N.H. racing at Fairyhouse (Ireland), Plumpton and Towcester

By far the best racing today is the first day of the Fairyhouse Easter Festival in Ireland, featuring the Powers Gold Cup over 2 1/2 miles at 16.30 CET. This has attracted a strong field of 10 runners, 6 of them last-time-out winners, but surprisingly no challengers from Britain. Willie Mullins sets a poser here by saddling two- Kempes (Tony McCoy), an easy Thurles winner last time, and first or second on 8 of his last 9 starts, and Shakervilz (Ruby Walsh).

The jockey bookings mean nothing, as Kempes is owned by JP McManus, who retains McCoy, and there is probably little between them. Zaarito (Colm Murphy/ Davy Condon) is a big danger if he stays on his feet - he has fallen on 4 of his last 8 starts, while Let Yourself Go (Adrian Maguire/ Barry Geraghty) and Jagoes Mills (Tom O´Leary/ Davy Russell), hot favourite when beaten by Kempes last time, are two more with chances.

It could be another big payday for Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh, who also have excellent prospects in the two main supporting features, a novice hurdle at 15.25 with Blackstairmountain, a Cheltenham flop, whose main opponent looks to be Luska Lad, and Morning Supreme, unbeaten in 3 starts this season, who goes for the mares novice hurdle at 15.55.

The sport on offer at the two British meetings is far inferior, but we must give another chance to Adelar (Venetia Williams/ Aidan Coleman), who runs in the opening novice hurdle at 15.10 at Towcester. This ex-Baltromei runner was unlucky not win a group race on the flat last year, and although he has been an expensive flop on his two British starts over hurdles, he must surely be capable of winning before long. As a son of Samum he should be able to handle the heavy ground. Also at Towcester, Theologist (Dr. Richard Newland/ Richard Johnson) should win the maiden hurdle at 17.10.

At Plumpton, John and Rhys Flint can land a double with Star Galaxy, top weight in the novice handicap chase at 16.00 and Raquel White, who is going for a hat-trick in the handicap hurdle half an hour later. German-bred Fin Vin de Leu (Charlie Mann/ Peter Toole), another who cut no ice at Cheltenham, can get back on the winning trail in the novice hurdle here at 15.00.