Paul Callaghan’s Saturday Racing Tips At Fairyhouse

Paul Callaghan takes a look at Saturday’s racing at Fairyhouse. Can he tip you a winner?

2.20 Download The BoyleSports App Mares Chase (Listed) over 2m 5f.

Both Elimay and Mount Ida are difficult to oppose but I’m looking at taking them on, as both have been to Cheltenham and an investment in either is taken on trust that respective races along with the travelling have not left a mark.

Therefore, a chance is taken on the Henry De Bromhead trained Abbey Magic, who needs to bounce back following a fruitless journey to Ascot last November, where she only managed to beat two finishers home in a race won by First Flow. On ratings, Abbey Magic has 13lbs to find with Mount Ida and 15lbs to find with Elimay.

The conditions of this race see Abbey Magic meet Mount Ida on 11lbs worse terms and is 7lbs worse off at the weights with Elimay.

The ground at Ascot was proper soft winter ground, I think she will prefer the nicer ground at Fairyhouse and comes here a fresh horse.

Should the top two underperform, I expect Abbey Magic to be there to pick up the pieces.

3.30 I.N.H Stallion Owners EBF Novice Handicap Hurdle Series Final over 3m.

This is an ultra competitive final to this series and one might have as much luck sticking a pin in the field as I try to work out the form, but we’ll do our best!

With a full field of 20 declared and three reserves on standby, there is fantastic each-way value to be had here at BoyleSports, with 5 places rewarding each-way punters.

I’m going to side with the Joseph O’Brien trained Fun Light, ridden by J J Slevin. He won a maiden hurdle over 2m 4f on the inner course here at Fairyhouse in January.

His most recent outing came in Grade 1 company at Leopardstown in February, where Fun Light ran well for a long way and was caught out wide from leaving the back straight, in a race won by Gaillard Du Mesnil.

The handicapper has taken no chances with the Joseph O’Brien trained gelding, giving him a rating of 130, but I think Fun Light will appreciate the step up in trip to three miles and the drop down in class.

Of the others, Fighter Allen is the choice of Paul Townend over Lady Breffni, so that’s of obvious interest.

While Crosshill, the mount of BoyleSports horse racing ambassador Robbie Power, looked potentially quite smart when he won his maiden hurdle at Punchestown last October.

He has failed to build on that victory but has only had three runs since, so it’s too early to write him off just yet.

4.05 Handicap Hurdle over 2m.

Once again, 5 places are on offer here at BoyleSports if you are having an each way bet.

Thosedaysaregone may prove tough to beat, if getting some luck in running. He won a competitive handicap hurdle at Leopardstown in February 2020, and followed that up by finishing third at the Cheltenham Festival, just over a month later.

Incredibly this is his first run over hurdles since March 2020. However, he did make a winning seasonal reappearance on the all-weather at Dundalk, at the beginning of March.

He is a horse who likes to be held up, so he will need a little luck but it’s also worth noting that connections have opted not to claim off top weight of 11st 10lbs, indicating to me that his mark of 141 should see him competitive in this grade.

5.15 Pro/Am Flat Race over 2m.

I think the Gavin Cromwell trained Letsbeclearaboutit can win the final race on Day 1 of the Easter Festival.

He won his first two bumpers impressively before following home Sir Gerhard in a bumper at Navan in December and Kilcruit at Leopardstown in February. Connections have opted to claim 7lbs off, to lighten the burden of 12st 2lbs.