Meeting Review: Fairyhouse – December 2nd, 2007

Positives: Well Tutored [WON Leopardstown 2/3 - 3/1] caught the eye when a staying on sixth over an insufficient trip in the 2m handicap chase. This should set him up for later targets but it is sincerely hoped that Arthur Moore campaigns him over intermediate distances this season rather than in the staying contests of last year. The 8yo may have placed in both the Paddy Power and the Thyestes but he gave the distinct impression that he doesn’t really stay 3m and his record around 2m4f reads:1F01. He certainly looks feasibly handicapped off 126 and there’s a 0-140 race over 2m4f at Punchestown next Sunday that would look ideal, or looking further ahead Limerick hosts a similar contest on the second day of their Christmas meeting. Noel Meade has some serious strength in depth in the hurdling department and it was impossible not to be impressed with his Aitmatov who landed a gritty success in the Hatton’s Grace. One of the most improved horses in training this season, he seems to act on any ground and while he may not be the ideal type for the Champion Hurdle, the Aintree Hurdle over 2m4f could be just the race for him. Silent Creek [WON Punchestown 31/12 - 3/1] was well-fancied in the 3m handicap hurdle and made stealthy headway to challenge at the second last. His challenge soon petered out in the manner of a non-stayer and will do better dropped in trip. Andrew McNamara seemed intent on giving hurding debutante Tranquil Sea [WON Leopardstown 26/12 - 3/1] an easy time of things in the 2m2f maiden hurdle and the 5yo, who was weak in the betting, can be expected to derive plenty of improvement from his second to the more experienced Sigma Digital. He travelled like the best horse in the race here and a maiden hurdle looks a formality and it would be no surprise to see that victory come at the Leopardstown Christmas fixture.

Negatives: Though both the first and second home in the 2m handicap chase, Vintage Treasure and Wanango, are unexposed and appear worth following, I’d be wary of supporting the pair on their upcoming starts. Vintage Treasure is something of a bridle merchant and the strong pace here suited him extremely well as he cruised into the race and never had to come off the bit. He may not get the same strongly-run race next time and is sure to receive a good hike in the weights to boot, while he also regressed from an impressive start to his chasing career last term that included a 10l defeat of subsequent Grade 1 winner Mister Top Notch. Wanango is another that seems likely to regress; he has won first time out in all of his 3 seasons and it would be no surprise for this brave run in second to prove his high water-mark of the year.

Pointers: Unlike a number of trainers who chose to run their horses on unsuitable ground (Paul Nolan with French Accordion and to a lesser extent, Colm Murphy with Megan’s Joy spring to mind), Eddie Harty wisely decided to pull Captain Cee Bee out of the Royal Bond Hurdle when going turned heavy. He is a horse of some potential and this cautious approach in the early stages of his thus far unbeaten hurdling career could reap benefits in the months to come. Edward O’Grady enjoyed a fine 2-day fixture at Fairyhouse, carding 3 winners including a Grade 1 win for Sky’s The Limit and a return to form for Catch Me after a disappointing run on the flat last time. It was the Ballynonty handler’s sixth winner in a fortnight which must make Clopf’s flop (excuse the half-rhyme) at Newcastle all the more worrying. He looks a complete hype-merchant and is not a horse I’d be backing any time soon, if ever. Giolla De showed his liking for Clonmel again when just going under to Merry Cowboy in the 2m4f handicap chase but while the winner is a tough sort, Francis Flood’s horse habitually finds zilch off the bridle and somehow found a way to lose despite looking the winner the whole way up the straight. He’s one to be wary of wherever he runs next.