Fairyhouse Easter Festival: Tasty tips for Irish Grand National day
Published:
David Metcalf | March 28, 2016
To celebrate Irish Grand National day at Fairyhouse’s Easter Festival, Coral horse racing experts look at the other action on a fantastic card.
If it’s the big race you’re after, check out our dedicated preview on the 2016 Irish National, or read on to see what else our tipsters fancy…
Slowmotion ready to cut a dash
Slowmotion shaped with bags of promise when runner-up last time out and can go one better to land the Grade 2 juvenile hurdle that opens proceedings at 14:40.
The filly won impressively on her second start over the obstacles at Auteuil in France, and there was lots to like about her debut run at Navan last month for trainer Aidan O’Brien when a 1/2 length second to Never Again.
Slowmotion travelled strongly throughout at the head of affairs, and was still hard on the bridle two from home.
It looked a case of how far the four-year-old would win by once Mark Walsh pushed the button, but Slowmotion then got very tired on the run-in to be collared close home and beaten 1/2 a length.
The front two pulled when clear of the third home, and it was an effort which suggested Slowmotion needed keeping firmly onside.
Sutton can put rivals in their Place
Sutton Place has won his last two starts in impressive fashion and can complete the hat-trick in the Grade 2 novice hurdle at 15:15.
The Gordon Elliott trained gelding shaped really well on debut when a not knocked about third at Navan, and duly built on that effort to score easily by 4 3/4 lenghs at this venue.
Sutton Place then took the step up into Listed company in his stride when slamming Royal Caviar by 8 1/2 lengtsh at Navan when last seen in action.
The five-year-old overcame a mistake four out, and after being produced to challenge at the last forged clear to win going away.
It was a most taking performance and, although this demands more, Sutton Place looks to be on a serious upward curve and should have plenty more to offer.
Roll It Out ready to rumble
In the 2m 6f handicap hurdle (15:50), Roll It Out looks decent each-way value.
The gelding scored in good style on his hurdling debut when landing a 20-runner contest at Down Royal back in 2013, and the race has thrown up plenty of subsequent winners.
Although Roll It Out has failed to get his head in front in 11 subsequent starts, the seven-year-old has run some solid races to make the frame.
They include a fine head third to Prince Of Scars two starts back at Navan, and the winner has gone to to land a Grade 1 contest at Leopardstown to give the form a solid look.
Judged on that run Roll It Out should be up to winning races off his current mark of 127 and, with underfoot conditions holding no fears and Barry Geraghty in the saddle, everything looks in place for a big run.
Dedigout can double up
Trainer Tony Martin has returned to form following a spell in the doldrums, and his Dedigout holds outstanding claims of landing back-to-back successes in the Grade 2 Keelings Irish Strawberry Hurdle at 16:20.
The 10-year-old looked better than ever last season, landing a brace of Grade 2 contests at Gowran Park and Navan before beating Thousand Stars by three lengths in this race 12 months ago.
Dedigout was then off the track for 314 days, and ran below par on return to action at Navan when last of three to Snow Falcon.
However, the son of Bob Back was not knocked about once it was clear he would not be winning and the run should have blown away the cobwebs.
A rating of 157 also gives Dedigout 4lb and upwards in hand on his rivals, and Martin is a shrewd cookie who is sure to have the gelding spot on to try and and retain his crown.
Selections
14:40 Slowmotion
15:15 Sutton Place (Nap)
15:40 Roll It Out (e/w)
16:20 Dedigout (NB)
17:35 Emily Gray
18:10 Blue Bicycle
18:40 Death Duty
Related
