Racecards
11:35 Fairyhouse (IRE)
Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase
- 5 Runners
- Distance: 2m
- Going: Soft
- Surface: Turf
- €13,000 added
- Winner: €7,800
- 2nd: €2,600
- 3rd: €1,299
- 4th: €650
- Form 12337-4
- Age 7
- Weight 11-12
- Trainer L Fowler
- Jockey K E Buckley
chased leader, 3rd halfway, pushed along and no impression when slight mistake 2 out, went moderate 2nd before last, kept on one pace
- Form 3/121-
- Age 5
- Weight 11-12
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey P Townend
made all, clear after 2nd, mistake 4th, 6 lengths lead halfway, travelled well entering straight and slight mistake 2 out, kept on well run-in, very easily
- Form 319U-35
- Age 6
- Weight 11-12
- Trainer E J O'Grady
- Jockey L P Dempsey
always rear, never a factor, no impression when slight mistake and almost unseated rider 3 out, weakened, tailed off
- Form 4/62211-
- Age 7
- Weight 11-12
- Trainer N Meade
- Jockey B J Cooper
chased leader, jumped high 2nd, 2nd halfway, pushed along and no impression on leader after 3 out, moderate 3rd when slow last, no extra
- Form U111/5
- Age 6
- Weight 11-12
- Trainer H De Bromhead
- Jockey Rachael Blackmore
ran 4th, never a factor, pushed along and no impression after 3 out, no threat in straight, kept on one pace
Verdict
EL FABIOLO arrived from France with a big reputation and easily landed a maiden hurdle at Tramore. He was then beaten a neck by Jonbon in a Grade 1 at Aintree before landing a novices' race at Punchestown. He's a high-class recruit to fences as is Colonel Mustard, beaten just under three lengths by Jonbon in an Ascot Grade 2 a year ago. He has the experience of a run over fences at Navan and will improve while Highland Charge came up against some top-class hurdlers before eventually completing a double with a victory in a Naas Grade 3 novices' event. Percy Warner beat the smart Low Sun to complete a hat-trick over hurdles here in January last year and will be all the better for his chasing debut at Navan last month. Top Bandit chased home the exciting Appreciate It at Punchestown on Monday.
Formwatch
Colonel Mustard (FR) 2-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, headway into 2nd 2 out, 3rd and no impression on winner before last, no extra run-in, 4th of 11, 9 1/4l behind Hollow Games (11-12) at Navan 2m 1f Yielding in Nov.
El Fabiolo (FR) 8-13fav (11-12) Settled behind leaders early, closer in 3rd halfway, mistake 2 out, ridden into 2nd entering straight, led approaching last, kept on well to assert run-in, won at Punchestown 2m Good - Yielding in Apr beating Ha D'Or (11-12) by 4l, 9 ran.
Harvey's Quay (IRE) 4-1 (12-0) Tracked leaders on inner, close 4th 3 out, disputed lead next, ridden and headed entering straight, dropped to 4th at last, no extra, 5th of 18, 6 1/2l behind Pike County (11-11) at Punchestown 2m hcp Yielding - Soft in Nov.
Highland Charge (IRE) 10-1 (11-1) Tracked leader, mistake 2nd, disputed before 2 out, ridden and edged left before last, led closing stages, edged slightly left and slightly bumped rival, all out, won at Naas 1m 7f (1) sft in Mar beating Vina Ardanza (11-1) by hd, 8 ran.
Percy Warner (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Mid-division, mistakes 1st and 7th, ridden in moderate 6th 3 out, soon no impression on leaders, 5th of 15, 34 1/2l behind Fil Dor (11-4) at Navan 2m 1f sft in Nov.
Top Bandit 15-2 (11-12) Raced in 2nd throughout, bumped slightly 1st, pushed along entering straight, challenged 2 out, ridden and no impression when slight mistake and stumbled last, no extra, kept on one pace, 2nd of 9, 7l behind Appreciate It (11-12) at Punchestown 2m sft in Dec.