IRISH NATIONAL DAY AT FAIRYHOUSE: SHAMROCK’s bets on Monday include one in the feature event plus the other Graded races on the card.
Plenty of big race action on Irish Grand National day at Fairyhouse with three supporting Graded races on the card.
3:15 Avoca Dunboyne Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2) (4yo, Class 1, 2m, 7 runners)
There’s an early Mullins / Elliott skirmish on the card but both trainers may have to play second fiddle to the Ellmarie Holden trained Ex Patriot.
A winner of a Grade 3 here in February (but subsequently demoted) he then went on to run a cracker at the Cheltenham Festival when fourth to Defi Du Seuil in the Triumph Hurdle.
If anything, this looks a slightly below par Grade 2 and Ex Patriot can see off the rivals from the bigger yards.
4:25 Keelings Irish Strawberry Hurdle (Grade 2) (5yo+, Class 1, 2m 4f, 6 runners)
Sutton Place goes from strength to strength and can make it a sixth straight win here.
He by-passed Cheltenham but was impressive when last seen winning the Grade 2 Ladbrokes Ireland Boyne Hurdle at Navan. It was soft to heavy that day but he has winning form on yielding ground too.
5:00 Irish Grand National Chase (Grade A) (5yo+, 3m 5f, 30 runners)
The usual highly competitive renewal and the question begging this year over and above everything else is Gigginstown yes or no?
It’s a no from me as I fancy Oscar Knight who is lurking right down the bottom of the weights.
This is more his ground after racing on heavy for his last two starts and he showed in December at Leopardstown that he can be a big player in a big field when third to Noble Endeavour in the PP Chase. That was over 3m but he was staying on well and did well to get so competitive having been badly hampered in the run.
5:35 Farmhouse Foods John & Chich Fowler Memorial E.B.F. Mares Chase (Grade 3) (5yo+, Class 1, 2m 4f, 7 runners)
The market leaders Westerner Lady and Slowmotion should dominate here with narrow preference for the former.
SHAMROCK’S BETS
NAP: Ex Patriot (3.15 Fairyhouse)
NEXT BEST: Sutton Place (4.25 Fairyhouse)
IRISH GRAND NATIONAL: WIN and PLACE Oscar Knight (5.00 Fairyhouse)
WIN: Westerner Lady (5.25 Fairyhouse)
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