Irish racing today

the big Easter meeting at Fairyhouse begins today with a strong card, featuring 3 graded races.Main event is the Powers Gold Cup, a novice chase over 2 1/2 miles at 16.45 CET. Willie Mullins launches a strong challenge, with 4 of the 10 runners, of whom Ruby Walsh´s mount Golden Silver is presumably the pick. However he faces tough opposition from Traffoprd lad (Dusrty Shehy/ Tom Doyl), thgird to Cooldin last tim, Joncol (Paul Nolan/ Paddy Flood), winner of 5 of his last 6 races, and the lightly-raced but highly-rated Aran Concerto (Noel Meade/ Paul Carberry). Th mares novice hurdle at 15.45 has 16 runners, but on form should lie between Oligarch Society (Mike O´Brien/ Davy Russell) and Voler la Vedette (Colm Murphy/ Ruby Walsh), while the novice hurdle half an hour later should mainly concern Donnas Palm (Meade/ Carberry) and Kempes (Mullins/ Walsh). At Cork there is a mixed card with 3 flat races, 3 over jumps and a bumper, with huge fields in all the N.H. events. As Willi e Mullins has engaged Ruby Walsh at Fairyhouse, he uses sister Katie here to partner Fred´s Benefit, top-weight in the main event, a valuable handicap hurdle at 16.55, but the most interesting jockey booking is surely for Tony McCoy, who rides here in preference to the much richer races at Fairyhouse. His 3 rides for JP McManus, Line Ball at 16.55, Marhaba Million at 17.25 and Lismakeery at 17.55 are all on the short list.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Any Bets - Blood Diamond - In The Haven
2. Race: Oligarch Society - Voler La Vedette - Itsallaracket
3. Race: Kempes - Fisher Bridge - Puyol
4. Race: Trafford Lad - Golden Silver - Joncol
5. Race: Corskeagh Royale - Uimhiraceathair - Bit Of A Devil
6. Race: Aggie`S Lad - Peplum - Golden Empire
7. Race: Corkonian - Luska Lad - Spencer`S Hill