Fairyhouse Sunday Racing Tips by Dave Stevos
Fairyhouse Sunday Preview
It was an exciting day of racing at Newbury on Saturday, but most of our tips ran poorly. Coeur Blimey jumped pretty poorly and was pulled up and dismounted. Hopefully he is okay and lives to fight another day. Beat The Judge ran respectably but he was outclassed and Epatante was very impressive. The lively ground probably did for Daklondike while Joe Farrell made a couple of crucial mistakes. Of course, he finished 7th when we were on for 6 places. Theo was disappointing too, fading out of it badly. Hopefully we get a change of luck on one of the best racing days on the Irish calendar. Check out Dave Stevos’ Fairyhouse Sunday racing tips below…
Fairyhouse Sunday racing Tips: 12.30pm Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 3)
A Grade 3 Juvenile Hurdle gets proceedings under way on a wonderful day of racing at Fairyhouse. It is probably the best card of the year so far in Ireland and plenty of jumping stars will be on show. There could be some stars of the future in this one, a race won by the ill fated Champion Hurdle winner Espoir D’allen in 2017. Joseph O’Brien looks to hold all the aces with A Wave Of The Sea and Cereberus. They won their races last time out by a combined total of 29L and they look like exciting prospects.
In all likelihood they will fill the first two places, but with 3 places available Dinard Rose is worth backing each way. Noel Meade’s daughter of Champs Elysees was useful on the level. She was very unlucky not to win on her hurdling debut but she made amends at Gowran last time. She will likely stay further than 2 miles over hurdles in time but for now, a fast run race over 16f looks ideal. Dinard Rose gets a nice few pound in weight from the top two and I can see Sean Flanagan riding her for place money and more importantly, black type. At 9/1 she is the each way selection.
FAIRYHOUSE SUNDAY TIPS: DINARD ROSE E/W @ 9/1
Fairyhouse Sunday: 1.00pm – Royal Bond Hurdle (Grade 1)
This Grade 1 hurdle is run over 2 miles and in the past 5 seasons Willie Mullins has dominated. Gordon Elliott broke his stranglehold in 2017 and he will hope to do so again in 2019. Envoi Allen (4/5) is his main hope, while he also has the second favourite Abacadabras (9/2). Envoi Allen has a lofty reputation to preserve and he impressed on his hurdles debut. This is just his second run over timber though and it is a massive step up in class.
At the prices I think Soviet Pimpernel represents solid each way value. He split two very useful and experienced sorts on heavy ground at Cheltenham last time. The return to a better surface will suit and the more the ground dries, the better. He was only 0.75L behind Quel Destin in England, a former Grade 1 winner over hurdles. Soviet Pimpernel travelled like the winner that day and on slightly better ground he should see it out better. At odds of 12/1 he is the each way selection in a cracking race.
FAIRYHOUSE SUNDAY racing TIPS: SOVIET PIMPERNEL E/W @ 12/1
Fairyhouse Sunday racing Tips: 1.30pm – Drinmore Novice Chase (Grade 1)
The second Grade 1 on the card is another intriguing contest. Only 6 go to post for this 20f chase and the bookies have it between Fakir D’oudairies and Samcro. The former was thereabouts at all the big Spring festivals over timber and he beat Melon easily on chase debut. The 4yo gets 8lb from Samcro who finally got his head back in front at Down Royal on his first chase start. The 2018 Ballymore winner never got going last season and his legions of fans will be hoping he kicks on now.
However, as the saying goes, one swallow does not a summer make. He needs to back that run up and Ronald Pump will not make it easy for Samcro or Fakir D’oudairies. This son of Schiaparelli won a very hot beginners’ chase last time here (21f hvy). It was a taking display from a horse that made huge progress through the handicap ranks over timber last term. He won it by 8L and he had some very good horses in behind. Another big factor in his favour is his fondness for Fairyhouse. He has won 3 from 4 here, Mattie Smith has booked Robbie Power and at odds of 7/1 he looks overpriced.
FAIRYHOUSE SUNDAY racing TIPS:RONALD PUMP E/W @ 7/1 nb
Fairyhouse Preview: 2.05pm – Handicap Chase (Grade B)
A field of 15 will go to post in this handicap chase and it is a very hard race to read. A fair few are having their first runs back, while a couple would prefer better ground. The Gatechecker is probably the one to beat after his impressive Cork National win. However, he is a tricky customer in the preliminaries and with a big crowd likely at Fairyhouse he is no banker to repeat the dose.
One that has had a prep run and the ability to go well at a big price is Mon Lino. He too is owned by JP McManus and Paul Nolan trains. This son of Martaline has had jumping issues since going chasing. He was a very useful hurdler, achieving a rating of 132 in that sphere. He had 7 outings over fences which were all poor before finally getting off the mark at Naas.
That win came after a spin over hurdles and though it was good ground, he has form on softer. He was in the frame when falling at Navan off 123 on his next start and he is in off the same mark here. Given his jumping issues, Mon Lino is far from a rock solid bet. However, on ground that will suit and with a prep run under his belt, a small e/w bet is advised at odds of 28/1.
FAIRYHOUSE SUNDAY racing TIPS: MON LINO E/W @ 28/1 (4 PLACES)
Fairyhouse Sunday: 2.40pm – Hatton’s Grace Hurdle (Grade 1)
The final Grade 1 on Sunday at Fairyhouse is the 20f Hatton’s Grace Hurdle. Apple’s Jade is looking to win it for the 4th year running and few would have predicted her odds of 11/4 for the 2019 renewal. Her comeback run was perhaps disappointing in some people’s eyes, but it was a more than satisfactory return to action. Gordon Elliott may be training her to peak later this year, so she could come on a lot for the outing.
Her main rival Honeysuckle is facing her toughest examination yet. She has blitzed all comers in her five runs under rules, four of which have come here. What has she beat though? Easy Game and Mister Blue Sky were her only credible opponents last time and they are hardly superstars. This is another level altogether and she could find it hard to deal with a match fit Apple’s Jade.
Penhill and Bacardys add further intrigue but the conditions of the race sets it up for the mares. At the prices definite preference is for Apple’s Jade. She will strip a lot fitter for her last run and hopefully she repeats last year’s magical performance. At odds of 11/4 Apple’s Jade can make history and win this race for the fourth time.
FAIRYHOUSE SUNDAY racing TIPS: APPLE’S JADE @ 11/4 NAP
Sunday Fairyhouse Tips: 3.10pm – Handicap Hurdle (Grade A)
The final race in our preview is a tricky looking 16f handicap hurdle and 15 will line up at the start. Willie Mullins trains the top three in the market and a total of 6 overall. When Mullins has so many runners he often wins with one of his less fancied ones, so don’t discount the likes of La Sorelita and Mister Blue Sky. However, one that could go well at a massive price on handicap debut is Pakens Rock.
Trained by Barry Murphy in Galway, this son of Central Park won two on the bounce at his local track in late September/early October. His second win in a Novice by 11L was a very good performance and he more than merits an opening mark of 130 on that evidence. Murphy, who has just 2 horses in training, has booked Robbie Power for the ride which suggests he is expecting a good display. If Pakens Rock was trained by Mullins or Elliott he would be half his current odds of 33/1. He could make a bold bid from the front off a low weight and he is the e/w pick.
