpieces, he looks a leading contender. With Paul Townend in the saddle, He's On Fire appears the pick of the Willie Mullins sextet. An easy winner at Carlisle in February, it is hard to know just how good he could be. Saint Baco is not without his chance if none the worse for a Cheltenham fall.
Prediction : 1st I Started A Joke 2nd Hes On Fire 3rd Saint Baco

OLDSCHOOL OUTLAW can land a valuable pot in Gordon Elliott's quest for a first trainers' championship. Runner-up at Cheltenham last month, the Walk In The Park mare had a number of these rivals in behind. Almost certainly inconvenienced by the drop back in trip on that occasion, the six-year-old should relish this longer distance. A well-beaten second behind Oldschool Outlaw here in February, Place De La Nation got much closer last time. Another who enjoys a thorough test, she would have strong claims if this turned into a war of attrition. Zanoosh looks a gradual improver and could have yet more to offer.
Prediction : 1st Oldschool Outlaw 2nd Place De La Nation 3rd Zanoosh

COME WALK WITH ME catches the eye towards the foot of the weights. His trainer Edward Cawley is one of the sponsors on this card and the seven-year-old will almost certainly have been campaigned with the meeting in mind. Runner-up at Leopardstown last month, the Walk In The Park gelding had run over hurdles on his previous start. With only the three runs over fences, he remains open to plenty of improvement and looks a serious contender. Shuffle The Deck is well handicapped over fences relative to his hurdles mark and has reached the frame on his latest two appearances. Break My Soul, who ran a huge race at the Cheltenham Festival, holds leading claims too.
Prediction : 1st Come Walk With Me 2nd Shuffle The Deck 3rd Break My Soul

A Grade 1 winner at Sandown in January, SIXMILEBRIDGE can take this valuable prize back across the Irish Sea. Unbeaten in three starts over fences, the Fergal O'Brien-trained gelding was a smart horse over hurdles last season. A front-runner who is proven on a right-handed track such as this, he has plenty in his favour if anywhere near his best form. Galway Plate winner Western Fold struggled at Cheltenham, but had earlier finished second in a Grade 1 at the DRF. An experienced campaigner, the Gordon Elliott-trained seven-year-old is more than capable of bouncing back. Kappa Jy Pyke looks the pick of the Willie Mullins trio.
Prediction : 1st Sixmilebridge 2nd Western Fold 3rd Kappa Jy Pyke

A late defection at Cheltenham, WRAPPEDUPINMAY can gain some form of compensation. The Sam Curling-trained gelding had been well touted for the Festival on the preview circuit, but was forced to miss out due to unsuitable ground. At his best with plenty of give, connections of the eight-year-old will be praying that the heavens open in the hours leading up to this race. A smart horse under Rules in his prime, Hunters Yarn has done little wrong in this sphere. Runner-up on his last two starts, he has to be respected. Big Interest has a bit to prove at this stage, but shouldn't be discounted.
Prediction : 1st Wrappedupinmay 2nd Hunters Yarn 3rd Big Interest