Poormans Hill Has Rich Claims At Fairyhouse

Fairyhouse

14:10 Bobbyjo Bistro Great Food Great Deals Handicap Chase

Dinnie’s Vinnie used to be one to tread warily with, but on balance his Timeform squiggle looks ill-deserved at present, and he beats most of these rivals hands down when it comes to consistency. The key to him is being able to lead, and his only poor run in the last season or so came when not facing blinkers here in October 2016. He was hampered early when only sixth at Thurles last time, but that was still an effort which put him in with a fair chance in this weaker contest, and he has every chance of an uncontested lead here. The one who could spoil that script is Milanesque, but that one burst a blood vessel when pulled up on his return from a long absence last time, and it’s unlikely he’ll be ridden aggressively with that in mind.

14:45 Solerina Mares’ Novice Hurdle

Willie Mullins has dominated the mares’ scene in recent years, but the mighty Solerina showed that smaller stables can excel given the ammunition, too, and hopefully Crackerdancer can prove that point for Nenagh handler Ray Hackett. Hackett may not have the depth of talent in his yard which Mullins and Gordon Elliott enjoy, but he has a smashing prospect in the mud-loving Crackerdancer, who destroyed her rivals with a powerful front-running performance in a listed bumper at Navan in November, and made a winning debut over hurdles at Limerick over Christmas, pulling 25 lengths clear of her rivals despite coming up against an odds-on shot from the Mullins stable. This is tougher, but she responds most generously to pressure, and will stretch her rivals from the start – very much in the mould of Solerina, ironically enough.

16:25 Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle

Poormans Hill failed to stay 3m5f when a creditable fifth to Presenting Percy over fences here last month, but that effort was still an excellent one in the context of this weaker race, and he is absolutely thrown in if able to translate his chase form back to this discipline.  That really shouldn’t be an issue, as he was an impressive winner on his last outing over hurdles, and is simply a thriving performer who ought to have no difficulty getting back to winning ways off his modest rating.

Tips:

Dinnie’s Vinnie 

Crackerdancer 

Poormans Hill