Jump Into January at Fairyhouse (Pro/Am) Flat Race

Off time: 15:46 | Winning time: 4m 9.5s

Callela^h1,t1

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: M J M O'Sullivan⁽⁷⁾| T: D P Dunne

25/1

Homebred gelding by court Cave out of a bumper winner. Yard has had a winner in this sphere from limited runners this year, so not a forlorn hope despite expected outsider status.

Form:

Fais Ton Chemin

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins

9/4

By Coastal Path, and the first foal of a winning hurdler/chaser in France. Trainer had eight among original entry for this race, so fact he relies on this gelding is a recommendation in itself.

Form:

Favori De Champdou³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Ms L O'Neill| T: G Elliott

11/4

Saddler Maker gelding who cost €60,000 as a four-year-old. Made the frame on all three point-to-point starts, and shaped very well when fourth to subsequent winner Eric Bloodaxe at Fairyhouse last month. Sure to progress.

Form: 23-24

Gabynako⁵⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: C P McNamara⁽⁷⁾| T: G P Cromwell

7/4

Tirwanako half-brother to French hurdle/chase winner Winter Symphony, from family of smart staying chaser Halcon Genelardais. Second in a point-to-point on his sole start in November, so dangerous to dismiss now making rules bow.

Form: 2

Keskonrisk

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr D T Hyde⁽⁷⁾| T: T E Hyde

6/1

No Risk At All half-brother to useful hurdler Grand Sancy. Yard has a 13% strike-rate in bumpers, so merits a market check on debut.

Form:

Jaipore¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Gavin Brouder⁽⁷⁾| T: J Nash

66/1

Arakan mare, who is a half-sister to four winners under NH rules, but offered little immediate encouragement starting out at Naas last month.

Form: 9

Non-Runners

Eskylane³²

Weight: 12-0| Age: 6

T: G Elliott J: Mr J J Codd

Forecasts

Eskylane (11/10), Gabynako (7/4), Fais Ton Chemin (9/4), Favori De Champdou (11/4), Keskonrisk (6/1), Callela (25/1), Jaipore (66/1)

Quite an interesting race despite the smallish field. Willie Mullins had eight entered at the five-day stage, so the fact that he relies on FAIS TON CHEMIN is significant, and he gets the nod over Favori de Champdou, who appears the pick of three from the in-form Gordon Elliott operation. Gabynako was an expensive purchase, and shaped well when second in a point in November, so can't be ignored.