Ballyadam wins at Down Royal
Ballyadam wins at Down Royal

Man On The Spot best bets for Fairyhouse on Sunday


Check out our race-by-race verdicts and nap selection for Sunday's meeting at Fairyhouse.

12.00

The Caddy Rose, a winner over this trip at Kilbeggan in August, just failed to concede Shanrie Al C 27lb over 3m1f at Gowran before failing to last out over 3m4f at Cork. She wouldn't want any more rain but Emily Moon won't mind the conditions and she's been keeping better company since an impressive victory in a beginners' event at Thurles in March. Ellie Mac failed to make the expected progress after completing a double in 2018 and has been racing over hurdles while Make My Heart Fly was beaten a long way when runner-up at Clonmel. Lunch In Adare has improved with every run over fences and just failed in a sustained battle with Reuben James at Ballinrobe. She makes her handicap debut but Cushinstown Finest has been raised 8lb for scoring over just short of this trip at Punchestown. ROBIN DEUZ POIS has had six starts since joining Gordon Elliott, scoring at Newcastle in March. Her last two runs have been over hurdles and, as she's likely to be suited by this shorter trip and has Gavin Brouder's claim to aid her cause, she's handed the vote to open what should be a stellar day for the stable.

12.30

Saint Sam has won a couple of minor races in France for which he carries a double penalty. Druid's Altar scored on heavy ground on the Flat in September before a convincing victory in similar conditions on his hurdling bow at Punchestown. He'll improve again but Glorious Zoff was a big disappointment when sent to Sedgefield where he didn't appreciate having to make the running. He looked much better at Sligo earlier and will be expected to bounce back. His stable companion ZANAHIYR is progressing fast having followed a victory on the Flat with a nice performance at Ballinrobe where he overcame a couple of sticky jumps. He can take this as the remaining pair have plenty to do.

1.05

Winning point-to-pointer BALLYADAM put a shock bumper defeat behind him when scoring by 18 lengths at Downpatrick then made a very impressive hurdling debut when beating two previous bumper winners in a canter at Down Royal. He'll take some beating wherever he turns up this winter. Stable companions One Down and The Very Man are smart performers but look to be playing for places while Cask Mate looked suited by 2m4f when slamming Dewcup at Punchestown. N'Golo is a promising type who stayed on strongly to beat the four-year-old Annexation in a Navan Grade 3 though much more will be needed here as the close third has been beaten in a maiden subsequently.

1.35

A Grade 1 in which Gordon Elliott had four of the original seven entries and Joseph O'Brien the remaining three. The presence of the brilliant ENVOI ALLEN has frightened away any credible opposition and should see victory number 10 in succession for the triple Grade 1-winning hurdler who jumped well on his chasing debut at Down Royal. It would be a huge shock if he was beaten though the two O'Brien entries both arrive in excellent form. Home By The Lee scrambled home on his chasing bow but showed the benefit when landing a Cork Grade 3 while useful hurdler Assemble defied a bad mistake to score on heavy ground at Fairyhouse and Rachael Blackmore keeps the ride. Coko Beach couldn't quite hold off stable companion Pencilfulloflead at Galway but the winner went on to land a tough Grade 2 at Punchestown.

2.05

Gordon Elliott has seven entries plus the first reserve. Milan Native could prove best of those at the top of the handicap but Jack Kennedy's mount Monbeg Notorious was well beaten in this a year ago. CHEB DE KERVINIOU has always looked as though he had a big staying handicap in him and almost won the Leinster National in March when Mon Lino, who ran a cracking race to finish second in this a year ago, was a couple of lengths back in third. The selection isn't consistent but this could just bring out the best in him. Brace Yourself makes his handicap debut after finishing third in a Punchestown Grade 2 but a bigger threat may arrive in the shape of Dromore Lad, who made a stunning handicap bow in the Cork Grand National and should make a bold bid to defy a 10lb rise. Chavi Artist is another arriving in top form after staying on strongly at Punchestown.

2.35

HONEYSUCKLE is unbeaten in eight starts, including five on this track. She won this very easily a year ago when beating Bacardys nine lengths then completed a hat-trick of Grade 1 victories at Leopardstown and Cheltenham. She's impossible to oppose though Fury Road looked a likely winner at the highest level when landing a Grade 2 at Punchestown with ease. Cheltenham Stayers' Hurdle runner-up Ronald Pump will ensure there's no hanging around and is hopefully over his last-flight fall at Navan while Beacon Edge is progressing very well, though takes on much stronger opposition than when landing a Galway Grade 3.

3.05

Charles Byrnes won this two years ago with Wonder Laish and Advanced Virgo, who makes his handicap debut over timber, has been running well on the Flat and is just the type he does so well with. Cayd Boy was making his handicap bow when landing a Grade B at Down Royal and Mark Walsh chooses him over Hearts Are Trumps, Ciel De Neige, Campeador and Drop The Anchor, all owned by J P McManus. The latter is closely matched with Getaway Gorgeous on their 1-2 at Listowel in September but this could be yet another for Gordon Elliott via ECLAIR DE BEAUFEU (NAP). Runner-up in the Grand Annual over fences at Cheltenham, he fell on his return to action over the bigger obstacles at Navan but reverts to hurdles on an 18lb lower mark and can take advantage.

3.40

San Salvador looks easily the best of those with experience though he'll need to improve from his run at Naas in February. Grand Paradis is a half-brother to four winners in France and stable companion Champagne Sparkles is the first foal of a mare from a top-class family. Barry Connell's yard has been going well and GOOD LAND is a half-brother to a winning bumper out of a mare who also won a bumper so he should have more basic pace than most of these. The market is best watched for clues to the remainder with Sage Boat being of particular interest.

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