Fairyhouse
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3:20 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Novice Hurdle Championship Final
The lightly-raced 7-year-old Atlantic Fairy makes no little appeal. The Jeremy mare shed her maiden tag, at the third attempt, when hacking up by 20 lengths at Limerick in December and followed up in a Listed event at Navan in February. The second horse home that day, Global Equity, had previously split two Festival winners, Heaven Help Us and Telmesomething Girl, in a mares’ handicap hurdle at Leopardstown two weeks earlier, so the form looks exceptionally strong. Atlantic Story has had six weeks to recover from her exertions and, with further improvement likely, looks something to bet on. Selection: Atlantic Fairy.4:25 BoyleSports Novice Handicap Chase
Jerandme has a 202-day absence to overcome, but has won at the first time of asking in the last three National Hunt seasons. Indeed, the Azamour gelding is 2-2 over fences, albeit over two and a half miles and three miles, respectively, but has won over two miles on the Flat, so should have the speed to cope with dropping back in distance over obstacles. The prevailing yielding going should suit him admirably and he can improve his already impressive strike rate. Selection: Jerandme5:00 Underwriting Exchange Gold Cup Novice Steeplechase
Andy Dufresne proved no match for Monkfish and Latest Exhibition in the Grade One Flogas Novice Chase at Leopardstown in February but, even so, finished just ahead of Asterion Forlonge. Denise Foster’s lightly-raced 7-year-old had previously won his first two starts over fences, both at odds-on, including a 3-length defeat of Embittered, who was sent off favourite for the Grand Annual Challenge Cup at the Cheltenham Festival, at Navan in December. The Doyen gelding has an excellent strike rate, having won five of his eight starts under Rules; he remains open to further improvement and can regain winning ways. Selection: Andy DufresnePlumpton
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3:26 Sussex Champion Hurdle
A ‘champion’ hurdle in name only, insofar as it’s a handicap, but a competitive enough contest all the same. Natural History is unbeaten on the prevailing good going, but his heavy defeat in the Imperial Cup at Sandown last time was probably down to a rise in class, coupled with a 16lb rise in the weights, rather than softer underfoot conditions. Even so, he could fare better here, but preference on this occasion is for Sebastopol, who likewise has plenty of winning form on top-of-the-ground. Tom Lacey’s 7-year-old needs to stage a resurgence after three non-descript efforts this season, including on his return to action following wind surgery at Kelso in early March. However, he has become well-handicapped once again and dropping back to the minimum trip should do him no harm. Selection: SebastopolSunday’s Free Bets
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