The Ted Walsh trained Seabass 5/1 returns to action today in the Racegoer’s 25 Euros Package Hurdle, which kicks off a seven-race Fairyhouse fixture at 1.25.
Make Your Mark & Grey Monk both to win is 13/8 with Boylesports.com
This seems to be a race on the path to Aintree for Seabass and the two-mile trip will hardly suit the Grand National contender. With that in mind, it could pay to look elsewhere and Make Your Mark 8/13 createdwas a classy hurdler last season. Willie Mullins’ charge was no match for Simonsig in the Grade 1 Neptune at last year’s Cheltenham Festival but he had previously shaped with plenty of promise in Graded contests and is expected to be fully wound up on his return. Six times a winner on the Flat, Rock Critic 5/2 puts his 100% record over timber on the line and is another to take seriously for this contest.
Defy Logic 10/11 in the 1:55 could hardly have been more impressive when bolting up in a course bumper in November last year. He looks a classy sort and can take this decent maiden hurdle as it look like jumping his game. The danger lies in Mad Brian who was just beaten by Morning Assembly on his first start over hurdles at Naas last month and is sure to come on from that.
The Book On-Line @ fairyhouse.ie For Special Offers Maiden Hurdle at 2:25 looks to be a fairly hot maiden hurdle. Grey Monk 8/11 will be the pick of the punters after his encouraging third the last day. As a foal he was purchased for only €350 and after winning his point-to-point he was sold to Ann and Alan Potts for €210,000. He looks to have good ability and he can oblige today. Un Beau Roman looks to be the main danger. He was well supported on his debut but failed to put up any show. Mullins’ charge is sure to improve.
Quartetto 6/4 reverts to timber in the 2:55 off what looks an attractive mark of 95. He was last seen battling Competitive Edge in a strong Leopardstown race over fences last month and he’ll go very close if able to transfer that level of performance off this 10lb lower mark. The danger lies in Stop the Clock 3/1 who confirmed debut promise when beating Peinora at Thurles and capable of better still.
Romanesco 6/5 was second in the Paddy Power Chase to Colbert Station. Today he reverts back over hurdle at 3:25 on what could be a lenient mark of 14lbs lower than his chase mark. He is sure to put in a good show for Gordon Elliot. The Danger lies in Mister First who is up 11lb for fairly hacking up over C&D the last day and another big run could be on the cards on ground that suits him.
In the closing race Shantilly 8/1 could be worth backing each-way. Prunella Dobbs’ charge was well fancied the last day and failed to put a show. Today could be a nice opportunity to cross the line in front.
