14:45 Fairyhouse

Monday 2 April 2018

All14:1014:4515:1515:5016:2517:0017:4518:15

Rathbarry & Glenview Studs Novice Hurdle (Grade 2)

Off time: 14:45 | Winning time: 4m 38.10s

Getabird²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 152| BF| CD

1/1

Beaten favourite in the Supreme Novices' at Cheltenham last month, fading tamely in the end, having won his first two starts over timber impressively. Likely to leave that run behind him for top connections.

Form: 1/11-110

Hardline^h³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 140| D

6/1

Improving all the time, has twice come up short in Grade 1 company, but landed a Grade 2 at Naas (2m, soft) in February and could be capable of making the frame.

Form: 113311

Sayar¹⁸³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 137| D

12/1

Modest in two Flat runs, but two from two so far over hurdles. Stepped up on debut maiden win when scooping a Tipperary Grade 2 (2m, soft to heavy) in October and off since. Entitled to have a say.

Form: 11

Damalisque²¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: B J Geraghty| T: E P Harty

25/1

Impressive winner of a 2m2f soft-ground Listed contest at Auteuil in September before moving to this yard. Not to be discounted making Irish debut in this event.

Form: 11441

Draconien¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: N D Fehily| T: W P Mullins| BF

16/1

Easy scored on hurdles bow at Clonmel (2m3½f, soft to heavy) in December, then second having gone off odds-on at same venue in January (form worked out well). Unseated having gone off favourite for Listed Navan race last week.

Form: 4-12U

Or Jaune De Somoza⁵³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Sean Flanagan| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 121| D

50/1

Maiden hurdle winner at Thurles in February on third start over timber, entitled to have won there and will surely face sterner examination of credentials now.

Form: F/2-4531

Sharjah²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: D J Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 147| D

9/2

Looked booked for the win in Grade 1 Future Champions at Leopardstown over Christmas only to fall at the last, not disgraced in hot grade ones at that track and Cheltenham (Supreme) since and entitled to play leading role now.

Form: 11F78

The Gunner Murphy^t⁹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Mark Walsh| T: J P O'Brien

28/1

A €42,000 two-year old by Oscar, he won a modest Galway bumper in October (second since at Leopardstown) and faces a stiff task on this first outing over obstacles.

Form: 12

Veneer Of Charm¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-8| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 134| D

8/1

Much-improved effort to win the Fred Winter at the Cheltenham Festival last month having gone off an unfancied 33/1 chance. Did that despite wandering around after the last. Clearly possesses plenty ability.

Form: 1271

Forecasts

Getabird (1/1), Sharjah (9/2), Hardline (6/1), Veneer Of Charm (8/1), Sayar (12/1), Draconien (16/1), Damalisque (25/1), The Gunner Murphy (28/1), Or Jaune De Somoza (50/1)

Willie Mullins, winner of this race five times since 2009, has a typically strong hand headlined by beaten Supreme Novices' favourite Getabird. Going back right-handed should suit and he's much respected but probably opposable at the prices. Fred Winter scorer Veneer Of Charm is expected to get involved in the finish while Sharjah ran well at Cheltenham has clear potential in this field. The improving Hardline is a contender but SAYAR might be the value call. He's well thought of at Closutton and can maintain an unbeaten record over timber. French import Damalisque could run a big race on debut for connections.