FAIRYHOUSE

2:15 WEATHERBYS IRELAND GSB HURDLE (GRADE 3) (4yo) 2m

C'EST CA 9-4 ~ To be frank this son of Groom Dancer was useless on the flat but hurdles really seem to have brought out the best in this horse. After an encouraging debut at Galway the Willie Mullins trained gelding broke his maiden at Punchestown in impressive fashion leading the field a merry dance. He repeated the dose at Fairyhouse and looked a serious beast that would have had a decent chance of making a mark in the Triumph hurdle. Interesting then that connections have come here instead of going to Cheltenham especially after his impressive post racing racecourse gallop a couple of weeks ago. Although both his wins have been in weaker fields than he faces today he couldn't have done it any easier and looks to have a bright future. Todays field doesn't look the strongest and it could be a good stepping stone onto bigger and better things over hurdles.

PACO JACK 9-4 ~ Looked likely to develop into a serious horse at the beginning of the season but found the step up from winning weak early season novice hurdles to graded level a step too far. The Joseph Crowley trained 4yo produced his best effort when finishing 2nd over course and distance but he had the run of the race out in front. Saddled with a 4lbs penalty he will struggle to concede that to too many of his rivals and the likely strong pace should mean he won't get things his own way out in front.

ALTNADUA 9-0 ~ Looked a decidedly average novice hurdler who needed a drop into handicap company but pulled an improving performance out of the bag when beating Bouchard at Punchestown. Next time out he was stuffed out of sight when stepped up into graded company over course and distance. It could be that he needed the run after a small break but it was still a disappointing performance. It's also possible though that he was flattered by his novice hurdle win and that the horse is simply that good. The form of that novice win probably looks better than it is with the presence of Harper Valley in 3rd. That horse seemed to be a different animal with the blinkers applied at Cheltenham and the 4th horse Prospectorous went out like a light two from home as if something was amiss. The 2nd Bouchard is probably the horse to take out of the race as he should have won but for a bad jump at the last in what was only his second start over hurdles. The Michael Halford trained gelding looks a consistent sort but is probably short of graded company.

BANIAN 9-0 ~ Bought for £14k as a 2yo but was sent to the sales early this year but was unsold. Half brother to french listed hurdler Le Seychellois and the yard have a 19% strike rate in novice hurdles this season. Little else to get excited about and this looks a bold bid from connections on his racecourse debut.

BOUCHARD 9-0 ~ Hinted as a horse with ability when running well in a couple of handicaps towards the back end of last years flat season. Made a moderate debut over timber but better for that experience he ran a much better race behind Altnadua at Punchestown. If he hadn't made a mess of the last he may have won and as an in-experienced horse he can be expected to improve on the bare form. He ran in the Grade 2 Winning Fair Juvenile Hurdle over course and distance but looked outclassed finishing a distant 4th. Still lightly race he is open to further improvement but the son of Kyllachy will have to.

CRY PRESTO 9-0 ~ Yet to finish in the frame in 8 starts over hurdles and is up against it today.

GLENSTAL ABBEY 9-0 ~ Unraced under rules but made one start on the flat for Ballydoyle in a Leopardstown maiden. That maiden has worked out so well it was probably not far off a listed event. It was an encouraging 5th behind Mores Wells and it makes him an interesting recruit to the jumping sphere. A costly 250,000 euros as a 1yo and things clearly haven’t gone to plan but making his debut for J P McManus he deserves particular attention in the market.

RIGHT OR WRONG 9-0 ~ Took 5 attempts in maiden company to get off the mark, beating Beau Michael. That rival has since gone on become a multiple graded winner but that rival has progressed no end and it's probably unwise to take that at face value. Beau Michael has since turned the tables in convincing fashion and Gay Sloane who was beaten 7 lengths into 5th was subsequently beaten 17 lengths by C'est Ca. Well beaten when the yard were in their well documented slump the 4yo bounced back at Navan to finish 2nd behind Old Si. An exposed performer he looks the stable second string on jockey bookings and the vast majority of the yards runners have been running very poorly in the last couple of weeks.

TWO TIMER 9-0 ~ Still a maiden on the flat the Michael O'Brien trained gelding made an encouraging start under rules when finishing 6th of 30 in a Navan maiden. Should improve for the experience but will need to as the son of Selkirk is held by Posh Lady and Miss Fancy Pants.

MISS FANCY PANTS 10-9 ~ The Noel Meade filly made her debut at the beginning of the season and finished 2nd in an average novice hurdle. The daughter of Act One wasn’t seen again till this month when she won despite her trainer believing she wasn’t fit enough. That was a weak race but she did it well enough and should be better for the outing. Unfortunately the yards runners are still a little hit and miss so she couldn’t be backed with any confidence.

POSH LADY 10-9 ~ Beaten more than 5 lengths by Miss Fancy Pants on her second start at Navan last time out. More needed judging by that effort and up against it.

SESANTA 10-9 ~ Took a couple of runs to take to hurdles but recorded a fine win at Thurles beating her 1/4 stable mate Dani California by 7 lengths. Followed that effort up with a fine 3rd in the Grade 3 Punchestown Juvenile Hurdle behind Beau Michael. Personal Column who only beat Sesanta by a head has since beaten Won In The Dark in a grade 2 and finished 7th in the Triumph hurdle. So it would have disappointment connections that she couldn’t repeat that performance when down the field in the Grade 2 Spring Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown. She didn’t look the same beast at Leopardstown but when trying to bounce back she unseated her rider 3 from home over course and distance.

CONCLUSION

The shortlist for the race includes C’Est Ca, Glenstal Abbey and Sesanta

Glenstal Abbey has yet to jump a hurdle in anger and although his flat profile is very interesting a watching brief this time may prove the right option. However if the son of Montjeu was to be heavily back it would be wise to take note. Stable mates C’Est Ca and Sesanta look to be the class acts in the field and there is no clear first string or second string as their jockeys simply ride the horse they have previously ridden. C’Est Ca although yet to run on ground this fast is unexposed and potentially could be a grade 1 winner. Sesanta though has questions to answer after two disappointing efforts but is more exposed than her stable mate and looks a decent horse just shy of top notch and she may have to play the bridesmaid to her stable mate

1pt WIN - C’EST CA @ 3.8

RESULT

C’EST CA 3rd = 1pt