Sunday 31st March 2024
Author: Jordan Yates (jordan_yates_)
Fairyhouse Grand National Meeting (Sunday)
2.35: Irish Stallion Farms EBF Honeysuckle Mares’ Novice Hurdle: My first pick of the day at Fairyhouse on Sunday comes in the 2.35 which is the Grade 1 Honeysuckle Mares’ Novice Hurdle over two miles and four furlongs. I’m with Fun Fun Fun here for the team of Willie & Patrick Mullins. She’s arguably unlucky not to be unbeaten over hurdles and took her form to the next level with an impressive six-and-a-half length victory in Grade 3 last time at Navan. I think she’s a very solid each-way pick here and she could even go close to winning once more. Fun Fun Fun – 8/1 (Each-Way)
3.10: Paddy Kehoe Suspended Ceilings Novice Hurdle: Next up it’s the 3.10 where we have more novice hurdle action this time a Grade 2 affair over two miles and four furlongs. I like Dee Capo here for Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy. He’s progressed nicely this term, on his penultimate outing he finished a neck second to stablemate What’s Up Darling within Grade 3 company and most recently got the better of the very useful Ashdale Bob at Leopardstown earlier this month. He’s got solid form in the book and it would be no surprise to see him run well again. Dee Capo – 4/1 (Win)
3.45: Donohue Marquees Novice Hurdle: My third selection of the day comes in the 3.45 which is the Grade 2 Donohue Marquees Novice Hurdle over two miles. I’m with Tounsivator here who represents the team of Willie Mullins and Paul Townend. He was a dual winner on the flat in France and won on his stable debut for Closutton at Naas in February. The horse he beat that day has since come out on won so the form is looking solid and he looks like another potentially smart recruit for his powerhouse connections. He’s got to have a huge chance. Tounsivator – 15/8 (Win)
4.20: BoyleSports, Proud Sponsors Since 2014 Novice Handicap Chase: We move into handicap company at 4.20 with a Listed handicap chase that’s ridden over two miles and half of a furlong. I’m taking a chance on Figaroc here who’s another one for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend. He sports the Ricci silks and whilst he’s far from one of their superstars, I think a race of this nature could be within his grasp. He’s yet to win over fences but was behind some very smart types on his first three attempts in the form of Gaelic Warrior, Tactical Move and Zanahiyr. On his most recent outing, he posted a much-improved effort when third of eleven in another Listed handicap chase, he’ll contest this off the same mark and I think he put in a bold showing. Figaroc – 10/3 (Win)
4.55: WillowWarm Gold Cup: My fifth and final selection of the afternoon comes in the feature at 4.55 which is the WillowWarm Gold Cup which is a Grade 1 over two miles and four furlongs. I’m with Blood Destiny here who’s yet another pick who represents Willie Mullins and Paul Townend. He’s a horse who’s definitely got a significant amount of ability and is currently one apiece in meetings with the favourite Spillane’s Tower, getting the better of that rival last time out by six and a half lengths in a Grade 3 at Navan. He’s worse off at the weights this time but I believe he’s the better horse and if he progresses further from that run he can have a very big say in this. Blood Destiny – 2/1 (Win)
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