Fairyhouse selections Monday 21st April
One of the big racedays in the Irish calendar as the Irish National takes centre stage for what is now day two at Fairyhouse. I have two selections for the big race, both hailing from the same stable. Headline selection Givemefive was a winner for us at Haydock on Saturday (SP 9/2) with Jer Batt also placed for the each-way (advised 4/1).
Fairyhouse 5.00: Now is the Hour and Bioluminescence
One of the features in recent seasons has been the rise and rise of Gavin Cromwell as a force in jumps racing and he is mob handed for the Irish National today, with two of his raiders fancied.
NOW IS THE HOUR was a big fancy for me at Cheltenham and he still held a chance when falling two out when in chase of eventual winner and rival today Haiti Couleurs. It might well be that he would have only finished a good second, but he showed enough that day to prove he was well handicapped, that he stays marathon distances and can cope with a big field.
One unknown at Cheltenham was how he would cope with good going, but he is fully proven on a soft surface and that might help him defeat the Welsh raider today, as will a 7lbs turnaround in the weights. He was given a quiet time racing in the four requisite chases to qualify for Cheltenham, jumping and travelling well in most of those races. However he will surely be at his best when racing over extreme distances and he won a Grade 2 novice hurdle in very testing going at Haydock over 3m last season.
BIOLUMINESCENCE sidestepped Cheltenham to be prepared for a tilt at this prize and given her breeding that might turn out to be a correct decision. She is another who relishes testing ground and she showed her potential on testing ground when winning a Grade 3 Mares hurdle at Limerick last season over almost 3m.
She has taken well to fencing this season and had just the three runs in chases to qualify for this. She made an immediate impact by winning a Grade 2 at Limerick over Christmas and has raced well in defeat since, chasing home Dancing City over 3m1f at Naas before being outpaced over shorter by Spindleberry here in February. She will have been trained to be spot on for today and the extra distance can surely bring out some further improvement.
Recommended bets:
1pt each-way – Now Is The Hour – 5.00 Fairyhouse – 9/1 Ladbrokes (1/5 odds 1st 5)
1pt each-way – Bioluminescence – 5.00 Fairyhouse – 10/1 Ladbrokes (1/5 odds 1st 5)
