Fairyhouse Sunday Preview - 09/04/23

The first selection of the afternoon comes in the Maiden Hurdle over two miles and Ideal Du Tabert for trainer Gavin Cromwell has a big opportunity to break his duck.

Third on hurdles debut over 2m3f at Naas on rules debut not far behind the well backed winner Hands Of Gold, he then went to Leopardstown and finished a good second a nice type for Sam Curling.

What was noticeable that day was the way he stayed onto the line and having gained valuable experience in those decent events he can go one better here.

The first handicap of the afternoon is the Novice Handicap Hurdle over 2m 4 1/2f and the horse that takes the eye is the Lorna Fowler trained Tophill Low.

Running to a fair level in his three maidens before his win last time out, the most noticeable run coming on his second start when chasing home Hunters Yarn.

Last time out at Thurles he put it all together to score by close to five lengths and now handicapping off a mark of 110, he looks well in to double up.

The first Grade One of the afternoon is the Honeysuckle Mares Novice Hurdle over 2m 4 1/2f and although the favourite Ashroe Diamond is respected we have played two against the field.

The first is the Henry De Bromhead trained Magical Zoe who was an unlucky loser at the Cheltenham festival and stepping up in trip will be the making of her.

Unbeaten on her first three starts making her debut in a Mares bumper at Cork in March last year when bolting up, she then stepped over hurdles for the first time and made it 2/2 when winning nicely at Wexford.

In November at Down Royal on soft ground she bought up a hat-trick of wins in a hot Grade Three Mares' Hurdle and having been saved since then for this event she could run a big race.

Saved since then for the Grade Two Mares' Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham festival she had a torrid time round behind horses but when clear powered up the hill to finish a narrow second to You Wear It Well who made every yard.

Getting a clearer run round and the step up in trip should see her go close again.

At a slightly bigger price is the Mullins second string Night And Day that has it all to prove against these mares but from a potential angle could be a weapon.

Catching the eye on seasonal debut this season she ran a superb race when bolting up by 22 lengths at Clonmel on heavy ground in a Maiden Hurdle over 2m 1/2f.

She suffered a small setback that saw her miss the Cheltenham festival and although she steps up in trip, how she visually won on her seasonal debut would make you think there is far more to come.

Another classy race follows with the 2m 4 1/2f Grade Two Paddy Kehoe Suspended Ceilings Novice Hurdle and we are taking a chance on the potential of Parmenion.

Thought to be a superstar when given his debut at Leopardstown on Boxing Day, he had to settle for third behind the talented duo of High Definition and Jetara.

Bumping into another classy horse next time out at Fairyhouse over two miles he was second behind the Gordon Elliott trained Found A Fifty.

Sent back to Leopardstown up in trip to 2m4f, we saw the true Parmenion when bolting up by 14 lengths hard held.

There is much more to come from this horse and the step up to this trip seems to be the catalyst for his progression.

Next up is another Grade Two event with the Cafe En Seine Novice Hurdle over two miles and we think Hunters Yarn can bounce back to form.

He was a decent bumper horse, winning 3 out of his 4 starts, before running a decent enough race on his Hurdle debut, only beaten by a length, before then going on to win with ease on his hurdling debut at Naas last month.

He travelled strongly through the race, making all he pulled clear coming down the home straight. His jumping left little to be desired late on, but he looked to be a bit lonely out in front so that can be excused.

Sent to Navan next time out he made it back to back wins in taking fashion when bolting up by six lengths from the smart Imagine.

Given an English mark of 147 for the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham festival he ran no race but back in Ireland in a smaller field he can resume his progression, with his jumping improving since.

The final handicap event of the afternoon is the Novice Handicap Chase over 2m 1/2f and although top weight Dinoblue, if jumping better is the clear selection.

A very smart mare last season over hurdles when bolting up on hurdles debut at Clonmel before going off favourite for the Mares Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival but ultimately spoilt her chances on the day when pulling too hard.

After that she went to Fairyhouse and finished a good fourth behind Brandy Love and Love Envoi in the Grade One Mares Novice Hurdle and then rounded off her season with another fair fourth behind Party Central at the Punchestown Festival in the Listed Mares Hurdle.

Sent chasing this term she made a stellar debut over the bigger obstacles when winning a Mares Beginners Chase at Cork on soft ground.

Since then she has been seen twice more finishing second to Impervious in a Grade Two Mares Novice Chase at Cork which looks strong form and then was second again when last seen at Naas behind the smart Magic Daze in the Listed Mares Opera Hat Chase.

Given a mark of 140 for the Grand Annual at the Cheltenham festival she looked the winner two out before smacking both the last two fences and somehow not falling she still stayed on for second.

Off the same mark in this race she has the capabilities to go close again, she just needs to jump better but can in what looks an easier race.

The feature race of the afternoon on Sunday is the Grade One Fairyhouse Gold Cup and we are giving another chance to Mighty Potter.

A superstar for connections and trainer Gordon Elliott, being a smart novice hurdler last season when landing the Grade One Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse and although running no race when pulled up in the Supreme he got back to form in a big way at the Punchestown festival when landing a second Grade One the Champion Novice Hurdle.

Sent chasing this season and he has turned into an even better animal, maturing for being a year older and has brushed aside his rivals on all three of his runs.

Making his chase debut at Down Royal in November he made a few mistakes which would have taught him a lot but he still won well.

Sent to Fairyhouse in the Grade One Drinmore Novice Chase he jumped better still making a few errors but dominated at the finish revelling in the distance and soft ground.

Making it 3/3 over fences when last seen at the DRF putting up one of the performances of the week he bounded clear of Adamantly Chosen to win by close to nine lengths.

Sent off as the strong favourite for the Grade One Turners Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham festival it just did not happen form him with Stage Star winning the race from the front.

He might just not handle Cheltenham like he should and back to a course and distance he performs well at he can get back on track.

The final event of the afternoon in Ireland is the Sales Bumper over 2m and Brighterdaysahead for Gordon Elliott looked a superstar on his rules debut.

Sent to Gowran Park in February he went on to bolt up by 13 lengths being a class above the field and having been saved for this since, missing the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham festival, it is hard not to see him go close.