Easter Sunday Irish Graded Preview - 04/02/21

Cork - April 03 2021
Cork 14:30
1
Mr Derek O'Connor

Castlebrook

J:
 
Mr Derek O'Connor
T:
 
James Joseph Mangan
Age: 8
Weight: 11-2
OR: N/A
Days: 48

Go Another One looks an obvious choice here having ran a blinder in the Kim Muir but that run wasn’t long ago and his best form does seem to come when he is running fresh.

At a bigger price, it may be worth taking a chance on Castlebrook with Derek O’Connor in the saddle.

This 8-y-o is fit from a recent spin over hurdles and some of his chase form stacks up nicely having finished third to Faugheen and Samcro in a Grade 3 event at Limerick.

The drying ground is an unknown but he looks worth a risk at the prices.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
08/01/22COR20Hy11-127
18/07/21TIP19Y11-108
25/05/21BAL23Sft/Hy11-7PU
04/04/21COR24Gd/Y11-25
15/02/21THU20Hy11-27
Fairyhouse - April 03 2021
Fairyhouse 13:50
8
Paul Townend

Echoes In Rain

J:
 
Paul Townend
T:
 
W P Mullins
Age: 5
Weight: 11-5
OR: 132
Days: 35

Echoes In Rain has something to find on the figures here but it is interesting they put her against the boys rather than the Grade1 event against her own sex and Paul Townend chooses to ride.

Her 8l victory at Naas now reads very well with Belfast Banter subsequently landing the County Hurdle a few weeks later and she receives a handle 4lb from Thedevilscoachman, who admittedly looks the pick on form.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
12/03/24CHL20Hy11-5PU
04/02/24LEO16Sft11-54
29/12/23LEO16Sft/Hy11-53
25/11/23PUN16.5Sft11-52
05/11/23CUR16Hy9-62
Fairyhouse - April 03 2021
Fairyhouse 14:20
5
Paul Townend

Gauloise

J:
 
Paul Townend
T:
 
W P Mullins
Age: 5
Weight: 11-9
OR: 135
Days: 17

The majority of this field clashed at Cheltenham so it may well come down to who has recovered best but Gauloise just didn’t run her race that day and she is a clear player on her previous form.

She is bred to appreciate this extra yardage and Paul Townend has chosen to ride.

Joint top rated.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
08/01/22SAN20Hy11-35
29/04/21PUN16Y11-91
04/04/21FAI20Y11-92
18/03/21CHL17GS11-711
08/02/21FAI18Hy11-43
Fairyhouse - April 03 2021
Fairyhouse 14:50
7
Rachael Blackmore

Gentlemansgame

J:
 
Rachael Blackmore
T:
 
M F Morris
Age: 5
Weight: 11-7
OR: 143
Days: 57

Connections will be hoping the decision to skip Cheltenham pays off with this talented grey.

The son of Gentlewave caught the eye behind Gaillard Du Mesnil at Leopardstown and a handful of rivals in that race ran big races at the festival.

The drying ground is an unknown but Mouse Morris holds this horse in high regard and he looks to have a massive future - especially over a fence.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
01/05/24PUN25Gd/Y11-104
11/04/24AIN25Sft11-105
15/03/24CHL26.5Sft11-10PU
04/11/23WET24Sft11-21
30/09/23GOW20Hy11-32
Fairyhouse - April 03 2021
Fairyhouse 16:00
2
Mr P W Mullins

Asterion Forlonge

J:
 
Mr P W Mullins
T:
 
W P Mullins
Age: 7
Weight: 11-12
OR: 153
Days: 17

This previously quirky sort seemed to have straightened up when third in the Marsh at the festival and he may just keep progressing now he has gained some confidence over his fences.

He is a big strapping horse so he was always likely to improve on his already high class hurdles form and Willie Mullins is seeking a hat-trick in the race.

Back right-handed, the one to beat.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
31/03/24COR24Sft/Hy11-01
14/03/24CHL24Sft11-106
28/12/23LEO23.5Hy11-102
26/11/23PUN19.5Sft11-125
20/05/23AUT25.5VSft10-1010