Day 2 of the Fairyhouse Festival continues today with the feature race being the 2013 Ladbrokes Irish Grand National.
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Here is our preview of all seven races at Fairyhouse today with our tips in capital letters.
It is easy to forgive ZAIDPOUR his disappointing World Hurdle effort last month and improvement should be forthcoming now racing back over his optimum distance. He isn't one to be overly confident about, though, as he's giving weight away all around and has been beaten under penalties the last three times he's competed at Grade 2 level (penalised for his C&D win in the Hatton's Grace Hurdle here in December). Crucially, however, there doesn't appear to be anything of the ilk of Monksland, Bog Warrior or So Young (his three Grade 2 conquerors) today so compensation could be in the offing. Likeable mare Dressedtothenines has progressed in handicaps and is respected now stepped up in grade. Classy chaser Noble Prince is entitled to strip fitter for his last run at Leopardstown and is another to consider.
SARABAD disappointed on her handicap debut at Cork last time but had shown enough in maiden company to think he's capable of getting competitive off his present mark. The uncertainty for the selection, however, is the trip, and if 2m6f proves unsuitable on his first attempt, dual 2m5f winner Unoccupied could pick up the pieces. He's 10lb higher than when romping to victory at Limerick last month but shaped with promise over a stamina-stretching 3m trip at Cork last time and could improve for the return to 2m6f. Vics Canvas and Miss Xian are others expected to be thereabouts.
TENNIS CAP has enjoyed a superb season and backed up his soft-ground victory over this trip at Leopardstown with a solid effort behind Ted Veale in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham last month. The highest-rated runner in the field based on official figures, Willie Mullins representative rates the one to beat. On a form line with the selection through Ted Veale, Sizing Rio is entitled to respect. Mallowney landed a Listed hurdle a shade cosily at Naas last time and also merits consideration along with Supreme Novices' Hurdle sixth Pique Sous.
A trappy betting heat in which the market should be monitored closely for clues. A tentative vote goes the way of VEDETTARIAT, who struck on soft ground over 2m4f at Belharbour on debut and represents last year's winning trainer-jockey combination. Akorakor made a favourable impression when romping his way to a 3m victory at Lismore last month and heads the list of dangers, with Bendanella and Need To Talk others considered.
Magnanimity looks to be rediscovering his form and the presence of Junior at the top means Dessie Hughes' charge can compete under a decent weight. The penalised Navan winner Panther Claw is much further down the weights and must be accorded respect but it looks significant Davy Russell has opted to partner his stablemate SWEENEY TUNES. He was a shade lucky to win a Grade 2 novice event at Naas last month after Mikael D'Haguenet made a bad blunder, but he's certainly on the up and looks a relentless galloper who will really take to the demands of this sort of test. Muirhead isn't badly treated these days and could run a massive race at rewarding odds, while Jacksonslady, Competitive Edge and Goonyella are also worth considering.
The form of CANALY's Clonmel success in February has been boosted by the third scoring since and Dessie Hughes' representative looks feasibly treated on that form now returned to handicap company. He's Our Man revelled in the mud when landing a 2m1f contest at Limerick and also looks weighted to go well as he switches to handicap company, while a 7lb rise may not be enough to halt Hidden Future as he did the job with plenty to spare at Naas last month. Bullock Harbour and Castle Wings also warrant consideration in an open heat.
An 8lb rise for a half-length victory leaves Down Under with no margin for error and it may be best to concentrate on Shattered Dream and ROYAL SAM. Three lengths separated the pair when first and second respectively in a 2m4f beginners' chase at Down Royal last month but the latter is 5lb better off this afternoon and is taken to turn the tables. Zekarya is interesting on his chasing return, having scoring with ease over 2m4f at Limerick when last seen over fences back in January.
An open finale but there is plenty to like about AZORIAN, who built on his point-to-point success with a bumper victory at Leopardstown in February and there should be plenty more in the locker. That comment also applies to Apache Stronghold, who made winning debut in a NH Flat race at Down Royal and should be wiser now, while The Mighty Milan has yet to miss the frame in four starts (one win) and looks sure to have his say again. Eight Chimes is bidding for a C&D double and cannot be ruled out.
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