By Luke Hawkins
14:20 SHE’S COMMANCHE
Has course form over two miles two furlongs and won last time out over this trip of two and a half miles at Leopardstown in March.
Her rivals on this occasion have mainly picked up results on more undulating and less galloping courses in nature.
She should also appreciate the good ground and consistently challenges in fields with a lot of runners.
On top of this she is near the bottom of the weights carrying 10st 4lb.
14:50 GRAND BORNAND
Has finished 4th behind favourite Thedevilscoachman at Cork in November 2020 by 12 lengths where novicey jumping ultimately cost this horse.
However, has since been runner up by 9 lengths to grade three winner at two and a half miles Grand Paradis and was a convincing winner on good ground at Leopardstown last time out.
His jumping has also been tidied up since that race at Cork and will be able to set a faster pace from the front as a result.
Thedevilscoachman does have a good chance but he can also get low into a hurdle and hit them hard.
This should be a flaw this horse could punish and offers a decent option each way.
15:20 SKYACE
Finished a respectable 4th behind Telmesomethinggirl by 9 lengths at the Cheltenham Festival.
Glens of Antrim, Roseys Hollow, Gauloise and Hook Up all finished in behind and the long uphill finish really suited this horse.
The finish at Fairyhouse, although not as testing, does last for half a mile and should go in her favour.
Also boasts form over Global Equity and Brave Way.
Market rival Atlantic Fairy also has strong form claims but these good results have come on soft/heavy ground.
The race should be ran at a strong pace and as horses come off the bridle this horse’s stamina should come to the fore.
15:50 GENTLEMANSGAME
Well rested. Skipped the Cheltenham festival and was last seen in February finishing a respectable 5 lengths 2nd to Gaillard Du Mesnil in a very strong race.
Had previously impressed with a 21 length victory at Cork in January.
Cork is galloping and right handed much like the course at Fairyhouse and has shown he can handle a well run race.
Will face tough opposition in Grand Paradis, but will carry 3lbs less and has the cleaner jumping in his favour.
It could be close though.
16:25 JERANDME
Interesting horse who has never finished outside the top three across flat and national hunt racing and has only been seen twice over fences.
Was victorious in both and at Kilbeggan finished ahead of Star Max in 4th by over 7 lengths on good ground.
The good going will suit him better than most due to his previous experience on the flat.
Exit Poll has also beaten Star Max at Leopardstown by 41/2 lengths in March. Exit Poll has also finished 2nd behind grade three winning chaser Andy Dufresne.
This shows that he is capable of competing in this field but will carry 8lbs less than Exit Poll and at the time of writing is 12/1 so works out well each way.
17:00 ANDY DUFRESNE
2 wins and 1 place over fences including a grade three victory.
Finished a distant 3rd to the mighty Monkfish last time out but no shame in defeat in such a high class race. Asterion Ferlonge also finished a length behind in 4th.
This is Andy Dufresne’s optimum trip, two and a half miles and he has never finished outside the top three a sign of a class horse. He also won’t mind good ground.
Although Franco De Port has a grade one to his name, the race was ran at an extraordinary pace that meant the other runners were off the bridle fast and he finished late, something that might not happen here.
Conflated had also finished 3rd behind Monkfish but that was by over 60 lengths and ultimately the form behind Monkfish is the strongest indicator we have in this race for sheer quality.
If Andy Dufresne runs to form he should win.
Hawkinsport 
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