Irish National Day: 15:50 Fairyhouse

BEACON EDGE

NON RUNNER

2. FRENCH DYNAMITE

OR:150 Hurdles: 7 starts, 3 wins, 1 place Trainer: Michael Morris

Jockey:Rachael Blackmore Form:514-251

2nd by ^1/2 length to Sire Du Berlais in the grade 2 Lismullen Hurdle at Navan in November.

Sire Du Berlais went on to be runner up in the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.

This form for me gives this horse the edge over Beacon Edge on paper and he definitely has that finishing gear that will be needed to beat him.

Has also picked up a few results on yielding ground and has a win at Thurles which is right handed.

Rachael Blackmore hasn’t had a winner at the meeting so far and this should soon change.

3. TURNPIKE TRIP

Last seen 17 lengths 4th behind Mt Leinster at Listowel in September 2020.

Last win was in October of 2019.

His best results have come on good ground and it is as close to good as can be at Fairyhouse at the moment.

However, his best result was a 2nd place effort in a 5 runner listed hurdle in July 2019 so he would have to improve massively would be a huge shock.

4. DEPARTMENT OF WAR

NON RUNNER

5. HANNON

NON RUNNER

6. SCARPETA

NON RUNNER

7. SIXSHOOTER

3rd behind Sire Du Berlais by 4 lengths at Navan in November 2020 and 3 lengths behind French Dynamite in 2nd.

disappointing 4th out of 5 runners last time out but this was over two miles on soft ground and his better form is on yielding/good going.

If runs to his best has a good chance at placing but form not in his favour and tends to finish behind those top quality horses.

8. THE BOSSES OSCAR

Places a lot against high quality opposition.

Will often hit the front late and weaken closer to the line allowing opposition to steal the victory.

Is coming back down in trip from the staying distance of three miles, however his last start over this distance he also finished 2nd to none other than French Dynamite.

This form may repeat itself here.

9. UNEXPECTED DEPTH

Jockey: Barry Browne Form:12-1324

An appropriately named horse!

coming down in trip and has notable form in December finishing 3 lengths 3rd to Dandy Mag and only 2 lengths behind The Bosses Oscar which puts him in the picture here.

In February finished 2nd to Maze Runner over three miles and the Dandy Mag finished 10th reversing the form which shows this horse maintained standards.

Has good form on yielding and right handed courses and could improve for the step down in trip, might sneak a place now Beacon Edge is a non-runner.

10. STORMY IRELAND

Back with Willie Mullins after a brief spell with Paul Nicholls racing in England.

Planned jockey Paul Townend won’t ride due to injury.

Didn’t win in her time there and this could be a worry given the strength of the Irish horses highlighted by the results at the Cheltenham Festival last month.

On her day was a very good horse and going back to the start of 2020 had a good 6 length victory over Franco de Port over two miles.

Last time out was 2nd to Whitehotchillifili at Sandown in January who finished last at Cheltenham in the Mares’ Hurdle.

Will have to roll back the clock a bit to challenge here.

VERDICT

1st FRENCH DYNAMITE – The conditions and the course suit and has a finishing gear a few of the fancied horses in the field don’t have. If in range on the shoulder of the leaders late on he could reel them in.

2nd THE BOSSES OSCAR – Could mount the same challenge as usual early in the straight and then, especially up the hill, could tire close to the line allowing the fast closing French Dynamite to take it from him, if he hasn’t already gone ahead. Expecting a repeat in form from Thurles last February.

3rd UNEXPECTED DEPTH – Tends to stay on well late and should do the same here. With the ground not being too soft could stay on behind the leaders from a mid division position and has been consistent lately at placing in a race with a few quality names in.