It’s been a turbulent week in racing with the Equine Flu hanging over the industry in the UK. Meanwhile us Irish have been keeping the show on the road, giving everyone a taste of the action. It was a big weekend for Naas with ITV Racing rolling into town for the first time. But all that is behind us now. British Racing gets underway again today after almost a week of and not a moment too soon with trainer anxious to get 1 last run in before the Cheltenham Festival. So let’s not waste any more time and just get stuck in to the Wednesday card at Fairyhouse!

The card gets underway with a Juvenile Hurdle, in which the Willie Mullins trained ANDALUSA 11/10 will be a warm order favourite. She’s been steadily progressing run on run so far this season, becoming more assured in her jumping with every hurdle she’s jumped thus far. She was beaten just under 10L over Christmas behind Triumph Hurdle favourite Sir Erec at Leopardstown. She since backed that up with another good run when sent off a well supported favourite behind Carlo Biraghi, who is many people’s idea of an outsider with a big chance in the Triumph. Her biggest threat here could come from a horse that finished just 7L behind her in that Leopardstown race over Christmas in the shape ROCKY SHORES 6/1 (EW). Look to put it simply this is far from a strong maiden and natural progression should see Rocky Shores get involved. I wouldnt totally write off his chances of reversing form with the favourite. I’d have it between those two.

Next up is a Mares Maiden Hurdle over 2 miles. Look it’s as simple as BLACK TEARS 10/11 should be winning this comfortably. Somehow she ran into one last time in Down Royal who seemed to have improved 30lbs for the application if a tongue tie and they were 24L clear of the rest. A reproduction of that or any of her bumper form and she wins this. It’s as simple as that. If odds on shots aren’t for you and your looking for an eachway bet, Ellmarie Holden’s CHIAVARI 12/1 (EW) looks as solid as anything. This is just the type of runner Holden has been making hay with in recent seasons. You can be assured she will be well schooled and comes here with plenty experience off the flat. The trainer for the most part likes her runners to be ridden prominently which is always a positive in maidens like this when your trying to find the eachway value. This doesn’t look like one who will be held back for get a mark. She is more likely than not to be left run on merit and take a meaningful part in the race. That makes her the eachway play for me.

The 2:35 is a Mares Beginners Chase and again in my opinion you need not look much further than the Gordon Elliott trained MISSY TATA 6/5. She’s by far the best of these over hurdles. A six time winner with and a rating of 145. She hasn’t been seen in 2 years but that wouldn’t concern me so much. She’s been entered up on numerous occasions already this season but they just didn’t want to take a chance with her on her comeback on unseasonably firm ground. This mare is all class, she knows how to win and if she’s 80% here she just wins!

The fourth race of the day is a Rated Chase over just shy of 3 miles and it’s a a wide open race. Despite the small field you could make a case for plenty of these. The one I’ve come down on is SNUGSBUROUGH BENNY 11/4 who has been in decent form now since Galway. He’s a big scopey son of Beneficial with the trip and ground no issue for him. He will be given a Denis O’Regan special. He will be held up got into a good jumping rhythm and let the likes of Call It Magic, Measureofmydreams and Fine Theatre take eachother on infront and hopefully pick up the pieces in the home straight after they’ve softened eachother up. Call It Magic is the most likely danger.

Next up is an Amateur Riders race over almost 3 miles and it looks a great opportunity for SCHOOL LANE 5/2 has a great chance to get a win over fences. He ran a blinder last time behind a horse of Paul Nolans at Down Royal when they webt at it a long way from home and pulled 23L clear of the 3rd. He’s gone up 3lbs for that but I can’t see that stopping him. Lisa O’Neill is a great booking in the saddle and against a field where his biggest dangers according to the market at least are serial losers, you’d hope he should be good enough to swat these aside with ease.

The penultimate race on the card is a Rated Novice Hurdle and with the four year old and mares allowances coming into play for STORMY TALE 3/1 she looks a certainty in my eyes to get off the mark over hurdles here. With good form in the book finishing 5th, 7th and 5th behind the likes of Sir Erec, Carlo Biraghi and Konitho respectively shes feasibly chucked in here. If she were a Mullins or Elliott trained inmate rather than Mick Mulvany she’d be 11/10 or even odds on. I’d urge people to get stuck in and take the 3s as it’s going to look a crazy price when she goes off a well backed favourite and absolutely bolts up.

The card concludes with a 16 runner Handicap Hurdle over 2m 4f. Here I expect another bold show from John Ryans FATHER JED 7/2. Anyone who follows the blog will have fond memoris of this one having won at 25/1 last time over course and distance, with some lucky enough to have gotten 40’s. He’s only gone up 5lbs for that win and that shouldn’t hinder his progression too much. He put two good runs together previously when gracing the winners enclosure so here’s hoping lighting can strike again. In any case I expect him to go very close. If it’s an eachway bet your looking for then CEATHARLACH 10/1 (EW) is one I can see running well. This will be just his second run in a handicap. The first was on the back of a break on bad ground at Limerick over Christmas. I expect him to come on plenty for that and he’s been dropped 2lbs from the handicapper. Another positive is the booking of Rachel Blackmore in the saddle for the first time. She’s currently chasing the Champion jockeys title and I’m fairly sure the fact she’s going to get the leg up on this one I indicates to his chances here.

Here’s hoping for a change of luck from what we’ve been experiencing lately with plenty having run well but failing to win. Be lucky!

“Diligence is the mother of good luck.”

On Sunday Punchestown puts on a stellar National Hunt card which features a Listed Novice Hurdle as well as a Irish Grand National Trial. Let’s get stuck into the action.

The day begins with a Cross Country race, which features a number of horses who we will be seeing again over the banks at Cheltenham next month. Every dog on the street seems to be tipping Ballycasey for the Cross Country at the festival in the past week but I’m not conviced at all. Here I’m more than happy to go with the tried and tested in the shape of JOSIES ORDERS 7/4. Look all these plot jobs and all these horses that go over to Cheltenham schooling round the course can’t all win and we hear about the likes of Ballycasey and a big deal is made about it. But he’s not the only one to have paid a visit to the track getting his eye in over the winter. Anyway Josies Orders is proven over and over again over these obstacles and round this course. He has Mark Walsh in the saddle and I don’t see any outcome here other than a Josies Orders win. There may be some eachway value elsewhere in one of Peter Mahers runners but hey we all love backing winners, so just back Josies Orders and collect.

Next up at 2:20 is a Listed Novice Hurdle and I’m going to side with the Willie Mullins trained PRINCE D’AUBRELLE 11/4. This horse is a three time bumper winner in 2015. He had a long time off the track then until he won on his first go over hurdles at Tipperary back in May 2018. He hasn’t been seen since then but he’s had plenty of entries and I’d presume that they have just been waiting for some ease in the ground to run him. Look this horse has had more issues in his career than we could probably imagine, but the fact they have persevered with him all this time hints to his ability. Chosen Mate is the likely favourite and while he won impressively on his racecourse debut he drifted like a barge that day from joint favourite out to 14/1 so that was alarming and probably hints at how shocked connections would have been with the manner of victory. The quality of that maiden hurdle would be weak to say the least and with that for me he’s a weak favourite well worth taking on.

The 2:50 is a Maiden Hurdle over 2m 4f with 22 runners set to go to post. DISCORDANTLY 4/1 (EW) gets the nod here eachway. Look plenty people will crab tipping a 4/1 shot eachway but look, for any recreational punter holding your own and getting good value for money out of your bets should be paramount and any profit after that should be a bonus and he’s an eachway bet to nothing. He ran very well last time to finish a close 3rd in Navan. But possibly most eyecatching is his 3rd two starts back behind Fakir D’oudaries at Cork, who’s now a leading Triumph Hurdle and Supreme Novice Hurdle hope from thE Joseph O’Brien yard. The Harrington yard has been in the winners enclosure in recent days and I wouldn’t be surprised to see market support and this one going off favourite on the day. Another with strong form worth keeping an eye on is Martin Brassils Take Revenge who finished 2nd to Grade 1 Bumper winner Tornado Flyer last time in a maiden hurdle.

The fourth race of the day is a 3 mile Handicap Hurdle with another big field going to post. I was really taken by the run of TREACYSENNISCORTHY 10/1 (EW) at Navan last time out and he runs here off the same mark. The winner that day Askari had the services of a 7lb claimer and went up 9lbs for the win. Next time Askari with Davy Russell in the plate and carrying 16lb more than at Navan he went in again, bolting up by 11L in Tramore from a subsequent winner. The yard have been going very well since Christmas, with winners and others running well in defeat at all the big meetings and Paul Townend booked, I expect this one to go very very close!

The 3:50 is an ultra competitive Rated Novice Chase with plenty quality on show. DR MIKEY 5/1 (EW) looks a decent bet here at the prices. He will have loved the sign of a drop of rain the last few days and he’s one of few in this race you can actually rely on. Impact Factor hasn’t really taken to fences and has been repeatedly let down by his jumping. Aside from him next in the market is Riders On The Storm who is a proper looker and travels like a dream in his races but isn’t one to knuckle down for a battle. The same can be said for Monatomic. With lots of these constantly looking to throw races away rather than win, Dr Mikey is a dual bumper winner, dual hurdle winner and a beginners chase winner beating A Plus Tard giving him 6lbs. He was the best of these over hurdles too with a rating of 140. I think it’s pretty simple that he has to be the bet. He will try make all up front out of trouble and it’s up to the rest of them to try reel him in. For me hes the most likely winner.

The penultimate race on the card is an Irish Grand National Trial and for me JP McManus and Paul Nolan hold the ace card here with FITZHENRY 5/1 (EW). This horse was last seen running a stormer to finish 3rd in the Paddy Power Handicap Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas. He’s never run over a trip this far before but I’ve no doubts in that regard that his stamina will hold out. He’s been a model of consistency over fences over shorter trips than this. If you were to have one complaint it would be that he hasn’t won as often as you might have expected but I really believe this trip will bring the best of out him. He races off 10st 2lbs and with Paul Nolans string arguably being in the best form it has been for the last decade, I just can’t ignore the obvious with Fitzhenry here. If your looking for an eachway play at a big price with 5 or 6 places on offer with some major firms AGENT BORU 20/1 (EW) could be well worth a bet. This horse has always been crying out for a trip and a real test of stamina which he will get in spads here. He’s been running over inadequate trips thus far over fences but this really sparks my interest. He’s running from 4lbs out of the handicap here but he’s only carrying 9st 10lb with Jonathan Moore on board and I can certainly see him getting involved for a place after a really solid run last time when he was just tapped for toe in the finish.

The closing Bumper is a race that’s up for grabs with plenty of those with experience not setting a very lofty level for the rules newcomers to get up to. I’m willing to take a chance on REASONABLE DOUBT 8/1 (EW). While he has had a long time off the track since making a winning debut in an Irish point to point, he had a 130s hurdler in behind him that day with plenty of other winners emerging out of the race too. While you’d be a little worried about such a long absense, on the positive side the yards runners aren’t running too badly and Liam Gilligan takes off a valuable 7lbs. At the prices he’s worth chancing eachway with my thinking being he has a possible class edge on these and I’d be confident of a good run.

“Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forward” – Soren Kierkegaarde

Saturday is a big day for Naas Racecourse and they go front and centre on ITV Racing. With the BHA cancelling all British Racing until further notice it’s down to Naas to give the Brits an auld dig out, in what is a momentous day for the Irish track. What are neighbours for? Here’s hoping all goes well and with any luck it won’t be the last we will see of ITV Racing broadcasting Irish Racing live! Call me selfish but I think it would be beneficial for everyone should they come back next weekend for the Red Mills Chase at Gowran Park to see Gold Cup favourite and peoples horse Presenting Percy have his final prep for Cheltenham, in what could be the greatest ever renewal of the race. More on that some other time. Let’s crack on to the Saturday action!

Race one is a non event so why waste anyone’s time on this CITY ISLAND 1/4 can’t be beat. It’s just a matter of him getting around. He probably has somewhere between 20-30lbs in hand. He’s one for the weekend acca I suppose but if your a compulsive gambler and have to have a bet SEEYOUINVINNYS 20/1 (EW) is probably worth a bet but only for small stakes. There are places up for grabs here and one would expect the Noel Meade inmate won’t be wanting in the fitness department and with natural progression I’d fancy him to sneak a place at a decent price.

The second race on the card is the first division of the 2 mile maiden hurdle. While plenty of people have already given up on DEBUCHET 2/1 by now but I’m willing to give him another try. Look he’s the class horse in the race having finished 2nd in a Champion Bumper at the 2017 Cheltenham Festival. There isn’t another single horse in the race capable of rivalling that level of form. His hurdling career hasn’t gone to plan so far but it’s not all been bad. He finished 9th in last seasons Supreme Novices Hurdle and the last twice he’s taken on City Island who runs here in the first and Grade 1 winning Novice Quick Grabim. Should he be anywhere near his best he will put them all to the sword with a dominant front running display. Best of the rest, if you’d rather back something eachway is DROP THE ANCHOR 10/1 (EW). The Pat Fahy inmate won his bumper at the second time of asking in Listowel and followed that up with a decent 6th on his hurdling debut over 2m 3f. He travelled really well that day to the turn in but was found wanting in the final two furlongs. That said the drop back in trip here looks ideal and with a strong pace looking sure to be set by Debuchet, this could really set up for him. The one cause for concern is the Pat Fahy stable form as Pat has publicly stated that he has worries over some of his string but I wouldnt think for a second that he’d be running Drop The Anchor here if he didn’t think he was 100%.

Division two of the same maiden hurdle goes to post at 1:40 and this is the first race live on ITV. Here I find it hard to get away from the likely favourite ALL FOR JOY 11/4 who finished 2nd on all five starts in bumpers. While some people will have problems with that seeming very much like seconditis but I’m going to give him the benefit of the doubt. He’s got in some proper battles with some decent sorts in bumpers and while coming out on the wrong side of all of them it wasn’t for lack of trying. He won a point to point on debut and has a 4th place over hurdles from Christmas 2017 in a maiden hurdle contested by the likes of Quick Grabim, Paloma Blue and Canardier to name just a few. That form clearly stands out here and it’s my opinion that hurdles are what he needs to get his head infront again. He’s a horse who travels very well in his races and hurdles may just help him get a breather in at key points in his race. Oliver McKiernans horses have been running well of late and I expect All For Joy to go very close. Of the rest YOU CAN CALL ME AL 14/1 (EW) represents shrewd connections and the son of Fame And Glory is closely related to a Group 2 winner on the flat. Edward O’Grady knows the time of day and on pedigree at least this one should be capable of making his presence felt if taking to hurdling. Any market support should be taken very seriously and with the yard in the winners enclosure in the last few days I expect him to be involved.

The 2:10 is a Listed Mares Chase over 2 miles and PRAVALAGUNA 4/7 cannot be opposed. She carries just 10st 7lbs and was the best of these over hurdles. She also has the trip and track to suit even though she would like a bit more cut in the ground, the rain around the last day or two will have helped no end. There are so many negatives around the others be it with Mrs Lovett or Synopsis just not being good enough and some giving away weight to a superior rival. Then you have the likes of Teachers Pet and Bae Des Iles who want much softer ground and a proper test of stamina. Not much more to say but I’ll be shocked if Pravalaguna can’t dispose of these.

The fifth race on the card is a (four year old only) Rated Novice Hurdle over 2 miles. To be honest I could probably make a case for four or even five of these should they come home in front but I’m afraid it may pay to stick with the head of the market again and KONITHO 6/4. I can’t deny I was very taken by him when winning his maiden over course and distance. Both by the manner of victory but possibly more so his physical presence. He’s a big imposing type who will surely make a chaser in time. He seems to have really come into his own since moving to Joseph O’Brien and JP McManus has put his hand into his pocket to purchase him in the last week so you’d imagine he’s been showing plenty at home. It’s a narrow vote but he will get a marginal vote from me just ahead of stablemate Band Of Outlaws.

The 3:10 is a 0-130 Handicap Chase over 2m 4f and it’s an ultra competitive betting heat. You could make a case for four or five in here and still not get the winner. The safest bet here and the selection for me is ASK NILE 10/1 (EW). He’s a point to point, maiden hurdle and beginners chase winner. He’s been rated 134 in the past. He handles all kinds of ground. Most importantly probably he has been running really well lately over hurdles and his jumping is his biggest asset. He’s a brilliant jumper touch wood and has some very decent novice form from last seasn, being beaten just 3/4L behind the now 143 rated A Rated and also finishing 2nd be it well beat by Rathvinden. Track, ground and trip will suit and with his recent form all bodes well for a good run in a race where plenty have questions hanging over them, 10/1 is just too big to ignore.

The 3:40 is a 23 runner Handicap Hurdle over 2 miles and I think it’s fair to say it’s another trappy event where if you ran the race ten times and got ten different results it wouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone. With some of the major firms paying not just 4,5 or 6 but 7 places I am willing to take two here against the field. The first of those is the Padraig Roche trained SHE’S MADE IT 11/2 (EW) who has hit the crossbar on her last three starts. She’s the model of consistency and she looks sure to run well again here. The trip of over 2m 3f seemed to take from her finishing kick last time so the drop back to 2 miles looks ideal. Liam Gilligan takes the ride again and knows her well so here’s hoping she should go very close. The second selection and at a bigger price is GLENDAARS WARRIOR 14/1 (EW) who has been running well of late also without winning. He was 2nd last time behind a well handicapped horse called Breesy Mountain who I believe bar losing his hind legs at the last in Gowran Park on Thyestes Day would have gone in again. The 3rd Hughies Bay ran 3rd again at Thurles on Thursday so the form holds some substance. He’s been a cliff horse for me a bit this season but hes only carrying 9st 12 here and 14/1 looks too good to be true with his most recent form working out so well.

The card ends with a Bumper over 2 miles and here I feel compelled to side with the Joseph O’Brien trained FRONT VIEW 5/4. I fancied this one on his debut in Gowran Park, again on Thyestes Day when he ran into one in the shape of Blue Sari. Blue Sari is now at the head of the Champion Bumper market and Front View went off a well supported favourite to lower his colours that day. Derek O’Connor said after the race that he thought he was going to win turning into the straight and he couldn’t believe how easily Blue Sari went away from him. I’m going to take Dereks word for it and say Blue Sari is a really really smart animal and with it highly unlikely that he will bump into one as good as him again here. Its even more likely he will have come on for his first day at school and with a bit of luck he will get an illusive first 1 beside his name to close an ultra competitive card and send punters home happy.

“Winning is a habit, unfortunately so is losing!” – Vince Lombardi

For anyone engrossed in Irish National Hunt Racing it’s been a long wait from Sundays Dublin Racing Festival to Thursdays Thurles meeting. Here’s hoping for a fruitful day on the betting front so we can add some flesh to the Cheltenham kitty.

The opening race of the day goes to post at 1:10, a beginners chase over 2 miles. EX PATRIOT 2/1 gets the nod here in a race where few have any real conceivable chance. Arvico Blue is very short for what he achieved in getting beat off a mark of 131 in a handicap chase that hasn’t exactly worked out since. While Stooshie ran lacks experience over fences and even tho she more often than not runs with plenty credit she has only won once in 18 starts and that alone is reason enough to let her be. Ex Patriot the best of these over hurdles with a handicap rating of 146 and has two runs over fences in the book. The first of those behind A Plus Tard at Naas before stepping up considerably on that last time to be beaten just over 6L by Cilaos Emery at Gowran Park with that rival now being close to the top of the market for the Arkle at Cheltenham. A reproduction of that run in Gowran Park should be good enough to win this but I can see him stepping up on that perfromance and maybe moving on compete in the handicap ranks at the Cheltenham Festival.

Race two is a Handicap Chase over 2 miles and in an open looking race THE JAM MAN 6/1 (EW) could be the solution to a trappy event. This horse was 2nd last time out over hurdles off a mark of 116 and races here off of 108. While we know the mark shouldn’t be an issue, there are some questions over the likes of the ground and the trip. His previous winning form has come on ground soft or worse and over 2m 4f or further. Why should we back him over 2 miles here? Well hes still just a 6 year old and I believe it’s more a case of not having the opportunities to run on good ground up to press. He’s a horse going the right way and as regards the trip, I thought he showed plenty of boot last time and travelled possibly best of all. At 6/1 your getting a decent price on a horse with plenty in hand on his hurdles mark. Hes a five time winner so we know he has no problem getting his head infront. He has the most improvement in him being so young he’s still getting better and he hails from a yard that know the time of day. All this combines to hopefully a good run and a first win on the board over fences!

The third race on the card is a maiden hurdle over 2 miles. I’m happy to give Willie Mullins mare GREAT WHITE SHARK 9/4 another chance at the prices. This is far from the strongest maiden hurdle on paper. The Willie Mullins inmate had a rating of 85 on the flat when trained by James Fanshawe and translating anything near that kind of form to hurdles she should be more than capable of taking this race. While she was tame in the finish last time on stable debut I’m happy enough to give her another go. She was very keen that day and if settling better and likely improvement to come from her first outing, she is the class animal in the race and 9/4 looks big enough to go in again on her.

Next up is a Rated Novice Hurdle over 2m 4f. GETAWAY JOHN 100/30 looks the bet in here. He disappointed a couple of times on his first two hurdles runs but that was on deep ground at Cork on both occasions. Like I mentioned in a previous blog before he went and won his maiden, while I believe most Getaways need soft ground I do think Getaway John is an exception to that rule. He had to battle hard in the straight last time when breaking his maiden at Fairyhouse but I’d take plenty of confidence from that. It took him a few starts to get wound up last season and I believe he will kick on from here again. This is a very winnable race with plenty having very similar chances like the market suggests. Getaway John is going the right way and I’d be more than hopeful that he will notch up his second hurdles win here and continue the upward curve in his form.

The 3:25 is another Maiden Hurdle, this time over 2m 6f. SPYGLASS HILL 2/1 comes here on the back of a a cracking run at Limerick over Christmas on his handicap debut off a mark or 116 and got 2lbs from the handicapper since then. That was over 3 miles and the drop back 2f in trip shouldn’t be an issue. He’s also versatile as far as ground is concerned and dropping back into maiden company he can put his experience to good use. Likely market leader Castle Oliver won a weak bumper last time and is far too short to be of any interest for me at least. Of the ones at a price PAPAL PRESENT 25/1 (EW) could make his presence felt. This point winner comes here in good form on the back of a 2nd place finish in a winners race between the flags. He was bang there two out that day before making a terrible mistake and that ended his chands that day. The winner of that race has gone on and won again since so the form is rock solid. He comes from again shrewd yard who’s runners in maiden hurdles through the years are often overpriced and over this kind of trip he is well worth a bet eachway at a big price.

The penultimate race of the day is a 2m 6f Handicap Hurdle with a max field of 18 runners set to go to post. In a field of that size I’m going to take two against the field. The first and most obvious of those is CHER WHY NOT 7/2 who has been running with great credit of late, with a 3rd and two 2nds on her last three starts. While she has gone up 6lbs in the handicap since that initial 3rd that’s no cause for concern. She was finishing better than anything last time and more of a conce is probably the slip drop in trip. That said she’s probably the form horse in a race that won’t take much winning and her turn shouldn’t be too far away. If it’s an eachway bet your looking for then FR GILLIGANSVOYGE 10/1 (EW) could be the one with some firms paying 5 places! He ran a very good race last time behind a big winner for the blog in the shape of Father Jed in Fairyhouse. He’s gone up 1lb for that 3rd place finish but that was a marked improvement in form for him and he seems to have found his level at last with everything pointin towards another solid effort.

The final race on the card is a bumper over 2 miles and I find it very hard to see past the Willie Mullins Yeats Gelding AMEN KORNER 6/4. He looks a banker in my book. He’s a full brother to the talented bumper/hurdle winner Augusta Kate and a son of the ultra talented dual bumper winner and unbeaten Grade 1 winning hurdler Feathard Lady. This is a pedigree to die for and Mullins stable form aside if this horse shows just a small fraction of the ability his mother had he’s a cracking bet at 6/4. I’m expecting a top drawer performance that will leave many thinking Champion Bumper when he passes the post miles clear tomorrow evening.

“Excellence is a continuous process and not an accident!”

With the Dublin Racing Festival over for another year, let’s look back on the highs and lows of the weekend along with some Cheltenham Festival hints or even questions.

Let’s start with the Saturday action and the Grade 1 Novice Hurdle over 2m 6f which was won by Commander Of Fleet. Can we take the form literally? Did we see a Ballymore or Albert Bartlett winner? The answer to both those questions in my opinion is no! Why? Well to my eye at least the pace was fast and furious. Take Relegate for example. She was beaten about 7L. Just a head and a head off 3rd so a 3 rather than a 5 in her form wasn’t far away and things wouldn’t look so bad. She was a talented bumper mare but hasnt looked anywhere near as good over hurdles thus far. She was stone last and struggling from a very early stage and stayed on well late in the day but I’d put that down to others stopping more than anything. One of the main protagonists and big potential improvers in the shape of Dunvegan was keen throughout. While he jumped great he was far too keen and looked like a drop back in trip would suit next time. He went out like a light once he jumped 2 out and was found to be clinically abnormal after the race. So don’t lose faith in him just yet. Rhinestone who finished half a lenght 2nd was beaten almost 14L in a Navan Grade 2 over 2m 4f behind Easy Game. Could he really have stepped up so much in the interim? Maybe but I think it’s unlikely. On the day Commander Of Fleet toughed it out well but his maiden form hasn’t exactly worked out to date and I’d be willing to oppose all the front 5, in Grade 1s at least when the Cheltenham Festival rolls around.

The Saturday feature, the Irish Champion Hurdle was won by pocket rocket Apples Jade, who has won Grade 1 races over 2m 4f in the Hattons Grace at Fairyhouse , over 3m at Christmas in Leopardstown and back to 2m here all in just a few months. A feat that can scarcely be believed. But it’s written into Irish Racing folklore now. The most impressive thing however is the winning distances of 20L, 26L and 16L! It takes a proper horse, be that mare or gelding to do something like that and I can’t see it being done again any time soon. I’ll be the first to hold my hands up and say I have been one of those people that haven’t given her the credit she’s deserved up to press. Not only that but I was happy to take her on the weekend. She’s proven me wrong and emphatically wrong at that. With her being vulnerable at 2 miles, especially on quick ground answered for good. While Melon obviously didn’t run his race she beat Supasundae in no uncertain fashion and in my opinion what she did on Saturday is worthy of her not only taking her place in a Champion Hurdle but also being Champion Hurdle favourite! To touch on Melon briefly, he ran very flat, never really travelled with any zest and his jumping left him down badly in the back straight again like it had done at Christmas. This is a horse who last season finished a head 2nd to Buveur D’air in the Champion Hurdle. What’s gone wrong since? You have to look at Willie Mullins stabe form, and yes I know he had a good day at the Thyestes meeting and notched up three winners at the Dublin Racing Festival, buy alot of his runners have been tame in a finish or just generally running below the lofty levels we have come to expect from the Closutton maestro. Maybe Melon just needs something to set him alight, that he’s just gone a bit sour with things and needs something to spark him into life. I’d be willing to try him in a set of cheek pieces in the Champion Hurdle, what have they got to lose? Whatever the case he is miles off the level he’s capable of and it would be great to see him back at the top of his game for the Spring Festivals.

Envoi Allen was a good winner of the Geldings Grade 2 Bumper. Jamie Codd was never far off the pace with him and took it up before the home straight. Envoi Allen battled well enough up the straight on ground plenty quick enough for him to win by a lenght and a quarter. Was this his most impressive performance? No, his Listed win at Navan was probably his best performance inside the rails and that came on the slowest ground he encountered. Is he a Champion Bumper winner? It’s unlikely in my opinion that he will win a Champion Bumper. He’s still learning his trade and looks and real embrionic chaser in the making. I don’t believe he would have the street smarts or the tactical speed to cope with the festival this season on likely good ground. Now if the ground came up soft I may have to rethink my stance but for now I’m happy to take him on.

In the 2 mile Grade 1 Ladbrokes Dublin Chase Min won in facile style, beating Ordinary World and Saint Calvados under a hands and heels ride. I’m a massive fan of this horse and like I said in Saturdays blog I think he’s the best jumper of a fence I’ve ever seen. He reminds me of Sizing Europe how even when he’s wrong at a fence he’s so quick to organise his legs and quick away from his fences. He has scope and pace to burn. If he turns up in the Champion Chase again this season I expect him to give Altior plenty to think about again.

Le Richebourg won this seasons renewal of the Grade 1 Irish Arkle in good style with 7L to spare over stablemate Us And Them, who also chased him home over Christmas. He jumped and travelled with his usual zest and has cemented his position at the top of the 2 mile Novice Chase division. Yes he’s a worthy favourite for the Arkle in Cheltenham but I wouldn’t say that he’s so far ahead of that pack that something won’t be able to give him a race come March. Unfortunately the English raider Knocknanuss for the Gary Moore stable tipped up at the first so we didn’t get to see how the English form stacked up against the main players over here. I guess that might be a good thing in a way we still have that mystery going forward to the festival, even if it was unfortunate for his sporting connections.

Sunday saw plenty non runners due to the unseasonably quick ground on day two of the festival. When was the last time we had Good to Firm in the going description for a jumps meeting in Ireland at any time of the year? Let alone in the first few days of February!

Sir Erec was the winner of the Grade 1 Spring Juvenile Hurdle and the bookies were quick to slash his odds for the Triumph after his 6L win. I wouldn’t be getting so excited about what I saw here though. Mark Walsh who was riding the top rated Flat horse in the field got the easiest lead I have ever seen in a Grade 1 race. He set out to make all his own running at a leisurely gallop and the field surpisingly were happy to sit 4L off him. I could scarcely believe my eyes to watch a quality group race performer from the flat get almost ignored as he trotted leisurely out in front as if only cantering down to the start. He’d have been under far more pressure going up the gallop at home. By the time those in behind woke up they had already jumped the second last and while they were rowing away Mark Walsh was still swinging away infront aboard the favourite. While I do believe we have the winner of the Triumph Hurdle in Ireland I’d be slow to back Sir Erec at the prices.

Klassical Dream came home infront by a narrow margin in the Grade 1 Novices Hurdle. He sat just off the leader throughout before taking up the running on the home turn with Vision D’honneur challenging him early in the straight but it was Aramon, a Grade 1 winner from Christmas who threw down the sternest challenge and looked a winner jumping the last. He was a head up on landing but he didn’t run the straightest course up the run in with Paul Townend at pains to keep him from hanging in onto his stable companion. He was pulled out off the winner no fewer than four times and that haulted his momentum giving Klassical Dream a second invitation that he didn’t need to be asked twice to take. The effort of Klassical Dream was a good one on only his second start for Willie Mullins but I’d be happy enough to say that the best horse on the day finished 2nd. Both have good chances when it comes to the supreme in March but I’d still have Aramon slightly ahead of Klassical Dream, if for no other reason than price.

The Flogas Novices Chase was won by La Bague Au Roi but more than that it was won by Richard Johnson in the saddle. Johnson like Mark Walsh earlier on the card was given an easy lead by his fellow jockeys and rode his rivals to sleep. They hacked round and Johnson stacked them up in behind on the run to the turn into the straight. He had his fellow rivals taking back off heels when he kicked for home and the race was over as a contest. The form is likely worth very little when you take into account that Winter Escape failed to beat home Jetz who he’d given 7lbs and over 15L of a beating to the time before. I’d be putting a line through this for future reference as for me it’s not worth the paper it will be written on in the racecard.

The Irish Gold Cup saw a decimated field go to post of just 4 runners due to the ground conditions. The race bar the close nature of the finish was equally unsatistfying with initially Ruby making the running at a slow pace on Bellshill. Road To Respects jumping seemed to be suffering as a consequence so turning down the back for the last time Sean Flanagan decided to take the bull by the horns. Unfortunately Road To Respects jumping didn’t improve and was continually out jumped by Bellshill. Flanagan was the first to commit for home and went over a lenght up on the run to the last only to be run down in the shadows of the post by a nose. While it’s great for connections to have Irish Gold Cup winner, I wouldn’t get carried away with the form come Cheltenham with far bigger fish such as the Gold Cup winner in waiting Presenting Percy lurking in deeper waters.

The last race to touch upon is the Grade 2 Mares Bumper that closed the curtain on the weekends action. While it was a Grade 2 in name only by the looks of it, I wouldn’t be quick to write off the winner Santa Rossa wherever she goes. Like on her debut she was keen throughout with her jockey Finny Maguire commenting afterwards that he thought she hadn’t a hope of getting home. She’s a tough gutsy mare though with pace and a touch of class. When asked on the home bend to quicken up and make space for herself to move out off the rail she was brave. Once she got herself organised with others seemingly travelling better she quickened up to go on a furlong from home and hold all comers on the run up to the line. This was a victory for a small yard on one of the biggest weekends in Irish Racing. I couldn’t be happier for Dermot McLoughlin and connections and more so I hope she continues to improve and who knows for now at least the dream is still alive. She has options for the rest of the season with Sandown the weekend before Cheltenham or Aintree in April. Then again who knows, when you have a mare who’s two from two with one of those a Grade 2 victory and you come from a small yard why not tilt at windmills and go for the Champion Bumper? She will get 7lbs off the Geldings and while she will be a big price I wouldn’t like to totally write her off.

Finally probably the lowest point of the weekend was losing Special Tiara to a fatal injury that he picked up early on just past the stands. He was a multiple Grade 1 winning chaser. The hilight of his career came in winning the 2017 Champion Chase. His bold front running style and flamboyant jumping endeared him to racing fans on both sides of the Irish Sea. He will be sorely missed in the top 2 mile chases for the remainder of the season. But I’m sure come Champion Chase day in March he will be galloping across the clouds over Cheltenham. With the rattle of his hooves echoing like thunder, saying catch me if you can!

“They say you die twice. One time when you stop breathing and a second time, a bit later on, when somebody says your name for the last time.” – Banksy

The opening day of the Dublin Racing Festival was a good one for punters with the big four Apples Jade, Envoi Allen, Min and Le Richebourg all scoring in good style. Let’s hope tomorrow will bring more of the same!

An eight race card gets underway at 12:40 with a Mares Handicap Hurdle over 2m 2f. CUT THE MUSTARD 6/1 (EW) comes here on the back of two solid runs. Two starts ago she flew home in a €100,000 handicap at Fairyhouse over 2 miles when she made a mistake at the last and flew home to be beaten almost six lenghts. Last time she finished 2nd here over Christmas behind Jetez again over 2 miles and she got a 3lb rise for that effort. Another big run looks forthcoming here with the extra two furlongs a real positive. With a few of the major firms offering 5 places eachway it’s well worth taking at 6/1 but I’d personally be surprised if she can’t win this with a bit to spare. If a 6/1 Willie Mullins horse near the top of the market isn’t for you and you want something at a bit of a price it may be fruitful to take a risk with Liz Doyles ONE FIRST CUT 33/1 (EW). This mare was 3rd last time out in Cork just 3L behind the well fancied Court Maid. She travelled well for a long way that day and maybe just got stuck in the ground a bit. Court Maid has gotten 6lbs from the handicapper for that win while One First Cut has been dropped 1lb. This brings the two a hell of alot closer for me at least. Sean Flanagan takes over in the saddle from 7lb claimer Darragh O’Keeffe. In a way that cancels out the swing in the weights but claimers have claims for a reason and Flanagans experience could be worth a few pounds in a race like this. To summarise Cut The Mustard is one of my stronger fancies on the day and I expect her to get the job done but I do believe One First Cut can outrun her odds and surprise a few.

Race two kicks off the Grade 1 action for the afternoon with the Spring Juvenile Hurdle. There will be alot of hype surrounding the high class Flat recruit from Ballydoyle in the shape of Sir Erec who won his maiden here on the first attempt over Christmas. After his maiden win he was catapulted to the head of the Triumph Hurdle market for the Cheltenham Festival but I see plenty reasons to take him on. Sir Erec is a big horse with an action which suggests to me he would like a cut in the ground. He certainly didn’t look a natural over his obsticals and I wouldn’t think he was far off peak fitness having been on the go until the bitter end of the Flat season. TIGER TAP TAP 5/2 who was a neck 2nd to Sir Erec over Christmas gets the nod to improve past the favourite. He hasn’t much ground to make up with the favourite on their previous run here and he was coming off a 202 day break. I’d imagine he will have improved plenty for the run, but the thing that really draws me to him was the way he jumped and travelled that day. He was wide throughout but his jumping was fantastic and he travelled into the race like a horse with a touch of class and plenty gears to boot. Sir Erec ground out the result on the day, probably down to being more streetwise and battle hardened from his career at a high level on the flat. It’s all a game of opinions and while Sir Erec is entitled to improve too I’ve a feeling Tiger Tap Tap could be ready to set the division alight tomorrow.

The Grade 1s come thick and fast here and next up is what’s essentially our last Supreme Novice Hurdle trial. We have two horses here at the top of the market coming into the race off the back of maiden hurdle victories. That’s form worth taking on in my opinion. Klassical Dream beat Vision D’honneur here in a maiden hurdle over Christmas and that form looks reasonable but only reasonable. Vision D’honneur came out since and won a maiden around Punchestown beating Elixir D’Ainay who would be entitled to get alot closer to him here if not reverse form with him in my book. The form of that maiden hasn’t worked out well with the 3rd, 4th and 5th all coming out and being well beaten since. For that reason I feel Vision D’honneur may not even have stepped up much from Christmas. All that aside I’m going to side with ARAMON 9/2 (EW). Let me tell you why. Aramon has plenty people queuing up to knock him but to be fair to him he hasn’t done a whole pile wrong. He’s been progressing all season and while he was beaten in the Royal Bond that was off a slow pace and he made a bad mistake at the last that day. His run here over Christmas was frightening honestly. That day he beat Sancta Simona, a mare for JP McManus and Willie Mullins that I have been shouting from the roof tops will win the Mares Novices Hurdle at Cheltenham since May. Aramon came to challenge her going to the last at Christmas and flew away from her to score by no fewer than 10L. Most people don’t want to believe a Kilbeggan maiden hurdle winner could lead our charge for the Supreme but he has to be number 1 candidate for now at least. That performance may have been too good to be true but until proven to be the case and 9/2 just too big, I’m willing to put some hard earned on the line to find out.

The 2:25 is a Handicap Hurdle over 3 miles and the form line I’m going to follow for this is from a Grade 2 Novice Hurdle at Limerick over Christmas. I have no doubt in my mind that with a clear run PLEASURE DOME 5/1 (EW) would have won that day but got trapped on the rail with nowhere to go most of the way up the straight. She comes here on what looks a lenient mark of 130 and a reproduction of her Limerick run off that kind of mark should see her far too good for these. In Limerick she was ridden to see if she could stay but with staying no longer a doubt they will be able to ride her more handily here making traffic and luck in running less of an issue. At a bigger price CAP YORK 25/1 (EW) really does look over priced for a horse that is 5lbs better off at the weights with Pleasure Dome for finishing just 3L behind her in Limerick. He’s obviously a horse that has had his issues to get to the track but in his two runs this season he looks like a horse that can for sure make his presence felt in a race like this. The better ground will help him here and if only on the grounds of the price being totally wrong he has to be a bet at 25s. I’d be happy to have a punt on him at half that.

At 3:00 possibly the most hotly contested Grade 1 of the weekend goes to post with all the main Irish protagonists turning up and even a rare visitor from the UK in the shape of La Bague Au Roi. Delta Work will be a hot favourite but I’ve plenty reasons in mind to take him on. He didn’t convince me entirely at Christmas with my suspicion being he would rather more of a cut in the ground. That was over 3 miles and he’s dropping back to 2m 5f here. I know he won the Drinmore over this kind of trip beating Le Richebourg earlier in the season but the ground was probably slower then than it is right now. That’s a strange thing to be saying in February but it’s true. While Le Richebourg has won two Grade 1s since over the minimum trip I still wouldn’t be convinced that the Drinmore form is rock solid. I suspect even with a mistake at the last in the Drinmore Delta Work simply just out stayed Le Richebourg that day and the 3rd Jetz has left the form down since. People by now know I’ve a massive opinion of WINTER ESCAPE 6/1 (EW). Giving 14lbs and over 2L of a beating to A Plus Tard last time was a phenomenal performance in my book. This horse is a credit to Aidan Anthony Howard as a trainer. He’s had plenty issues in the past but always had a lofty reputation when with Alan King and Howard seems to have found the key to him. It’s great to see a small yard get this kind of animal and I truly hope he can steal the show at the Dublin Racing Festival tomorrow and land a first Grade 1 for the yard. I previously said if Winter Escape could give 14lbs to A Plus Tard then he was a certainty for the JLT. I just hope he can go and prove me right now and this is the last step before a Cheltenham Festival assault in March. Fingers crossed he can do the business!

The Irish Gold Cup is next up and there are plenty horses in here with questions to answer. One you can set your watch by however is ROAD TO RESPECT 9/4. This horse has been the most reliable, consistant staying chaser of the last 3 seasons. He’s a multiple Grade 1 winner, will handle the ground and his jumping is as sound as it comes. He was fiercely unlucky over Christmas being hampered after 3 out and slipping on the turn out of the back. With the others having doubts over their form this season, the ground, the trip, their jumping, going right handed or just simply being up to this level, Road To Respect looks a real solid bet.

The penultimate race on the card is a Handicap Chase over 2m 5f. I’m going to go with two selections here against the field in what is as you’d expect a competitive handicap chase. First to touch upon is VIOUX MORVAN 9/1 (EW) who saves all his best performances for around Leopardstown. He was 2nd in this race off a mark of 133 last season and is 8lbs higher now. He ran a stormer in the Paddy Power here over Christmas just seemingly getting tired from the last home to finish a very good 2nd on the day. That was over 3 miles and half a furlong so I suspect the drop back in trip will be right up his street. Add to that the excellent form of the Joseph O’Brien string and there are plenty of reasons to believe another bold show around his beloved Leopardstown is on the cards. Another bringing form from the Paddy Power is FITZHENRY 14/1 (EW) for JP McManus and Paul Nolan. Nolan had a winner here yesterday and 2 more in the last week at Down Royal and Naas. This is a yard that wouldn’t have the biggest string so a flurry of winners like this is worth taking note of. He was 3rd in the Paddy Power and is gone up just 2lbs for the run. Most noteworthy possibly though is again here like with Vioux Morvan is the drop back in trip. Fitzhenry has won twice inside the rails before in his career and both those victories came over two and a half miles. This drop back in trip looks like it could really suit and with the aforementioned stable form you could do alot worse than having a wager on Fitzhenry with Barry Geraghty in the plate.

The final race of the Dublin Racing Festival is a Mares Grade 2 Bumper. It’s fair to say that the race is just about as weak a Grade 2 as you will find anywhere and there’s a serious opportunity for three of these to steal some black type for the breeding shed. In my eyes there is only one bet in this race and that’s the Dermot McLoughlin trained SANTA ROSSA 100/30. For me there is no question but Santa Rossa should be favourite and a short priced one at that. As those who follow me know all too well we were on at 50/1 on debut and her run didn’t reflect her lofty odds. The way she travelled that day she oozed class. She was in Mark O’Hares hands the whole way and got squeezed up turning for home. But when she was asked to quicken up, she simply came alive and powered clear up the straight in spite her greenness. With a likely strong pace to aim at and some experience under her belt now she should settle better here. I can’t see anything travelling better than her turning in and when Finny Maguire presses the button I fully expect her to leave the rest in her wake and power away from the field. It will certainly take a good one to go with her!

I will finish with a quote for Santa Rossa…

“Show class, have pride and display character. If you do, winning takes care of itself!” – Bear Bryant

The Dublin Racing Festival gets underway at 12:50. Not a moment too soon for anyone with the drug that is National Hunt racing pulsing through their veins! The quality of racing all season has been well down on previous seasons in terms of strength and depth. Even the top level chasers more so than hurdlers have been scarcely seen due to the adverse ground conditions playing havoc with entries week in week out. Even handicap races like the Ladbroke Hurdle over this weekend for example had max fields going to post of 28 last season, has just the 15 going to post this time around.

Enough of the waffling on from me! Let’s get stuck into the most competitive and highest quality days racing we have seen so far this season either side of the Irish Sea.

Like I alluded to earlier the opening race of the festival goes to post at 12:50. A Grade 1 Novices Hurdle over 2m 6f with 16 runners set to go to post. It came as a surprise to many that Grade 1 winner and Irelands leading Ballymore Novices Hurdle hope Battleoverdoyen doesn’t run here. That said it certainly presents us with an ultra competitive renewal of the race and it looks wide open. DUNVEGAN 5/1 (EW) gets the nod from me here to retain his unbeaten record over hurdles. The Pat Fahy charge won at Fairyhouse in December. He easily brushed aside a smart field that day, with the 2nd and 3rd winning since. While his two main market rivals fell and were brought down at the last that day, he was well in control of the race and was always holding them in any event. This horse is the apple of Pat Fahy’s eye and he’s a man you have to take very seriously when he says he has a nice horse on his hands. In the lead up to this race he has said “We think he’s a serious horse and this will tell us where we go. I think he’ll make a brilliant chaser down the line but this is very much D-Day as far as hurdles are concerned”. Strong words from the trainer and I for one won’t be backing against him. At 5/1 he looks at least an eachway bet to nothing with some firms offering as many as 4 places, so shop around for the best offers on the day. One at a bigger price to keep an eye on, for those of you looking for something at a big price COME TO ME 14/1 (EW) certainly fits the bill. He made a very taking hurdling debut at Cork in December, absolutely bolting up by 17L. He looked well above average that day and while he disappointed last time out at Naas I’m willing to forgive him a poor run at the prices. Hopefully he can give a few of the ones shorter in the market a fright and get involved for a place at the very least.

The second race on the card is the Irish Champion Hurdle Grade 1. Apples Jade drops back in trip here from 3 miles which saw her perform with such distinction and class over Christmas to the minimum trip of 2 miles to see if she can throw he hat into the ring for a Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. Like alot of racing enthusiasts I’ve been looking forward to this all week, having previously thought it unlikely we would ever see this multiple Grade 1 winning mare back over the minimum trip again. She excels over the intermediate trip of 2m 4f and took her previous 3 mile form to a new level last time. She certainly seems better than ever and if she copes with the return to 2 miles she will be more than a handful for any 2 mile hurdler we have seen in recent years getting her 7lb mares allowance. That said there are enough questions marks surrounding her for me to oppose her on this occassion. The one I’ve come down on is MELON 11/4. While in the past Melon has been a bit of a nearly horse having finished 2nd at two Cheltenham Festivals in a Supreme and more recently a Champion Hurdle last season. He’s a bit of an inigma to say the least. In the past he’s been free when setting his own pace and it didn’t take them long to change tactics and try hold onto him to get him settled as to finish out his races better. At times he’s ran too free and found nothing when push came to shove. They even tried him in a hood which he ended up resenting and took him to the other extreme of not travelling at all in his races. Age seems to have mellowed him and he is becoming evermore professional in his races. While you would have expected more from him over Christmas, it’s easy enough to forgive that run. Willies horses have been needing the run in the main this season, as with many trainers he’s struggled to get a gallop into them on grass. So I’d imagine Melon was a fair bit off peak fitness last time and the race was more about blowing away the cobwebs, with the rest of the season in mind. If it was, then the plan worked perfectly with the Mullins stable landing the spoils anyway that day with seemingly second string Sharjah who had race fitness on his side. Going back to Melon, he has the best 2 mile hurdle form on offer here. I expect a strong gallop to be set by Apples Jade who won’t want to get caught out in a sprint at the business end. A good gallop will suit Melon down to the ground and should help him settle so as he can finish out his race to best effect. I envisage Ruby to be taking a pull up the rail as they turn in. Keeping him covered up for as long as possible. Before spying a gap between Apples Jade and Supasundae on run to the last and skipping away up the run in.

The Ladbroke Handicap Hurdle goes to post at 2:00. We have a stong favourite here in the shape of WONDER LAISH 9/2 (EW). The Charles Byrnes inmate has made an un-Byrnes-like start to his hurdling career winning three of his four starts for a yard who’d be better known for duck eggs before gambles signalling the start of a sequence of wins. The bookies have become more alive to the threat Charles poses these days and rarely take chances with Byrnes runners in handicaps. This horse was campaigned to perfection to buck the trend and he’s improved run to run. He won a Listowel Maiden Hurdle in 2017 before keeping his powder dry and running in Ballinrobe in May. The Ballinrobe run has been the one blip in his hurdling career so far. The handicapper gave him a rating of 119 after two runs and I can only presume Charles was rubbing his hands together. He bolted up in Navan off of 119 for which he got a 17lb whack but that didn’t stop him and he duly went in again having scraped the paint all the way round under an expert ride from Davy Russell. He’s gone up another 8lbs in the handicap since but that may not stop him here. This horse oozes class and his jumping is blink and you’ll miss it. You need a horse who can jump and travel like he does to carry a big weight in one of these handicaps and for me at least he will be bang there at the last again and it’s in the lap of the gods and Davy Russell what happens after that. Should he win here it may well be the end of his handicap days but maybe he will end up in a Punchestown Champion Hurdle at the end of the season and who knows what could happen if he gets there with some of the main protagonists returning with a hangover after Cheltenham. If you want at punt at a bigger price you could certainly do worse than having something on ECLAIR DE BEAUFEU 16/1 (EW) who at one stage this season I had labeled as ungenuine, a horse that would strugged to win a maiden hurdle. That’s water under the bridge now as his win at Christmas in Limerick seems to have made a man of him. He bolted up last time at Fairyhouse and the hope is he can continue his progression here. He is a strong traveller in his races and his jumping has improved run for run. Add to that a weight of 10st 5lb and Jack Kennedy in the saddle and all bodes well for a big run.

The middle of the card here sports a Grade 2 Bumper and it certainly is just what you want in a big bumper on a fantastic weekends racing. ENVOI ALLEN 4/6 has been a real talking horse since he made a winning debut in the Irish Point to Point field last spring. He looked in trouble on his bumper debut back in November but he managed to overcome his greenness to win by 4L in the end. He was far better second time out in a Listed Bumper in Navan and if he can progress again he will be very difficult to beat. That said with the reputation Mt Leinster holds I wouldn’t put anyone off having an eachway bet to nothing on him. He was working the house down at Closutton in the Autumn and while he was beaten twice since, once by the machine that is Malone Road he was still well clear of the 3rd that day. While the run at Christmas might be harder for people to forgive, alot of Willies ran flat over Christmas and if your like me and more of an eachway bet to nothing punter rather than a big bet at short odds have an eachway on Mt Leinster.

The 3:10 brings us to the Ladbrokes Dublin Chase Grade 1 over 2m 1f and here your in for a treat. Sit back and relax and enjoy the show as MIN 8/13 struts his stuff. Min without doubt is the best, most majestic jumper of a fence that I’ve ever seen! His record over 2 miles speaks for itself. Put a line through his run at the Punchestown Festival last season having gone from Leopardstown at Christmas to the Dublin Racing Festival to Cheltenham to Aintree and back to Punchestown. The season just caught up with him. That run aside he has been almost unbeatable over 2 miles. With only Altior passing the post infront of him over the minimum trip, over hurdles or fences and we all know how good Altior is. He can be dropped in off a decent gallop or make his own pace he’s very versatile in that regard. His pace and jumping takes horses out of their comfortzone and he looks set to do that again here. Forget the rest, just focus on Min and enjoy! You can’t go wrong!

The penultimate race on the card in the Grade 1 Irish Arkle Novices Chase over 2m 1f. There is an abundance of pace in this with five of the eight runners having previously made the running. One things for sure, the nut job that is Knocknanuss won’t get it all his own way up front and a race of this nature could just blow his mind. You’d expect there will be plenty pressure applied to him as he certainly wouldn’t want to be given too much rope or an easy lead. But I suspect he will find these waters too deep. With all the pace in the race it should set it up for one that likes to come from off the pace. That will suit nobody as much as it should suit LE RICHEBOURG 2/1 who took the Grade 1 over this course and distance at Christmas in impressive style. While there is more strenght and depth here you’d be forgiven for thinking it will end up with the same result, although possibly not with such a big winning margin. He’s a horse that has improved drastically for the unseasonably good ground and the switch to fences. He’s only tasted defeat on one occasion in his chasing career to date. That was in the Drinmore behind Delta Work who is a Cheltenham Festival winner and so far unbeaten over fences. On all known form Le Richebourg should take some stopping here. If backing favourites isn’t your thing, it could pay dividends to have a little something on DUCA DE THAIX 14/1 (EW). The Gordon Elliott runner made a less than convinving start to his chasing career but he improved with every run and really has seemed to have grown into himself as the season has gone on. It took until his fifth attempt over fences on his first run in a handicap off a mark of 133 to shed his maiden tag but since then he’s really blossomed. He got a 10lb penalty for winning that day but it wasn’t enough to stop him from following up six weeks later in the Dan Moore at Fairyhouse last month. He came there swinging between the last two fences that day before idling up the run in to score. He got a further 8lb hike for that and it makes him joint second highest rated on official ratings in the field behind Le Richebourg, but the market doesn’t reflect that. That’s why for me hes well worth a punt eachway having found the winning thread and showing a few more strings to his bow of late.

The finale on the opening day goes to post at 4:20 and it’s a 0-150 handicap chase over 2m 1f, with 15 set to go to post. There will be plenty of interest around Kildorrery and Moon Over Germany at the head of the market but at the prices I’d be happy enough to let those two run without my money. The play here for me is MIND’S EYE 7/1 (EW) who has competed in Grade 1s already over hurdles and fences as a novice. He has plenty scope for improvement over fences with not many miles on the clock. His runs in Grade 1 company may well be the making of him in a race like this. The step back into handicap company may be exactly what he’s needed. Having come from the Henry De Bromhead school of jumping you will have no worries in that department and he has the services of Rachel Blackmore in the saddle who has proven this season she can mix it with the best in the business. Go back to October when this lad broke his maiden over fences, he had Duca De Thaix in behind him that day and while their progression has seemingly gone in different directions since then I’d be willing to believe a change in fortunes isn’t too far away!

If you’ve managed to make it to the end of this blog then I applaud you, while also questioning your sanity. I appreciate all the traffic through my blog and Twitter feed. While hoping the people who do follow and listen to me find my insight helpful and entertaining. Here’s to plenty winners and an enjoyable opening day at the Dublin Racing Festival!

“When our time on this earth comes to an end, our lives won’t be measured by how many breaths we took. But by the moments that took our breath away!”

After a rather lackluster weekend on the tipping front here in Ireland heres hoping I can get it back on track with some Tuesday winners in Down Royal and add to the January profits.

The card kicks off with a 2 mile rated novice chase with a field of six set to go to post. There are a few in here with questions to answer in the shape of Monatomic who’s had plenty chances in Beginners Chases and looks rather ungenuine in the finish after more often than not after travelling sweetly finds a way to lose. D’bru Na Boinne ran Saturday in Fairyhouse house and after bossing a slow enough pace he didn’t find much for pressure so is easily opposed here also. MY MANEKINEKO 9/1 (EW) ran a decent race to finish 2nd last time in a Beginners Chase around Fairyhouse. Dylrow the winner that day has come out over the weekend and won a Handicap Chase in good style off a mark of 116 again at Fairyhouse. My Manekineko has a mark of 114 and is in a good place at the weights here, especially with Gavin Brouder taking off a valuable 7lbs. He certainly looks the bet to me in here.

The second race of the day is a 2m 4f handicap chase and unlike the opening race on the card we have a decent sized field going to post in this one. I wont beat about the bush here and just skip straight to the selection. PERFECT LEADER 100/30 has got plenty chasing experience under his belt in recent months are after a couple of runs most recently in handicap compay he seems to have found his level. The son of Let The Lion Roar wasn’t without market support last time in Clonmel when 2nd behind All The Chimneys over 2miles. He was never closer than at the line that day and the hope is that the step up in trip will bring out the best in him to bread his maiden over fences.

The 2:15 is a competitive 3mile Handicap Chase. Freeway Space looks set to go off favourite here but she’s coming back off a lenght layoff. While she’s a talented mare on her day and has bags of scope, she has been know to grasp defeat from the jaws of victory more often than not. While she is well capable of winning off of her current mark I wouldn’t have her down as one to put my faith in with my money. SIR ECTOR 16/1 (EW) is a consistent sort and while he may be getting a bit long in the tooth he loves it around here and for me at least is the most overpriced horse in the field. I’d have happily taken 8’s if no bigger had been around. Luke Dempsey takes the ride and with only 10st 8lbs on his back Sir Ector looks to run a decent race and defy old age at the track he loves.

At 2:50 we get onto an 18 runner maiden hurdle. This one is easy for me as there is a mare running in here that I really really like. BLACK TEARS 6/4 has some really strong bumper form from last season, having come up against some really smart types, Colreevy and Barrington Court to name just two. She was just caught on the line last time over 2m 4f by a mareally of Willie Mullins on her seasonal comeback. With that run under her belt and the race experience jumping hurdles, it should make this daughter of Jeremy very difficult to beat!

The fifth race on the card, a Rated Novice Hurdle over 2m 3f is possibly the most intriguing race of the day. It certainly has the highest calibre of horse running all day featuring and most of them are improving sorts with a few of the big owners and stables represented. The one I came down on is PRESENTED WELL 7/2 who has run some very decent races over hurdles this season. While his least impressive run of the season probably came in winning at this course last time, the step up to 2m 3f looks to me as it will help bring out the best of him and with any luck he can make it two wins from two visit’s to the track with young Morgans 7lb claim looking a big asset here.

The penultimate race on the card is a 14 runner mares handicap hurdle and it may well be worth siding with Michael Mulvanys LATOYAH OF NORTH 4/1 (EW). She was 2nd last time in Naas behind Mystique Heights in what was a better race than this. Jack Kennedy takes the ride today and I take that as a signal of intent from the connections. She looks poised to go very close for her trainer who’s had a twelve months to remember under rules both flat and jumps.

The closing race is a bumper over 2miles and will most likely come down to a battle between the two horses at the head of the market. The favourite Andy Dufrense was a €330,000 winning pointer and represents top connections in JP McManus and Gordon Elliott and hopefully in time can make himself into a really top jumper. But I’m set to side with the one in here with track experience in the shape of GOLDEN SPREAD 9/4 who was 3rd in a Galway bumper back in July and the 2nd that day has proven himself to be a smart sort in his starts since placing in and winning subsequent bumpers. The experience around a track like Galway should have made him more street smart and I hope he can put that to good use here.

“The only exercise I get is walking to the betting office.” – Sir Peter O’Sullevan

A stellar National Hunt card is held at Naas tomorrow with at least a few likely Cheltenham clues on offer in and amongst the action.

The first race goes to post at 1:20, a juvenile hurdle over 2 miles and it wouldn’t be beyond the realms of possibility to say it won’t take very much winning. That said it may be worth having a bet on the Willie Mullins trained newcomer RUNRIZED 7/2 who is a son of Authorized. This French import is just the kind of horse Mullins has thrived with in recent seasons and I’d be hopeful that he could at least deal with those with experience and make a winning start over hurdles.

The second race on the card the Limestone Lad Grade 3 Hurdle over 2miles is a high quality affair even though there is only a field of five runners going to post. ESPOIR D’ALLEN 11/10 looks a cracking bet at odds against as in my eyes at least he was the top Juvenile Hurdler on both sides of Irish Sea. He is two wins from two runs already this season having taken care of Stormy Ireland in no uncertain terms at Limerick last time with a potent turn of foot. He may not be eveyones cup of tea but I make him a live outsider for the Champion Hurdle and if that is to be the case he has to be winning this nicely.

The third race on the card is a Grade 3 Novices Chase and we for sure have some Novices in here who will be heading for the Cheltenham Festival with Graded and Handicap winning ambitions. Shady Operator beat Ballyward last time but I expect that form to be turned around in no uncertain fashion here. Shady Operator had race fitness on his side that day and just nabbed Ballyward late on after he’d idled infront when looking all over a winner on the day. Having said that neither are the selection. CHRIS’S DREAM 7/2 was turned inside out on his arrival last season to the Henry De Bromhead yard having looked fairly ordinary in multiple starts for Eugene O’Sullivan. De Bromhead actually got such a level of form out of him that he went off as one of the favourites for the Albert Bartlett at last season Cheltenham Festival. He made a lovely start over fences in Navan over and inadequate trip on ground faster than ideal and he looks sure to make his presence felt here in a big way! Another with an eachway chance is DISCORAMA 10/1 (EW) who last season finished 2nd in the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. He made a taking chase debut around here earlier in the season before a rather disappointing run upped in grade in the Drinmore. In his defence the trip was on the short side especially on quick ground and he will for sure appreciate every extra yard and the softer surface here. Delta Work and Le Richebourg have both franked the form since and he should at least be one to make the frame and seems underestimated in the market.

The fourth race on the card is a maiden hurdle over 2m 3f and ENVIOUS EDITOR 4/1 (EW) looks at the very least an eachway bet to nothing, but I see him as big value as I’d have still been interested in him had he been half the price. He was beaten last time by a rallying Eclair De Beaufeu at Limerick over Christmas who has franked the form in no uncertain terms since then in his first handicap where he bolted up by an eased down 5L off a mark of 121. That makes him a mid to high 130s horse with plenty more scope for improvement. Looking at form like that in the book Envious Editor must surely go close here at a generous price.

The 3:20 is a 2 mile Handicap Hurdle and looks a highly competitive affair. BALLYNEETY 5/1 (EW) ran a stormer last time behind the progressive Court Maid in Cork, just fading late on having travelled strongly into the race. A reproduction of that run would see him going close here with plenty of improvement likely from this inexperienced son of Milan. Others with chances are the likes of Share The Honour who travelled really strongly at Leopardstown over Christmas before finishing tamely from the last to the line. He will have to improve his finishing effort to be winning a competitive race such as this. Recent two time winner Western Sea looks as if the handicapper has caught up with him now and the form of his most recent win has been shown up a bit in the interim with the 2nd that day Lord Boru being tame in the finish on more than one occasion since.

The penultimate race on the card is a Novice Handicap Chase over 2m 4f and GETAWAY KID 6/1 (EW) looks a decent bet to me in another competitive contest. He’s takend his form to a new level since switching from hurdles to fences, hinting he could well have a decent pot in him somewhere along the line. He travelled like a dream the last twice and seems to really enjoy jumping fences. He cruised into the lead last time before a mistake two out and he hit the deck. His jumping has been pretty much impeccable bar that mistake so far over fences and ill forgive him a mistake last time on account of how sweetly he got to the front. This son of Getaway may well be almost 2lbs higher than his hurdles rating but I’ve no doubt he won’t be stopping his progression over fences just yet and I for one wouldbt be inclined to bet account gains him.

The closing race of the day is a reasonably competitive looking bumper and there are certainly one or two overpriced to have a crack off of. The main bet in the race for me has to be AN FRAOCH MOR 16/1 (EW) who caught the eye on debut at Fairyhouse. Only beaten just over 2L in the finish having ran green in rear early and pushed along in 8th before the straight, this son of Mahler stayed on all the way to the line. The softer ground here, the experience under his belt and the booking for Barry O’Neill can only aid his chances here. The other to keep a close eye on is the Jessica Harrington trained SPOKEN FOR 7/1 (EW) sports the Magnier silks. Finny Maguire takes the ride and has been riding out of his skin in recent months landing numerous bumpers and is a dangerous jockey if let loose on the lead as he has a great clock in his head which he’s proved on multiple occasions. The yard have a great record in bumpers especially when supported so it may well be worth watching the market for a guide to expectations.

“Time is what we want most, but what we use worst.” – William Penn

Fairyhouse sports an eight race card on Saturday so let’s waste no time getting stuck in!

The opener is a beginners chase over 2m 5f and REAL STEEL 11/10 was running a blinder at Leopardstown over Christmas before coming to grief at the last. That run backed up by his novice hurdle form from last season when he was longside at the last at Christmas in a Grade 1 and came to grief once more at the last so this horse have some back class. Not to mention on the bright side it’s not Christmas and the race isn’t at Leopardstown so should the pesky last fence not bring him to grief I see him being very difficult to beat tomorrow.

The second is a handicap chas over 2m 1f and D’BRU NA BOINNE 4/1 (EW) is for me at least an eachway bet to nothing. Ross O’Sullivan trains and has been doing extremely well with the TJ Ward horses given to him in a switch from John Joe Walsh. He seems to have turned those horses inside out and is reaping the rewards now. D’bru Na Boinne was conceding weight to a higher rated rival last time in Tramore when going down by a nose and I’m hoping he can continue his progress for Ross tomorrow.

The third race on the card again is a handicap chase, this time over 3m 1f and I side with Robert Tyners GOTAWAY 6/1 (EW) here to continue both his and the stables good run of form. He won at this track just 11 days ago under an ice cool ride from Philip Enright and won with a bit in hand too. The step up in trip won’t hider him in the slightest and with some of the major bookmakers paying 5 places he’s an absolute certainty to be involved!

The feature race on the card is a Grade 3 Mares Novice Hurdle over 2m 2f and even though the trip is shorter than her optimum ROBIN DE CARLOW 9/4 has plenty experience to her name and has proven herself a really tough customer in her career to date. I’d be willing to forgive her for her poor run last time in Cork as the ground was very heavy that day and for me it’s an impossible task to get into a race from off the pace on that ground around Cork. That said the form has been franked since in any case. Here’s hoping she returns to form and puts Honeysuckle in her place.

Onto the first of some very tricky maiden hurdles now. With no real strong candidates and it’s easy find reasons to take on those at the head of the market it may be well worth to take two a big prices against the field. POSEIDON 50/1 (EW) ran a cracker last time to finish 19L 5th to Vision D’honneur who has Grade 1 aspirations and was made to pull out all the stops by the 2nd. Taking that into account the market seems to have totally forgotten about Poseidon, but I haven’t! Another who may be worth a punt in that same race is DESIGN MATTERS 33/1 (EW) who ran a stormer at the Punchestown Festival last season in a top quality sales bumper his trainer had farmed in recent seasons. A reproduction of anything like that run here would give him a real eachway chance.

The next race on the card another maiden hurdle sees a rock solid favourite in the shape of Henry De Bromheads RAYA TIME 4/5. He has two good hurdle runs under his belt at Down Royal and most recently Leopardstown at Christmas when just over 5L 3rd to a smart novice of Matrin Brassils. He’s been progressing nicely run to run and barring running into a well above average novice again he should be next to impossible to be here.

The penultimate race on the card sees Barry Connells MADDENSTOWN 9/2 (EW) bring the Vision D’honneur form to the table again. Hopefully by now Poseidon will have bolted up but its the discrepancies in their prices in the market that makes Poseidons price all the more surreal. A little over 17L behind Vision D’honneur last time was a hell of a run in my book and I don’t think he even needs to progress to take what looks possibly the weakest maiden on the card. Here’s hoping that form line is all I’m making it out to be!

The closing race is a 3m handicap hurdle and I side with GOODNIGHTNGODBLESS 15/2 (EW) to send punters home happy. This Yeats mare has has been knocking on the door of late. She didn’t seem to be suited all that well by the track at Tramore last time, but back at a more galoping track now she should be more at home. James Motherway has booked a top claimer to take 4lbs off and here’s hoping that claim will sway things in her favour here.

“Creativity is contagious, pass it on.” – Albert Einstein