Weekend NAP - January 17th, 2009

Fairyhouse 1.05 - Qualviro

Season to date: +0.5

With Fixed Fee winning easily at Cork recently, the early signs are that the race won by Voler La Vedette at Leopardstown was pretty hot and I think it may prove the pick of the maiden hurdles run at that venue over Christmas. Qualviro was a good third that day and holds both Across The Bay and Beckett Rock comfortably on that form. The step up in trip is a slight question but a look at his sire, dam's family and siblings suggest it won't be a problem and though he was off the bridle from the second last at Leopardstown, he found plenty off the bridle to pull clear of the fourth.
I can't have it that a 4yo making its hurdle debut over 2m4f on testing ground (Art Sleuth) will be winning this, whatever his connections, and while Sibenek is decent, he'd need to improve markedly on his Fairyhouse run to beat the selection. Qualviro been running against some very decent types like The Last Derby, Zarinava, Alpine Eagle and Smoking Aces lately and, with nothing of that quality in opposition here, should collect.
Of the other Fairyhouse races, I'll take Scotsirish to come home in front a trappy Norman's Grove while Bobbawn has some old hunter chase and point-to-point form that's says he's well-treated in the 3m1f handicap chase. Savitha has more than a few questions to answer on the attitude front after her run at Leopardstown last time but it will be very disappointing if she can't make the three in the opener at Cork.