8th November - Fairyhouse Review (AW)

8th November – Fairyhouse

Going; Soft to Heavy (Times suggest the ground was on the Heavy side)

The opener went to Bobs Pride. The performance was nothing exceptional and I suspect that Ruby Walsh gleans the best form the horse. It may not be quite as clear-cut as that as he is a talented flat performer and his trainer does know the time of day, but I would tend to err on the side of caution with the horse though. Similar comments apply to Davorin, whilst the third, The Budgee should be able to pick a race up, possibly over two and a half miles.

Mr Aussie landed his first win over hurdles on his first run of the season, for in form trainer Fran Flood, giving Ruby Walsh a second winner on the way to a treble. It is hard to anticipate where the improved form has quite come from but this performance was good and maybe he has turned a corner after a lay off from the end of the season. Personally I would be inclined to avoid the form of the race but I would give Mr Aussie a chance to carry on in this vain of health, especially now that he has been stepped up in trip.

Scalini’S showed up fit from the flat to defeat Iron Hague in the handicap hurdle. The winner had been in England with Jonjo O’Neill but had not gained any success. Boots Madden has clearly revitalised the horse and cleverly running him on the flat over a variety of trips has obviously done him the world of good. Iron Hague has been running with credit of late but with these placed efforts he will be gaining extra weight without any success to show for it. The winner may be worth looking out for should the handicapper not prove to be too harsh.

In the first of the two divisions of the handicap hurdle Pirates Punch received a perfect waiting ride from Davy Russell, running in only his second handicap. This was the weaker of the two divisions, with The Royal Dub gaining further hurdles success in the second division. This division of the race was much stronger performance wise and Tony Martin will possibly be able to find another win from the winner, and could possibly switch him to fences, as he often switches runners between the two codes. Phillip Rothwell is clever with his handicappers and the second Another Notice should find an opportunity whilst he has dropped down the weights.

Chicago Vic gave Ruby Walsh a treble and won her first race over fences in the process. Cheekpieces were fitted to make her concentrate and they have been said to make a difference with her. She put in a fair display but the performance was nothing to get too carried away with. She probably has a fair handicap win or two in her and will also be focusing on mares’ races when the opportunity comes around.

Wanango was expected to go well and he put in a really good display and had a good turn off foot to deny favourite Justpourit on the run in. The performance time wise was all right, not the best of recent novices, but a fair display and the winner had more petrol in the tank at the finish. A step up in trip should be expected next time out and it would very much depend upon the class of the field as to whether a follow up win would occur.