Fairyhouse selections Monday 6th April
With an earlier Easter, the Irish National is the first of the big marathons to take place this spring and we have a very open looking contest with Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott saddling almost half of the 30 strong field. I have two selections against the field. We had a storming day on Saturday with wins for Bellarchi (14/1), Outlaw Peter (9/1) and Pilgrim (advised 7/1) whilst We’re Red and Blue was placed for the each-way bet (SP 6/1).
Fairyhouse 5.00: Soldier in Milan & Sa Majeste
Despite misgivings over his lack of experience, SOLDIER IN MILAN does look the outstanding candidate for the Irish National.
A wide margin winner of his only point over 3m on heavy ground, proving his stamina, he then showed he speed to win his only bumper at the Punchestown Festival, putting subsequent Cheltenham Festival winner King Rasko Grey firmly in his place.
Connections opted to miss out hurdling completely and he only had his first start over fences at Christmas when pulling up at Leopardstown (something clearly amiss). He has not looked back since though, finishing fourth in a decent race at Gowran next time. Perhaps the crucial bit of form was his win over 3m at Punchestown with nearest market rival Kiss Will behind him. His last start was over an inadequate 2m5f around the tight Thurles track, but he stayed on well for a close fourth that day and the extra mile today is definitely what he requires.
At much bigger odds it is to be hoped that SA MAJESTE is back on song as his most recent run at Naas suggested he was coming back to form.
This horse looked highly promising as a novice last season, winning twice over 3m including a defeat of Affordale Fury here last February. He then ran a cracker to be third at the Cheltenham Festival in the Kim Muir. He may well have been over the top when pulling up in this contest twelve months ago.
This season had started very poorly for the 8yo, a reasonable comeback at Punchestown when fourth over 2m5f being followed by no shows in the Paddy Power and at the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown. However he kept on nicely from the rear when third in the Munster National last month from his dropping mark and is 1lb lower at 135 today. He has run most of his best races when ridden positively and I am hoping that Aidan Kelly will get him competitive early today.
Recommended bets:
1pt each-way – Soldier in Milan – 5.0 Fairyhouse – 7/1 general (most bookies 1/5 odds 1st 6)
0.5pts each-way – Sa Majeste – 5.0 Fairyhouse – 50/1 William Hill (1/5 odds 1st 5)
