Monday 1st April 2024
Author: Jordan Yates (jordan_yates_)
Fairyhouse Grand National Meeting (Monday)
2.05: Farmhouse Foods Novice Handicap Hurdle: After having little luck on the punting front on Sunday, we go again on Grand National Day itself on Monday at Fairyhouse with the opener at 2.05 a handicap hurdle over two miles. I like D Art D Art here for Thomas Cooper and Aidan Kelly who takes off five. He made a big impression when winning a maiden at Cork back in January over two miles, and was possibly stretched last time out when upped in trip. He’s now dropped back down to that distance here and I think that he can go very close off what looks like a reasonable mark. D Art D Art – 7/2 (Win)
2.40: O’Driscoll’s Irish Whiskey Juvenile Hurdle: Next up it’s the 2.40 which is a Grade 2 Juvenile Hurdle that’s ridden over two miles. I’m siding with the UK raider here Givemefive who’s currently an 8/1 chance for Harry Derham and Paul O’Brien. He was last seen when finishing a very solid second in the Grade 2 Adonis Hurdle at Kempton to the smart Kalif Du Berlais. He missed Cheltenham so he should be fresh and I beleive that there’s a lot more to come from him. Givemefive – 8/1 (Each-Way)
3.15: Fairyhouse Steel Handicap Hurdle: My third selection of the day comes up in the 3.15 which is a handicap hurdle that’s ridden over two miles and six furlongs. This looks all about O’Moore Park for me who represents Paul Townend and Willie Mullins. He finally put it all together on his most recent outing when winning impressively in a maiden here back in January when beating Lucky Lyreen by nine lengths. That rival has since gone on to win twice so the form looks considerably strong and the Mullins seven-year-old has to be the one to beat here. O’Moore Park – 7/4 (Win)
3.50: Rathbarry & Glenview Studs Hurdle: Moving onto the 3.50 now which is Grade 2 hurdle action over two miles and four furlongs. I’m going to try and take Zarak The Brave on here due to the trip and the ground with Thedevilscoachman for Noel Meade and Mark Walsh. He had a bad scope after his no-show last time at Gowran Park in the Galmoy Hurdle and if he’s over that he shouldn’t have any issues here with the going as well as the distance. He’s a rock-solid performer around this sort of level and if he’s anywhere near his best he can go close. Thedevilscoachman – 11/4 (Win)
4.20: McInerney Properties Fairyhouse Chase: The fifth race of the afternoon is the 4.20 which is a Grade 2 chase that’s ridden over two miles and three and a half furlongs. I’m taking a chance on Journey With Me here for the team of Henry De Bromhead and Darragh O’Keeffe. He returned to the track after an eleven-month lay off earlier this month and finished third of five behind Ash Tree Meadow in a Grade 2 at Navan. It’s likely that he needed the run that day and should strip a lot fitter here, he’s always a horse who has had considerable potential on the back of his novice campaign and if he puts it all together here he’s a big player. Journey With Me – 11/2 (Each-Way)
5.00: BoyleSports Irish Grand National Chase: The big one is set to take place at 5.00 which is the Boylesports Irish Grand National over three miles and five furlongs. I’ve had two picks in the race, the first of which is Senior Chief for Henry De Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore. He’s unexposed and ticks a lot of boxes for the race, he stayed on well to win last time out at Punchestown in February and he’ll likely relish this type of test. My second pick is Yeah Man for Gavin Cromwell and Keith Donoghue, he won a Grand National Trial at Haydock on his most recent outing and looks to be going the right way. The distance and ground won’t be an issue at all for him and I think another big run could be on the cards if he gets a clear round. Senior Chief – 10/1 (Each-Way) & Yeah Man – 10/1 (Each-Way)
5.40: Envirogreen Building Services Handicap Chase: My final pick of the day comes in the 5.40 which is a handicap chase over three miles and half of a furlong. I’m with Sir Denis’s Well here for Ian Donoghue and Jack Kennedy. He’s a progressive six-year-old having won three of his four chases this term and whilst his mark is ever-increasing there could still be room to maneuver. He’s one of very few in this contest who come into the race in good form and he won’t have any issues with the trip or the ground, having won over three miles before on testing ground. Another big run looks likely. St Denis’s Well – 4/1 (Win)
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