FAIRYHOUSE

3:50 POWERS WHISKEY IRISH GRAND NATIONAL CHASE (EXTENDED HANDICAP) (GRADE A) (5yo+) 3m5f

BEEF OR SALMON 12-0 ~ The end must be near for the talented veteran and winner of 10 Grade 1 races in Ireland. The Michael Hourigan trained 12yo isn't getting any younger and this could prove to be the swan song on his extremely successful career. Although he has yet to run over the distance the way he ran when winning the Irish Hennessy last season suggests he won't be wanting for stamina. As his trainer confesses he struggles to go the early pace in Graded company over 3 miles so this test of stamina could play to his strengths. The handicapper has dropped him to a mark of 160 but he has shown in the Betfair Chase and the Lexus Chase that he still possesses plenty of ability. He has to bounce back from a poor run last time out but if he does he has a good chance at a course where he has yet to finish outside the first three in 5 starts.

FORGET THE PAST 11-3 ~ 3rd in the worst Gold Cup in recent memory when chasing home War Of Attrition in 2005. Hasn't really reached the same heights since but showed encouraging signs when winning on his seasonal reappearance. That race has worked out well enough but he was stuffed out of sight by The Listener when competing in the Grade 1 John Durkan Memorial Chase. His sights were then lowered and he ran in a decent Leopardstown handicap chase where he was not disgraced in 6th. Those two runs highlight connections dilemma as he doesn't look good enough for graded races these days but is too high in the handicap. The handicapper has dropped him 2lbs but it doesn't look enough and he hasn't been running as if crying out for the step up in trip.

BALLISTRAW 11-1 ~ Made the transition from Hunter Chases to handicap company last season and ran a massive race to finish 2nd, behind Cane Brake, in the Irish Paddy Power Chase. He struggled to match that form this season until running the race of his life in the Grade 2 Red Mills Chase. It came as a shock to everyone, including his trainer, when beating a select field that included Gold Cup winner Kicking King over a trip that can be considered short of his best. Hi Cloy a consistent standard bearer was a well beaten 4th and the 2nd Knight Legend ran a massive race in the Ryanair Chase. The Mrs John Harrington trained Knight Legend was the only horse to challenge Our Vic and paid for it late on so can be rated better than the bare form. The handicapper has punished Ballistraw with a 13lbs rise in the ratings but it was fully earnt. The horse has always looked a stayer so the step up in trip should suit but the drying ground would be an unknown although there is nothing to suggest it won't suit and it may help him get the extra 5 furlongs.

ALEXANDER TAIPAN 10-12 ~ Willie Mullins trained son of Taipan was once thought of by his trainer as a Grade 1 horse. He hasn't lived up to expectations but he has hinted occasionally that he possesses plenty enough ability. As a novice last season he was running a big race behind Mister Top Notch in the Grade 1 Dr. P.J.Moriarty Novice Chase but fell at the last when still in contention. The winner has given the form a strong look this season and the front two pulled clear of the second group which contained Vic Venturi, One Cool Cookie and Chelsea Harbour. He was turned out again in handicap company and won despite looking despite being taken off his feet over the trip on the fast ground. He has been campaigned this season mainly over hurdles where he hasn't been setting the world alight but he was always better chaser than a hurdler and he confirmed this when running his best race of the season on his only run over the larger obstacles. Chasing home the multiple Grade 1 winning mare Cailin Alainn at Thurles was no disgrace and confirmed his well being. The big step up in trip in the Irish National is a big unknown as the only time the horse has run over 3 miles was when he fell over hurdles. However the horse runs as if crying out for a step up in trip and the drying ground will help his cause. The way the horse has been campaigned over mainly timber this season just gives me the impression that the horse has been laid out for a big handicap chase and he has able assistance in the shape of Ruby Walsh.

CAILIN ALAINN 10-10 ~ Was a seriously impressive novice last season and as a result the Charles Byrne mare started second favourite for the Sun Alliance behind the mighty Denman. Unfortunately, as she had done in the Letheby And Christopher Chase the run before, she fell at the tricky third last fence. Connections will be pleased to see the back of that fence and things clearly haven't gone well since with her reappearance delayed until last month. She clearly was better for the run and when next seen out at Thurles see looked more like her old self. She beat Alexander Taipan over a trip that was short of what could be considered her optimum. The step up to 3½ miles is an unknown but it looks as if the handicapper has taken a chance giving her a mark of 142 so if she does stay then she should be involved at the business end.

NOTRE PERE 10-7 ~ Jim Dreapers 7yo gelding only has one gear and it's relentless. When stamina and not speed is the order of the day this horse comes into his own. When he won the Grade 1 Knight Frank Ganly Walters Novice Chase he was done for toe at a couple of occasions but keeps on and on and on and was the equine equivalent of Chinese water torture. The 2nd Abbeybraney has given the form a decent look when finishing behind J'y Vole but Notre Pere hasn't reached the same level. That can be put down to an uncharacteristic jumping error next time out but his effort when last seen was disappointing despite conditions not being to the horses advantage. This is the horses’ first foray into handicap company and he looks nicely treated considering he is likely to improve for the step up in trip. One day he looks the sort for the National as all he does is jump and stay but the Irish National looks the perfect target at this stage and if back to the form he showed before the New Year then he has to be considered.

MATTOCK RANGER 10-6 ~ Ran as if a non-stayer when running over 3 miles as a novice but the application of blinkers this season seem to have worked the oracle. Stepped up to 3½ in the Cork National he saw the trip out well to hold off the challenge from Aka Jake. That rival has since franked the form at Doncaster behind King Harald and the form looks decent with the front two pulling miles clear of the rest of the field. Pulled up when yard were in their well documented slump he bounced back to finish 2nd in a good handicap at Leopardstown when getting out paced by the winner. Return to 3½ miles should help and the drying ground is in his favour but I can't bring myself to back any horse from this yard at the moment. Noel Meade had an awful winter but things in early March looked to have returned to normal with the winners returning. However after a bad Cheltenham his horses have once again looked to be under a cloud which seemed to be confirmed yesterday. Conditions look to be in his favour and if the yard were in form he would have to be a serious contender but the yard need to hint of a return to form before he can be backed with any confidence.

SIR FREDERICK 10-5 ~ Needs his conditions to be seen at his best and today he has them. Best when going right handed and when fresh so todays track, at which he has won at before, and his 5 month break should have freshened him up. The drying conditions should aid his cause but he is on an 11lbs higher mark than when winning the Galway Plate and the trip is a complete unknown.

FLINTOFF 10-4 ~ Seemed to be a heavy ground specialist but put that theory to bed when running a massive race in the Red Square Vodka Gold Cup Chase at Haydock. At one point he looked like he might take the race but was worried out of it late on by the Welsh National winner Miko De Beauchene. The front two pulled clear of the rest and that looked very good form. However the old Flintoff returned at Uttoxeter and he was pulled up in the Midlands National. Uttoxeter is a funny track where form seems to take a back seat and his supporters must be hoping that he simply didn't take to the tight track. The drying ground shouldn't help his cause but unlike many in the field he is a confirmed stayer and the yard are in good form. The young apprentice who was on at Haydock is back on so maybe a repeat performance is expected but you would want a fair price to chance your luck that he is on a going day.

PRIESTS LEAP 10-4 ~ Appeared to be a horse with no obvious direction until running a massive race in the Thyestes Handicap Chase at Gowran Park. He ran on well to pick off a decent field of staying chasers and the way he finished the race suggested the Irish National would be the target. Raised 11lbs for that victory he could still be on the upgrade and capable of defying that penalty as his trainer seems to have finally found the key to him. Best to ignore his effort over an inadequate 2m2f at Thurles and back over a trip he has to enter calculations. The drying ground may prove his undoing but the evidence isn't conclusive and he maybe just as effective on it as he is in heavy ground.

ROYAL COUNTY STAR 10-4 ~ The bookies have been making noises about a potential mega pay out if the Tony Martin trained 9yo justifies favouritism. They should be worried as the horses form is impressive and he there seems little doubt he is still on the upgrade. After easily winning a beginners chase at todays course he was sent handicapping. Sent off a well backed favourite he ran as if the trip was plenty short enough but still got up to win on the run in. Connections then sent him to Listowel for the Kerry National Handicap Chase but he fell at the 2nd last when moving to challenge. Compensation was only around the corner though as Royal County Star won connections £44K when winning the Troytown Handicap Chase at Navan. He travelled supremely and ran on well as if the step up in trip won't inconvience him but his chances were almost dashed by a bad error 2 out. That must be the main worry for his followers as he can put in a bad error and it all depends whether it'll be terminal to his chances but if the horse can survive it liked he did at Navan and Punchestown then he'll be hard to beat. The gelding has been hit with a 12lbs hike in the ratings for the Troystown win so it is possible that my anchor the horse over a trip the horse has yet to tackle but the evidence hints that the horse is still on the upgrade and he runs as if the further he goes the better he is.

HOMER WELLS 10-3 ~ Loves the mud more than a potbelly pig so todays drying conditions appear to have gone against him. Fairyhouse is a track though that does suit with 2 wins and 2 placed efforts in four starts. The last time the Willie Mullins trained 10yo appeared at the track he recorded his finest moment over fences when winning the Grade 2 Bobbyjo Chase. He had several very good staying chasers in behind that day and that really highlighted what a talented horse he is when conditions are right. It's a shame then for connections that the rain has stayed away but the way the horse has been running this season suggests his best days are behind him anyway. On the evidence of his Gowran Park 6th behind Priests Leap he would struggle to confirm form at the revised weights especially on this livelier ground.

VIC VENTURI 10-3 ~ One of the best Irish novice hurdlers two seasons ago but he doesn't seem to have taken as well to fences. He had problems with his breathing and a wind operation at the beginning of last year which appeared to have helped. He ended up running a big race in the Jewson at last years Cheltenham festival but was outclassed in a Grade 1 Champion Novice Chase at the Punchestown festival. This season he had three spins over timber and the best came when chasing home Snowy Morning. He didn't appear to get home in a 3 mile handicap hurdle so it has to be seriously questioned whether he'll enjoy this stamina sapping trip and on all known evidence he looks a non-stayer. He was outclassed in the Grade 1 Bobbyjo Chase behind Afistfullofdollars and the same result (pulled up) looks likely again in this competitive heat.

COOL RUNNING 10-2 ~ Hasn't run since October, probably to avoid the winter ground but that absence shouldn't stop him from showing his best form though as his record fresh reads 1132. The drying ground should be music to connections ears and it puts the horse in with a chance at a price. 3rd in the Galway Plate behind Sir Frederick he is 12lbs better off with that rival today and his runs at Clonmel and Tipperary have worked out well. He'll need to brush up his jumping though if he is to challenge and his stamina is far from certain to hold up over a trip he has yet to face.

BALLYCULLEN BOY 10-0 ~ Took 8 attempts over hurdles before the gelding managed to break his duck over timber. Once he did though he was sent chasing and the Mrs Maureen Danagher trained 8yo hasn’t looked back since. After two wins in two attempts over hurdles his unbeaten record was ended when he fell when traveling well two from home at Galway. A confidence booster over hurdles was followed up by an excellent 2nd in the Kerry National. He was sent off favourite for a similar race at Limerick next time out but he couldn’t reproduce the same level of form. The suggestion was that the horse was better left handed but he had shown good form at the track before and it is more likely that his effort at Listowel took the edge off him in what was a hard race. He was given a break and was pulled up on his reappearance but fitter for that effort he ran a better race next time out, this time over hurdles, behind Cooldine. Back over fences and on better ground he should be able to bounce back to form but the extra 5 furlongs is an unknown and he is 2lbs out of the handicap.

NEWBAY PROP 10-0 ~ Ex-hunter chaser who recorded his first win under rules over course and distance two years ago. The Tony Martin trained 9yo is all about stamina and he has also finished 3rd in the Midlands National and more recently 4th in the Eider Chase. After his Uttoxeter effort the wheels seem to come off but with the application of blinkers this season he has be given a second wind. He won the Irish Paddy Power Chase and then finished 3rd behind Priests Leap in the Thyestes. He’s only 5lbs better off with that rival today so he wouldn’t be sure to reverse the form if running again over 3 miles but as this trip brings out the best in him he has a chance of turning around the form. His jumping in his last two runs though has let him down and bad blunders have ruined his chances in both the Eider and the Kim Muir. He is also 3lbs out of the handicap but he has been running off 134 in the UK and Barry Geraghty, who rode him when he won the Paddy Power Chase, takes the ride.

BARROW DRIVE 10-0 ~ Veteran 12yo who hasn’t won for 3 years and a change in fortunes looks extremely unlikely for a horse who is 6lbs out of the handicap.

OODACHEE 10-0 ~ Finds precious little off the bridle and idles once he hits the front. The latter has proven to be less of a problem recently as the horse hasn’t been able to get into such a position. He has been comfortably held by a number of todays rivals in a couple of competitive staying handicap chases and the same result looks likely today from 6lbs out of the handicap.

A NEW STORY 10-0 ~ 3rd in this last two years ago but was beaten when unseating his rider 3 out last season. Previously a consistent sort who always seemed to finish in the money in the big staying handicap chases he went off the boil this season. However as a result he dropped to a fair mark and ran an excellent race at the Cheltenham festival on the cross country course. It could be that the four miles played to his strength as he stays all day but has looked very slow recently. Unfortunately the horse is 7lbs out of the handicap which raises the horse to a higher mark than he had when looking held in this race last year. The apprentice takes off 5lbs but I doubt that will prove enough to give the horse a chance.

HEAR THE ECHO 10-0 ~ He’s been running as if crying out for a stamina sapping trip but as he has proven this season he seems to need testing ground to be seen to best effect. The drying ground won’t help him and he is 7lbs out of the handicap but this trip should bring around an improvement in form and he could defy his career high mark.

WELL RUN 10-0 ~ Won the Ulster National last time out in convincing fashion proving that the trip should hold no fears. On 19lbs higher mark if you include what the horse has to carrying being 9lbs out of the handicap. One of the few Noel Meade horses who have run well this season so possible that the yards form hasn’t affected the horse. Not one to dismiss lightly as the 7yo is a progressive chaser and may prove to be a very smart staying handicap chaser.

OUTLIER 10-0 ~ Started joint favourite last season for the Red Square Vodka Gold Cup Chase at Haydock after looking like a good progressive staying chaser. However after pulling up in that race the wheels have come off some what and the horse has looked a shadow of his former self. 11lbs out of the handicap but that wouldn’t inconvience the horse if he was back to the form he showed when winning the Peter Marsh Chase by 12 lengths off only a 3lbs lower mark. Like stable mate Flintoff the horse is talented but isn’t a glowing reference for his trainer.

HE’S ON HIS WAY 10-0 ~ Ran a good race last time out at Cork but was probably flattered by his proximity to In The High Grass in the 4 runner race. He goes well at Fairyhouse but he didn’t give the impression he was lovely the trip when finishing 3rd behind Sea Diva over course and distance. Faces a monumental task to win from 16lbs out of the handicap.

COOLNAHILLA 10-0 ~ 5th and 6th in this race in 2005 and 2006 respectively but was off the track for two years when returning this February. Runs from 18lbs out of the handicap and would have to produce a career best effort as a 12yo to challenge.

ARDLEA STAR 10-0 ~ Won at 50/1 when stepped up to 3 miles for the first time but has struggled in handicapper off a mark of 97 so the 132 he has to carry today will be a big ask.

CONCLUSION

If Beef Or Salmon was to repeat the feat Brown Lad managed in 1978 then it would cap a fine career. However he failed to concede top weight in his only other run in handicap company and the today the same result may apply. The horses that are in the final shortlist include:

Ballistraw, Cailin Alainn, Notre Pere, Priest Leap, Royal County Star, Ballycullen Boy, Newbay Prop and Hear The Echo.

Ballistraw was impressive last time out but he is 18lbs higher than when finishing 2nd in the Paddy Power Chase so he faces a tough ask. Ballycullen Boy comes into contention after his Kerry National 2nd but this trip and a 6lbs higher mark may prove too much. Priests Leap could still be anchored by his 11 higher mark over this trip, although that is far from certain he isn’t a great price. The class act in the field Cailin Alainn warrants plenty of respect off a mark of 142 but the trip is an unknown and this race was more of an after thought. Royal County Star is still on the upgrade and runs as if this test should suit but he has more fences to jump and he can put in the odd shocker. Of those horses only Newbay Prop has won over the distance but the trip looks like it will bring out the best in Notre Pere and Hear The Echo. Newbay Prop will need to jump better than he has recently but Notre Pere has looked tailor made for this challenge. As long as the big field doesn’t worry him then he has a big chance as condition look to be in his favour and he has proven class. At a big price Hear The Echo should run well as this Grade 2 winner needs a good test and has been refreshed up for a bid from out of the handicap.

1pt EACH WAY - NOTRE PERE @ 14/1
1pt EACH WAY - HEAR THE ECHO @ 40/1

RESULT

NOTRE PERE 3rd = +2.5pts
HEAR THE ECHO 1st = +50pts