Fairyhouse Sunday Preview - 28/11/21

That's Life Buoy appears overpriced here for John Patrick Ryan in the Fairyhouse opener.

The runner put in some solid efforts in the summer, finishing runner-up on his 2 opening chase runs before subsequently going off as favourite when falling at Sligo, just as he started make slick progress through the field.

He was again well backed on his return here at Fairyhouse at the start of the month, however only managed 5th, with 3 miles appearing a stretch too far.

It was an interesting switch back to hurdles last time out over an inadequate 2 mile trip, however he certainly left the impression of a horse in good order given how well he stayed on at the finish.

The switch back to fences and upped in trip to a suitable 2m 4f looks sure to suit and he can again give a bold showing.

Fil Dor left the impresssion of being a juvenile hurdler of the highest quality when winning on debut over obstacles last time out at Down Royal.

The son of Doctor Dino jumped superbly, travelled strongly throughout, and won by an eventual 16 lengths, eased down and at a canter.

It's hard to imagine him doing anything but retaining his unbeaten start to life as a jumper, despite the considerable step up in grade here.

Gordon Elliott, in fine form of late, teams up with the similarly high flying Davy Russell on board, and the pairing can assert dominance in a race that the trainer has won twice in the last three runnings.

My Mate Mozzie has already been well touted as a possible contender for the Supreme come March and there's every reason to be on with the hype given he is unbeaten in four runs in the National Hunt sphere.

He's progressed with each run, keeping on well to win his point to point in December by an eight length margin prior to landing a bumper at Punchestown in April, on his first run for Gavin Cromwell since his £205,000 purchase, by a similar distance.

The son of Born To Sea was impressive when turning over odds on favourite Barbados on his first start over obstacles in October, again by 8 lengths, before subsequently stepping up to Graded level last time out at Navan, travelling strongly throughout and easily going best when left clear at the last with his closest rival taking a tumble.

He sets the standard here, will once more appreciate the good ground and has continuously won with plenty in hand; he looks sure to keep progressing and this Grade 1 is certainly an attainable one.

Lifetime Ambition was frustrating to say the least for those who followed his progress over hurdles last season.

The son of Kapgarde failed to win any of his first six starts over obstacles, going off as favourite in four of those runs, placing in all six efforts, finishing runner-up on three occassions.

He finally got his head in front as an 8/13 favourite on his seventh attempt in that sphere at the end of March and followed up with another win at Punchestown in April.

Last time out, on the back of a six month break, he returned with his first run over fences and looked a cracking proposition for the switch to the larger obstacles.

He jumped extremely well throughout that contest and kept on strongly at the finish to make it a straight hat-trick of wins for the runner, beating what looks to be a decent field given the 3rd placed finisher, Vanillier, won a Grade 2 by 26 lengths next time out.

He's now entitled to progress from that run, will strip fitter with the re-appearance under his belt and on form appears to be the one they all need to beat.

The Dabbler has been running to a good standard of late and there's every reason to believe he may still be well in with the handicapper off his lowly mark.

Liam Cusack's gelding kept on strongly to land a 2m 7f contest at Ballinrobe in August and looked to shape once more like an out and out stayer when winning over 3m 1f next time out at Gowran Park, going clear with a Gordon Elliott counterpart by 14 lengths.

He went close last time out for the drop back to 2m 7f at Galway, running a careers best on the RPRs, however just getting outpaced on the run in to miss out by a head.

He appears well worth his chance at the more extreme 3m 5f trip given the manner of his recent runs, holds plenty potential to progress further at that trip, and carrying a miniscule weight of 9 stone 12lbs will bode very well for his chances.

Honeysuckle is an exceptional mare, unbeaten in 12 starts and has won this race on the last two occasions; she holds eight Grade 1 victories.

As always, its hard to see past Henry De Bromhead's runner in this affair and her form when winning the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in March is the standout in this field, especially given that she looked to win with plenty in hand when going six lengths clear at the finish.

The race marks her return from 212 days off the track and this may just open the door, by the smallest of margins, for anyone looking to oppose her.

That being said, she is the clear standout in this field and you can count on De Bromhead having her more than ready for her first outing of the season.

Glens Of Antrim is yet to win over hurdles in five career starts however has ran some solid races in defeat.

Her 2nd placed finish behind Mr Incredible at Naas reads well and she was subsequently a 6th placed finisher at Cheltenham in the Mares' Novice Hurdle, a result much better than what the bare result suggests.

She marks her return here from a 238 day break, is fitted with a first time tongue tie, and has every chance of returning a much better rounded proposition, capable of finally getting her head in front.

Data Breach represents top connections and is trained by Willie Mullins who boasts a 36% strike rate with his National Hunt Flat debutants across the last five seasons.

He teams up with son, Patrick Mullins, whom he holds an impressive 33% strike rate at Fairyhouse under this race code.

Their representative is well related to flat performers being a half-brother to winning sprinter Metal Exchange out of listed winners, and is thereby expected to take to the nature of this race first time out.

He was scheduled to debut at Ballinrobe in May, however was pulled on account of the soft/heavy conditions that day so we can be confident that the better ground conditions will be sure to suit.

Looks to hold the strongest claims here.