Racecards
13:10 Fairyhouse (IRE)
Bar One Racing Royal Bond Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) (Class 1)
- 7 Runners
- Distance: 2m
- Going: Good to Yielding (Yielding in places)
- Surface: Turf
- €85,000 added
- Winner: €50,150
- 2nd: €16,150
- 3rd: €7,650
- 4th: €3,400

- Form 11
- Age 5
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 137
- Trainer G Elliott
- Jockey B J Geraghty
refused to race

- Form 4-113
- Age 5
- Weight 11-10
- Trainer N Meade
- Jockey S W Flanagan
tracked leader, ran freely, disputed briefly 3 out, pushed along in 3rd before next, ridden and no impression on winner approaching last, kept on one pace

- Form 16111
- Age 5
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 138
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey Ruby Walsh
towards rear, closer 3 out, pushed along and badly hampered next, ridden and no impression in 4th when not fluent last, kept on one pace

- Form 1
- Age 5
- Weight 11-10
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey P Townend
chased leaders, 4th halfway, not fluent 5th, closer 3 out and ridden to go 2nd after next, no impression on winner before last, kept on one pace

- Form 1
- Age 4
- Weight 11-7
- Trainer H De Bromhead
- Jockey B J Cooper
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, progress 3 out, pushed along to go 2nd and fell next

- Form 1-11111
- Age 6
- Weight 11-3
- Official Rating 140
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey D E Mullins
led, joined briefly 3 out, jumped left next, ridden to go 4 lengths clear approaching last, kept on well run-in

- Form 1-21
- Age 4
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer Mrs J Harrington
- Jockey R M Power
towards rear, closer 3 out, pushed along and badly hampered next, no extra
Previous results
In depth
Verdict
Willie Mullins has won the last two and has a trio entered this time. Ruby Walsh has chosen PENHILL over the very impressive Naas winner Saturnas and the prolific Airlie Beach and his mount can justify the faith. He didn't jump fluently when landing a Grade 3 at Tipperary in October and will need to do better here but gets the vote in an intriguing event. Labaik has been rejuvenated by Gordon Elliott having refused to race on his last two starts on the Flat and he also landed a Grade 3 last time though the opposition here looks tougher. Peace News won on the Flat in France and made a very promising start over timber at Cork where he only had to be eased into the lead and won with plenty in hand. Bryan Cooper rides him rather than Le Martalin while the four-year-old Forge Meadow only scrambled home in a Wexford maiden.
Formwatch
Labaik (FR) 11-4 (11-1) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, not fluent 3 out, 4th and switched right before next, pushed along and progress in 3rd approaching last, ridden and quickened well to lead run-in, kept on well, won at Navan 2m (1) Yielding - Soft in Nov beating Mick Jazz (11-1) by 1 3/4l, 5 ran.
Le Martalin (FR) 6-5fav (11-1) Tracked leader, ran freely, mistake 1st, led next, slight mistake 3 out, pushed along and headed before last, ridden and no impression in 3rd run-in, 3rd of 5, 4l behind Labaik (11-1) at Navan 2m (1) Yielding - Soft in Nov.
Penhill Evensfav (11-8) Chased leaders, not fluent 1st, 4th halfway, left 3rd 4 out, smooth progress to lead entering straight, drew clear after 2 out, slight mistake last, pushed out and kept on run-in, won at Tipperary 2m (1) sft in Oct beating Balzac Turgot (11-1) by 4 1/2l, 5 ran.
Saturnas (FR) 11-8fav (11-12) Disputed lead early, led from 3rd, went clear travelling well after 2 out, pushed along and clear run-in, stayed on strongly, easily, won at Naas 2m mdn Yielding - Soft in Nov beating Valgor Du Ronceray (11-12) by 8l, 22 ran.
Peace News (GER) 7-4fav (11-7) Disputed lead early, close up, 2nd from 3rd, led approaching straight, joined 3 out, led again between last 2, pushed out to assert and stayed on well closing stages, won at Cork 2m mdn Soft - Heavy in Nov beating Chirico Vallis (11-7) by 2 1/2l, 24 ran.
Airlie Beach (IRE) 4-6fav (11-3) Made all, not fluent 4th, pressed 2 out, ridden and kept on well run-in, won at Down Royal 2m (1) gd in Nov beating Shattered Love (10-10) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Forge Meadow (IRE) 15-8 (11-4) Tracked leaders on inner, mistake 1st, went 2nd 5 out, ridden in close 2nd from 2 out, disputed lead approaching last, stayed on well run-in to lead narrowly close home, won at Wexford 2m mdn Soft - Heavy in Nov beating Toe The Line (11-7) by shd, 14 ran.