Who To Follow At Fairyhouse On Sunday

Fairyhouse 14:20

Blackbow

Paul Townend

W P Mullins

Age: 9

Weight: 11-5

OR: 151

Days: 297

The feature race of the day is the Dan & Joan Moore Memorial Handicap Chase over 2m1f and we think Blackbow is the value off the back of his past exploits.

Nine year old Blackbow has improved markedly for a switch to the larger obstacles having been an average hurdler but a smart bumper horse.

He broke his maiden under rules when winning well on chase debut last term, beating off some smart horse in Entoucas and Defi Bleu.Subsequently tried in a Grade One that Christmas, he fell early in the race and gave no real indication as to how he stacked up at the top table.

Three starts ago he was well beaten behind stable mate Energumene in a Novice Chase at Naas and then next time out he was third again behind the superstar stablemate at the Dublin Racing Festival.

He was last seen at the Cheltenham festival in the Grade One Marsh Chase when being outclassed on the day but gaining all that Grade One experience he should find this handicap much easier, especially on seasonal debut.

Looks the time to catch him.

Form: 1F336View

Date	Course	Distance	Type	Weight	Position
22/03/22	CLO	20	Sft	11-8	1
27/02/22	NAA	16	Sft	11-1	2
06/02/22	LEO	21.5	Y	11-9	5
09/01/22	FAI	17	Sft	11-5	2
18/03/21	CHL	20	GS	11-4	6

Always the obvious option but Willie Mullins has some huge chances across the day at Fairyhouse and we couldn't just not put him up to be followed.

In the first race of the day he fields Feigh, who does have a race on her hands but if improving could be a big place player.

Brooklyn Glory goes for him in the Mares Maiden Hurdle, but one of his better chances of the day comes from Blackbow in the feature handicap chase, with the gelding dropping from Grade Ones into this company.

The Beginners Chase over 2m1f sees him field Saint Sam on chase debut and El Barra, with both looking to be near the head of the market.

Finally in the bumper, he has Grivei making his debut with son Patrick Mullins in the saddle.

Mullins heads into the weekend in fine form, currently running at a 29% strike rate for the last two weeks managing to land 25 winners from 87 runners.

Gordon Elliott has plenty if big chances across the afternoon at Fairyhouse but Jack Kennedy seems to be on the more likelier chances and for that reason gets the nod.

In the opener he sits on Iberique Du Seuil who does have a bit to find but looks to be progressing and won well last time out.

One of his best chances on the day looks to be Ardhill in the handicap hurdle, up 7lb for his emphatic win at Ascot last time out but is an improving type.

In the feature event he sits on Eclair De Beaufeu who was a nice second over hurdles two starts ago and seems to have been waited on for this event.

Another big chance for Kennedy comes on the Francis Flood trained Millen To One who has a big chance off the same mark as his second last time out.