Best Of Bets

Tag: Fairyhouse

  • Four To Follow – Irish Grand National

    Four To Follow – Irish Grand National

    An Easter Monday special as the whole of Ireland heads to Fairyhouse for the final Grand National of the jumps season, the Irish Grand National. Many heroes have been made from this race and have even won Gold Cups and Aintree Nationals. Who will add their name to the illustrious list.

    Baggins?

    2:40 – O’Driscolls Irish Whiskey Juvenile Hurdle (Grade Two) – Its Bilbo @ 9/4 (William Hill)

    Surprisingly, Willie Mullins has not succeeded in this race since 2019 when French made landed the spoils. It always seems to be his eighth or ninth string of juveniles so it’s not worth trusting Blue Lemons. Instead Its Bilbo looks more solid. Broke his maiden on soft ground at Punchestown before finishing fifth in a Grade Two. Then beaten a head last time out, this could be his chance to shine.

    Finally, It’s Mee

    3:50 – Rathbarry & Glenview Studs Hurdle (Grade Two) – Kopeck De Mee @ 5/2 (William Hill)

    Kopeck De Mee has been a funny character since arriving from France. Completely bombed in the Martin Pipe but then somehow rebounded no end to finish a neck second in a handicap hurdle at Aintree. Maybe out of a handicap, Kopeck De Mee can fulfil his full potential after scoring at Listed level in France.

    If the ground let’s down Kopeck De Mee, Lantry Lady is a useful each-way alternative. Won last years Red Mills Trial Hurdle by 9.5L on deep going before finishing fifth in the Mares Hurdle. Was meant to go chasing this year, but that came to a screeching halt when she finished 25L behind Fun Fun Fun. Back over hurdles at an optimum distance she can’t be overlooked. 8/1 (William Hill).

    All Heart

    4:20 – Fairyhouse Chase (Grade Two) – Heart Wood @ 5/6 (General)

    Dropped in grade, no obvious threats from the Willie Mullins yard and finishing second in two Grade One’s this year points to all things Heart Wood in the Fairyhouse Chase. Ground shouldn’t be a problem after beating Corbetts Cross at Wexford on soft ground back in October. He also has a big weight allowance and is one of the highly rated horses in the race. Henry de Bromhead could have a big day in the spotlight if all goes his way.

    Welsh Rare-bit

    5:00 – Boylesports Irish Grand National (Grade Three) – Haiti Couleurs @ 7/1 (William Hill)

    Winning this race for Haiti Couleurs will undoubtedly be one of the stories of the season in terms of how quick and how big a horse can progress. Racing in a class three hurdles and chases all season before hacking up by 4.5L in the National Hunt Chase. Captain Cody and Klarc Kent from that race completed the one-two at Ayr last week in the Scottish Grand National, the form all points in the direction of the Welsh-trained wonder.

    The Irish won’t want the prize heading over the Irish Sea and Daily Present for Paul Nolan will lead the charge of those at an each-way price. Another who won at Cheltenham, narrowly by a neck in the Kim Muir. Interestingly he pulled up in last year’s Irish Grand National off a mark 10lbs lower than today. However, the ground may be more suitable and has made considerable progression this season. 16/1 (William Hill).

    Willie Mullins is never out of the conversation, no matter the race. Sa Majeste may have been one of the more fancied handicap runners at the Festival, and placed a far way behind Daily Present in third in the Kim Muir. However, previous to that picked up a significant three-mile Rated chase win at Fairyhouse. That doesn’t put Sa Majeste totally out of the picture. 16/1 (William Hill).

  • 2023 BoyleSports Irish Grand National: BestBets at Fairyhouse

    2023 BoyleSports Irish Grand National: BestBets at Fairyhouse

    With flat racing season now under way, the National Hunt hunt term is set once more to go out with its traditional April bang.

    As a big week of racing lies ahead, first, the BoyleSports Irish Grand National takes centre stage at Fairyhouse on Easter Monday.

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    Five furlongs separate the two races either side of the Irish Sea, and County Meath’s showpiece could yet give us going pointers for Aintree in a week’s time.

    A race inaugurated over 150 years ago, Dermot McLoughlin has trained the winner for the last two years but can he make it a triple?

    Here are our names to watch who are eyeing a €270,000 payday.

     

    Lord Lariat

    Could the son of Golden Lariat become just the second horse in Irish National history to win in back-to-back years?

    Understandably, we have our doubts over Lord Lariat.

    Though being backed marginally behind market favourite Thedevilscoachman, unlike Noel Meade’s one-year younger gelding, Lariat has little form to speak of.

    But so what. Right?

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    Indeed, his last victory came in this very race 12 months ago and by almost 5L over Frontal Assault, at a massive 40/1 price.

    Finishing sixth in the Rockbrook last month at Leopardstown, Lord Lariat’s record at Fairyhouse in spite of sensational National success, however, is not pretty.

    In 11 trips, the 8yo has taken the winning post just twice, although does have a further two runners-up spots.

    With that said, yielding turf played a big part in his win in 2022 and with the going similar to perhaps soft come the off, a horse for the big occasion scoffs in the face of history.

    He could again at 10/1 with most bookmakers.

     

    The Echo Bay

    At the polar opposite end of the market, McLoughlin’s other ride in the National is 100/1 shot with William Hill, The Echo Bay.

    Normally, we would steer well clear of this sort of SP, not least for the fact the 10yo is getting on and without a win in almost two years.

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    However, given the trainer’s status and after last year’s heftily-priced win, this horse might yet have a shot of placing.

    McLoughlin has won both Irish Nationals at huge prices, with Freewheelin Dylan capturing the headlines at 50/1 in 2021.

    Interestingly also, The Echo Bay does have a Fairyhouse victory to his name in the Irish Stallions Farm in November 2020.

    But could this veteran yet have his day and feature? We wouldn’t rule it out.

     

    Angels Dawn

    Or, could Angels Dawn complete a dream month on both British and home Irish shores?

    Holding off fellow rival here, Stumptown, in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham last time out, Sam Curling saw his ride come home at 10/1.

    Available for a similar price again of 12/1 with BoyleSports, this will be the mare’s second outing at Fairyhouse.

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    In her maiden contest, the 8yo was fifth in the EBF Novice Handicap Hurdle last April.

    If we cast aside Cian Quirke being unseated at Punchestown in February, Angels Dawn has won two of the last three, with a runner-up as her other result in County Kildare.

    Can be a prominent figure.

     

    The Goffer

    As too could the first of a number of hopes for Gordon Elliott, The Goffer.

    Unlike, Angels Dawn, the 6yo’s venture to Cheltenham did not quite go according to plan.

    Nevertheless, despite failing to go the trip, finishing fourth in the Ultima behind the defending Corach Rambler, the impressive Fastorslow and Monbeg Genius was not shabby.

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    Indeed, it could be here that The Goffer has his day.

    The extra distance could again test, but Cheltenham could yet prove a valuable learning curve.

    A winner four times on Irish turf, his Bulmers Handicap Chase victory in February still stands out.

    Beaten by a mammoth 11 length by Ha D’Or on his first visit to Fairyhouse this could just be a different story though and at a handsome 20/1 with William Hill.

     

    Defi Bleu

    Finally, looking for successive wins at Fairyhouse, Defi Bleu appeals at another weighty value.

    A real eye-catcher in winning last year’s Handicap Chase, Gordon Elliott’s 10yo placed well in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham also – behind Angels Dawn.

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    Here, Defi Bleu returns to Fairyhouse for a third trip where he also finished fourth in the Easter Festival some 14 months back.

    Whilst it remains true Defi has won just once in two years, any horse with a prior victory coming into this race has to be taken seriously, certainly no less on the National course.

    For a 25/1 punt with BetUK in a race of big-priced winners before, Defi Bleu could be a revelation.

  • Cheltenham Countdown: Notes from weekend racing

    Cheltenham Countdown: Notes from weekend racing

    As the countdown to Cheltenham 2023 enters its final fortnight, festival fever is percolating nicely ahead of the opening race a week on Tuesday.

    On the back of this past weekend’s racing not only in the UK but across the Irish Sea, it was a Saturday of revelations.

    But what have we picked out that might influence our Cheltenham picks?

    Read on.

     

    Punters should stick to Scriptwriter

    One of the big fails of the weekend was Scriptwriter’s no-show in the Coral Adonis Juvenile Hurdle at Kempton.

    Backed at 6/4f, Milton Harris saw his 4yo struggle in the extra and somewhat unexpected rain that fell last Wednesday.

    Sticking with the field for most of the piece, Paddy Brennan laboured with the Irish gelding over the final fences, fading to sixth.

    Scriptwriter was an assumed close-to-a-sure-thing this weekend and now after successive losses has taken a hit the market.

    But it is worth observing a healthy dose of perspective.

    Even with less than fortnight until the festival, this could yet serve as a pivotal learning curve.

    Yes, the fashion of his defeat has seen his odds lengthened significantly in the SkyBet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle but that shouldn’t deter an e/w bet.

    After all, though back-to-back defeats have been rather chastening, three wins on the spin beforehand are not be sniffed at.

    A full 66/1 with bet365 to open Cheltenham week, Scriptwriter could now be a something of a shot to nothing.

     

    Nusret earns glances for Boodles Juvenile

    With Scriptwriter’s misfortunes, it was JP O’Brien who celebrated his lone victory of the weekend with the impressive Nusret.

    Still a fairly short price for Saturday’s contest at 7/2, a second win of the term along with Daryl Jacob was punctuated by a wonderful leap over the last.

    So impressive a showing, the British 4yo saw his odds slashed for the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle.

    It may be easy to tag along for the ride with this pick at Cheltenham, but his prior two wins have come at The Curragh and Punchestown.

    Nusret has shone on real Irish proving grounds.

    When the juveniles head out for the final race of opening day, this lively colt will fancy his chances.

    Currently third favourite at 7/1 with William HIll, it would be no surprise to see the price for Nusret shorten.

     

    Our Power delivers

    Not to blow our own trumpet, but Our Power was magnificent in the Coral Trophy.

    Having tipped up Sam Thomas’ season debutante, the gelding was smashed up in the markets and went off at 11/2.

    Pushed by an extremely game runner-up in Flegmatik, Sam Twiston-Davies made it three wins from four aboard the 8yo.

    Living up to his name to surge home over the final furlongs, Our Power was a cut above.

    The pressing question now however, is this: how might he fair in the Ultima Handicap Chase?

    Whilst The Goffer and Into Overdrive may be getting a good deal of Antepost attention, this horse has pluck.

    Looking to make it an English successive treble at Cheltenham, Our Power holds a healthy 16/1 punt with Ladbrokes.

     

    Zenta worthy of Novices’ gamble?

    Finally, across the Irish Sea at Fairyhouse meanwhile, one name who might now be finding her way onto our Cheltenham betslip is Zenta.

    A 4/9F winner in the Norman Colfer Winning Fair Juvenile Hurdle, the 4yo was part of a Willie Mullins’ winning Saturday double in County Meath.

    Willie Mullins? Cheltenham? You got it.

    Over the four days in Gloucestershire, Mullins is expected to again romp to Leading Trainer.

    And, of his longer-shot prospects this year, this French filly could just be the ticket for punters.

    Third on debut on home French soil at Clairefontaine, Zenta has now picked up successful wins after a maiden victory at Auteuil.

    Taking the winning post on her first away trip with just three races under the belt, Zenta should be marked for the Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle.

    Yes, the field is stacked in terms of opposition and yes, this is a big step up.

    Yes, Nicky Henderson’s Luccia is favourite and unbeaten in four races; nevertheless, this remains a very open 2m1f.

    Zenta’s current price is mighty intriguing though and a 20/1 shot with Betfair, now could be the time to jump – at the very least – to place.