3 Grade One races at Fairyhouse

The Irish authorities have acted with commendable speed in transferring last Sunday´s abandoned Fairyhouse fixture, featuring three Grade One races, to today. Star of the show will probably be Dunguib (Philip Fenton/ Mr BT O´Connell), already hot favourite for the novice hurdle at Cheltenham next March, who contests the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at 13.45. Dunguib has won both his hurdles starts in impressive style after an excellent campaign in bumpers last season.

He was disqualified (for failing a dope test) after winning at Punchstown, the only blot on his record, and this race awarded to Sweeps Hill (John Kiely/ Tony McCoy), who is as a result theoretically unbeaten. They meet at level weights today and it would be surprising if Dunguib cannot repeat his victory, this time we hope without any later problems. There should be a German-bred winner of the Hattons Grace Hurdle at 14.50, as Catch Me (Edward O´Grady/ Andrew McNamara) and Aitmatov (Noel Meade/ Barry Geraghty) stand out on all known form. Aitmatov´s owner died last week (he would not have run on Sunday), but he is expected to turn out today, however in our view Catch Me, who fell over fences last time, is the one to beat. The Drinmore Novice Chase at 14.20 is a very open race, but we expect Noel Meade´s pair Jered (McCoy) and Pandorama (Davy Condon) to take all the beating, though Pesoto (O´Grady/ McNamara) looks a big danger. Two more German-breds who might run well here ar e Manhattan Boy in the handicap chase at 13.15 and Ten Fires in the handicap hurdle at 15.55.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Dooneys Gate - Dante Hall - Shazand
2. Race: Dunguib - Sweeps Hill - Some Present
3. Race: Pesoto - Alpha Ridge - Pandorama
4. Race: Catch Me - Aitmatov - Ninetieth Minute
5. Race: Give It Time - Shuil Aris - Here Comes Sally
6. Race: Lochan Lacha - Hoopy - Bigbiggerbiggest
7. Race: Arvika Ligeonniere - Al Ferof - Shuil Dearg