Our first runners of the day come from Cork where we have HYGGE and WOLFPACK in the 2m maiden hurdle. Hygge will appreciate the drying ground so takes his chance. Wolfpack has a first time tongue tie but may be better suited to handicaps in time with Jordan Gainford booked to ride.
Next up we have NDAAWI in the 2m hurdle. He slots into this race nicely and a line could be put through his Cheltenham run. Based on ratings he should have a strong case in this race.
The mare’s maiden hurdle is up next where we have ARDEEN JOY and POETIC TWIST. Ardeen Joy may be better suited to handicaps in time but this should be a good experience for her. Poetic Twist will will have run yesterday so all is to play for.
For the first handicap on the card we have OPEN SECRET and COYOTE SPIRIT. Again Open Secret took his chances in Cheltenham the last day but it didn’t quite work out for him. With a bit more juice in the ground he will hopefully fair better. Coyote Spirit was last seen in winning form and looks to extend that under Josh Williamson, his claim should boost his chances all going well.
We have a break to our next runners, SCALPNAGOON and WINGMEN in the beginners chase. Taking his second start over fences we have Scalpnagoon with a first time tongue tie. It might be on the warmer side for him but we have Jordan Gainford in the saddle. Wingmen can be classy and we claim off him with Josh Williamson, he has plenty of experience and can hopefully go well.
Our last runner in Cork is LEMMY CAUTION in the bumper. He has had a few starts now and has hit the crossbar on his last two runs. It is a hard race to decipher with a big enough field.
Our attention will be firmly secured on Fairyhouse where our first runners of the day come in the Ryan’s cleaning maiden hurdle where we have BROTHER WALFRID and NEWBROOK DIAMOND. Brother Walfrid has some jumping experience in the point to point field which will benefit him here especially in such a big field. Newbrook Diamond has first time blinkers as he has hit the crossbar a few times now and will have Danny Giligan in the saddle.
Next up, in the novice handicap hurdle we have MAVERICK MACK and DOCTOR ELVIS. This is another big field where both have plenty of experience. We claim 5lbs off Mack with James Smith while Doctor Elvis has first time cheekpieces and Jack Kennedy in the saddle.
For the first Graded race of the day we have KOKTAIL BRUT. On ratings he should be well in the mix and it looks a wide open race.
In the next Graded race, this time a 2m4f novice hurdle we have GENEROUS RISK and LAZARE DE STAR. Generous Risk won nicely the last day around Leopardstown but his will be a step up in class and will be ridden by Jack Kennedy. Lazare De Star didn’t take the trip to Cheltenham and has some really nice form with Danny Gilligan booked to ride.
OLDSCHOOL OUTLAW was tenacious in Cheltenham on ground that was a bit quick for her and she looks to take on Grade 1 company again. She will appreciate every drop of rain that falls and we have Mark Walsh booked to ride.
Continuing on in Listed handicap chase company we have JIGORO. It was brilliant to see Jigoro score the last day somewhat unexpectedly, he is in good form with James Smith booked to ride claiming 5lbs.
For the feature race of the day we have 3 runners in the Willow Warm Gold Cup Grade 1 chase. JACOB’S LADDER has been on an upward curve lately and skipping Cheltenham will have benefitted him. Jack has been booked to ride. WESTERN FOLD has had a busy season so far but has every chance here with Danny Gilligan booked to ride. Finally we put forward the only filly in the field KALA CONTI. She has plenty of speed about her and the mares allowance will be a big benefit to her. Keith Donoghue has been booked to ride.
Rounding off the day we have CHEMICAL ENERGY in the Hunters Chase. The ground wasn’t suitable in Cheltenham the last day so he takes another try at this level with Harry Swan booked to ride.