21st October - Fairyhouse Review (AW)

21st October – Fairyhouse

Going: Soft to Heavy (Times suggests Hurdles course rode Heavy and Chase rode soft)

Abbeybraney took the opener for trainer John Berry running in his wife’s colours. The horse put in a good performance and they plan to step him up in trip. The ground could provide an excuse for the odds on shot G’Day Mate, who doesn’t appear to relish soft conditions. He will be a different prospect on better going however.

Another favourite disappointed in the next, You Sir, but this was a good race and the form should stand up. Pedrobob put in a really good display and he appears to be destined for a try at fences later in the season. He is clearly in good heart and they should be able to find him a good opportunity. Beef Or Salmon finished a very encouraging second on his seasonal reappearance. Quite what he can achieve this season is unknown, as they always tend to stick to the same route with him. No doubt Leopardstown at Christmas will be on the cards, and maybe they will finally keep him at home when Cheltenham is on.

Killeroran Kash gave David Kelly a first winner as a trainer in an uninspiring handicap hurdle.
Glennfinn Captain put in a classy display to land the beginners chase. He has received a number of quotes for the Arkle, but I hold reservations about this being his true target, or indeed the ideal race for him. He will stay further, his jumping was impressive at times and the performance was good in light of the heavy conditions and the fact that he had no one to race with. Those behind the winner could never land a blow, and there were some reasonable horses in the field that will pick up races.

Royal Man landed his first victory over fences and looks to be going the right way now tackling the bigger obstacles. He was fairly unsighted on his first attempt but the step up in trip and soft going would have been to his liking. He will make his presence felt, if staying at a lower level and he’d be best tackling an moderate handicap to begin with.