2024 Fairyhouse Easter Sunday Preview – DS
2024 Fairyhouse Easter Sunday Preview
Saturday’s two selections both failed to hit the frame. Three Cliffs Bay threatened to run into a place but his run petered out. Martha Brae must have gotten out of the wrong side of the bed because she ran a lifeless race. Dave Stevos is hoping to bounce back at his local track tomorrow, his 2024 Fairyhouse Easter Sunday tips are below.
2.00 – Cawley Furniture Novice Handicap Hurdle (4yo+)
Eddie Cawley sponsors this race and the local trainer is represented by Chosen Diamond. Pulled up in a handicap chase at Limerick (17f sft/hvy) three weeks ago, eight days before that he ran a lovely race over hurdles to finish second off 94 at Navan. He’s now 4lbs higher but he is sure to be primed for this race.
Cawley won it in 2018 and last year he had the 2nd and 3rd in it. This 8yo son of Well Chosen has run well over C&D before. In February 2022 he finished third, beat 3L for the win off 98 on soft ground and he races off the same mark today. He was looking the most likely winner when falling at the last at Navan three starts ago, hopefully Chosen Diamond can gain compensation here at odds of 11/1.
2024 Fairyhouse Easter Sunday Tip: Chosen Diamond e/w @ 11/1 (5 places) nb
2.35 – Honeysuckle Mares Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)
I can’t recall ever seeing a Grade 1 race on these shores with 18 runners. It must be said that 10 of them are trained in Closutton so whichever one Willie wants to win, probably will. Henry De Bromhead also holds a strong hand with four runners but the one I’m going to side with is the only UK raider, Springtime Promise.
Trained by in form Fergal O’Brien, this 7yo is by a top NH sire in Fame And Glory. A dual P2P winner on soft and heavy ground, this mare has a flawless record under rules. She is 3/3 over timber, winning a pair of novices before landing a Grade 2 at Sandown.
She clearly enjoys going right handed so it could be a shrewd move to come here rather than going to Aintree or Cheltenham. She’ll be suited by a truly run race, which we will surely get in a field of this size and even if it isn’t, she usually races prominently so she shouldn’t be too far back if it does turn into a sprint.
Hopefully Springtime Promise can do what Golden Ace did at Cheltenham and defeat the cream of the Irish crop. At 16s, she is the e/w selection.
2024 Fairyhouse Easter Sunday Tip: Springtime Promise e/w @ 16/1 (4 places) nap
3.10 – Paddy Kehoe Novice Hurdle (Grade 2)
Damian Murphy is based in Mallow in Cork and he travels up with his very promising son of Malinas, Oscars Brother. Second in three point to points, he ran an absolute cracker on his rules debut in a 3 mile maiden at Cork (24f sft/hvy). He finished a fine second, just 2.75L behind Largy Hill, who has since won a Grade 3. On his previous start Largy Hill was only 4.75L behind Stellar Story so that form looks solid.
The money came for Oscars Brother last time out at Limerick (24f hvy) and he delivered. He absolutely hosed up by 13L, leaving Mickie Angel and the 119 rated Find A Fortune in his wake. Murphy has decided to drop back half a mile in trip for this contest, which is a slight concern, but on the forecast ground stamina could come to the fore and his horse has plenty of that in his locker.
No Flies On Him does set an ok standard but Tullyhill didn’t exactly frank the form of his Punchestown second at Cheltenham. Dee Capo has already placed at G3 level and he sets a good standard with a rating of 144.
However, if this lad were trained by Mullins or Elliott he wouldn’t be anywhere near as big as 14/1 and there’s been a few quid for him already (was 20s). 12/1 or bigger is acceptable.
2024 Fairyhouse Easter Sunday Tip: Oscars Brother e/w @ 14/1 (4 places)
3.45 – Donohue Marquees Novice Hurdle (Grade 2)
Regular readers of the blog will remember us backing Ataboycharlie a couple of times this season. On the first occasion he wasn’t off in a maiden here but he made amends for us when winning at 16/1 at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting. That win came off 111 and he was still travelling well off 123 when falling at the DRF.
In my opinion, a mark of 123 still underestimates this horse’s ability. He ran Waterford Whispers very close on his hurdles debut at Galway (16f sft) and that horse has since gone on to be placed in top class handicaps at Leopardstown off 123 and in the County at Cheltenham off 133. He’s now rated 135 and I think Ataboycharlie is at least as good as him.
Keith Donoghue looks a good booking. That fall at Leopardstown may have dented this fella’s confidence and there are few better jockeys at getting one jumping well. On form, Mirazur West is probably the one to beat but once that Leopardstown mishap hasn’t left a mark, Ataboycharlie can hopefully hit the frame at odds of 12/1.
2024 Fairyhouse Easter Sunday Tip: Ataboycharlie e/w @ 12/1
4.20 – Novice Handicap Chase (Listed)
We backed The King Of Prs in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham but his jumping let him down. When he won a Beginners at Wexford in November (16f hvy) he had 6L to spare over Skippin Court who finished third. They met off level weights that day, today Peter Fahey’s charge is 10lbs better off.
On his next start after that run Skippin Court made his handicap chase debut at Leopardstown (17f yld). Running off 118, he ran a grand race to finish 4th just 5L behind the winner, The Folkes Tiara. The son of Court Cave was doing his best work at the finish but that was on better ground than this and on heavy, 16f could be ideal for him.
As will be the case (I hope) in most of the races here this weekend, the emphasis will be on staying power rather than speed. He has won twice over hurdles at 16f so I’m not massively concerned about the trip, I’d be more concerned about him putting in a smooth round of jumping. If he doesn’t make any silly mistakes, Skippin Court can sneak into the frame here at odds of 22/1.
2024 Fairyhouse Easter Sunday Tip: Skippin Court e/w @ 22/1
4.55 – WilloWarm Gold Cup (Grade 1)
Last, but not least, we have the day’s feature. This 20f Grade 1 has attracted a field of just seven and even with a few firms paying three places, it doesn’t make much appeal as a betting heat. Spillane’s Tower, Blood Destiny, Tactical Move and Zanahiyr all bring pretty strong form into the race and they should all act on this ground.
The only one that looks potentially overpriced is Thecompanysergeant. He ran really well in a Thurles G3 over 18f last time and this trip should suit him. I’d just worry that this ground may be a touch too testing for him as there’s been good in the ground description for three of his four career wins.
I’ll probably regret not putting him up but I think the market leaders will probably dominate. So, it’s probably best to keep the powder dry here with another big day to come tomorrow. No bet.
