Meeting Review: Fairyhouse Winter 'Festival' - November 29th & 30th

Positives: With fog enveloping much of the track, I couldn’t see much of 2m novice hurdle won by The Last Derby on Saturday but I liked what I saw; Eoin Griffin’s 4yo running out an easy winner over the decent Zarinava (received 5lbs) all despite having his first run over hurdles and being off the track since June and encountering ground much softer than he’d ever run on. He’ll be winning again soon, perhaps in pattern company. Luska Lad was another whose win on Saturday is literally clouded in mystery but it’s hard not to like the way the 4yo defied a double penalty to complete a 3-timer in the bumper. The form of his previous 2 wins had worked out well with subsequent winners Realt Dubh, The Bishop Looney and Part Presenting emerging from behind him and he looks a smart novice hurdle prospect for the remainder of the season. The Royal Bond was run in a time almost 11 seconds slower than the opening juvenile hurdle on Sunday and there’s no doubt in my mind that the runner-up Donnas Palm was most inconvenienced by the slow pace; he’d run out an impressive winner on his hurdles bow at Naas but needed plenty of stoking up to get on top there and already looks as if he wants a bit further. Even so, this was an excellent performance for a horse having just his second run over hurdles and it would be no surprise to see him reverse form with Hurricane Fly in a race with more emphasis on stamina. It’s impossible not to respect a horse like Trafford Lad because he just keeps winning; it’s rarely impressive (his 5 1/2l win in the Drinmore was his widest margin of victory so far!) but this brought his career record to 6 wins from 9 runs. Going up in trip won’t be a problem and nor will better ground and he sets the standard for the staying Irish novices at this point. Savitha [WON 4/1 - Leopardstown, 15/2/09 over hurdles] has had jumping issues since she threw away a graded novice at Punchestown last November with a blunder 4 out but as a result she’s well-treated over fences and was unlucky to be nutted on the line in the 2m handicap chase. She was given plenty to do here but made up her ground effortlessly and might be worth trying back over hurdles – a race that comprises fewer and smaller obstacles can only be in her favour. The Mac’s J Racing Syndicate endured the agony and the ecstasy with their star Macs Joy as well as plenty more agony with the likes of Valley Of Giants and Minnesota Leader but they look to have a horse to go to war with in Hugo De Vindecy. The French-bred ran out an impressive 7l winner of the 4yo bumper and it could well prove a decent race as a number of top yards were represented. A half-brother to the smart Rodock, he hails from a real soft ground family and could be up to defying a penalty in a winners' bumper.
Negatives: Alpine Eagle (11/10) and Mythical Prince (11/2) took out of chunk of the market in the opening race of the 2-day fixture but could manage only third and fifth respectively – the Cork maiden hurdle they fought out looks a weak event in hindsight and despite their high-profile connections and decent flat form, neither are anything special over hurdles. Jessica Harrington had another short-priced disappointment as Cork All Star got turned over at 5/4 in the 2m2f conditions hurdle – in 9 hurdles starts, he’s won just once at odds of 1/3 and has been a beaten favourite on 5 occasions. The bookies must love him and he’s long since paid back the Cheltenham Bumper losses. Yield For No One was as well fancied as anything in the Grade 3 juvenile hurdle but he finished a well-beaten fifth and may have done his winning for now; this was his fifth run over hurdles and he appears to lack scope for improvement at this point of his season. Paul Carberry got it wrong in choosing Fisher Bridge over Donnas Palm in the Royal Bond and his mount finished last. The evidence of his previous run suggested he’s a Grade 3 animal at best and while he may prefer better ground (by Singspiel) the 5yo hardly appeals as one to follow. It was no surprise to see Rare Bob hit the frame in the Drinmore despite seemingly being out of his depth. This was the eighth time in 12 outings he’s made the three but he’s still without a win and certainly isn’t one to be taking a short price about in a beginners chase next time.
Pointers: Though both looked well-treated, neither Sophocles nor Perce Rock were ever likely to win the Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle on Saturday. Their reasons for defeat were different – Sophocles needs much faster ground and Perce Rock was never seriously put into the race which was surprising given that he raced with the pace throughout his novice chase season and won first time out each of the last 3 years. I wouldn’t give up on either yet. There’s every chance Catch Me may have done his winning for now in landing the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle because a change in trip is unlikely to suit – he doesn’t jump well enough for the top 2-mile races and is a non-stayer over three. I’d like to see him sweep the board in the two and half mile graded races around the likes of Navan as he’d love the testing ground that often prevails there – his record on yielding/soft or worse since arriving in Ireland reads:11112U11411. Willie Mullins isn’t supposed to have his string in top order at this time of the year but his form figures over the weekend (155341FPP13056311343442) confirm his yard are in excellent form and the trainers championship looks at his mercy.