Fairyhouse and 3 more N.H. meetings

Plenty of action for N.H. fans today with easily the best cards in Ireland. Fairyhouse begins its 3 day Easter meeting and the highlight is the Grade One Powers Gold Cup, a 2 1/2 miles chase at 17.05 CET. German-bred Noble Prince (Paul Nolan/ Tony McCoy) won in excellent style at the Cheltenham Festival and a repetition of that form should see him take this. Loosen my Load (Harry de Bromhead/ Andrew Lynch) was third that day, beaten 9 lengths, and there seems to reason why he should reverse that form, but Realt Dubh (Noel Meade/ Paul Carberry) is more of a threat. The question mark here is Mikael d´Haguenet (Willie Mullins/ Ruby Walsh), who looked destined for the top when winning 6 successive races in 2008/9 but has been struggling this season. Nolan and McCoy can also win the Grade Two mares novice hurdle at 15.20 with Golden Sunbird, although Our Girl Sally (Mrs. Dobbs/ Barry Geraghty) could be a problem; she has won her last 5 races but possibly needs softer going.

There are only 5 runners in the Imperial Call Chase at 17.10 at Cork (otherwise there are mainly huge fields at the two irish meetings) which should lie between Roberto Goldback (Jessica Harrington/ Robbie Power) and Let Yourself Go (Adrian Maguire/ Steve Hassett), both of whom also prefer more cut in the ground. However Roberto gets weight from his rival and should be good enough. Salesin (Boots and Slippers Madden) is the likely favourite for the handicap hurdle at 16.50; the Lomitas gelding is unbeaten at this track, but we give slight preference to Araucaria (Jon Kiely/TC Carroll), who looked useful when winning twice in the autumn and has been running in good company since.

There are some small fields at the two British N.H. meetings, and the quality is poor as well. German-bred Lava Lamp (Evan Williams/ Paul Moloney) - a half-brother to Group One winner Lady Marian- made an excellent debut over hurdles when 5th to top-class Zarkendar at Kempton, and that form gives him an outstanding chance of winning the maiden hurdle at 15.00 at Plumpton. Trainer and jockey can follow up with Alla Svelta at 16.10 and also have a chance with Peaceful Means in the handicap hurdle at 17.15; however here we prefer bottom weight Just Beware (Zoe Davison/ Gemma Gracey-Davison), a course specialist, and Ragdolliana (M.McGrath/ Leighton Aspell), runner-up over this CD last time.

The horse that beat Ragdolliana, Galliotto (Gary and Jamie Moore) runs in the opener at Towcester, which should give us a line to the form. We also like Meridiem (Sean Regan/ Chris Honour) who showed improved form to win over this CD last time and can improve further to take the handicap hurdle at 16.25. Nicky Henderson continues in great form and can land a short-priced double here with Dancing Dude at 17.20 and Brave Alliance an hour later; Andrew Tinkler does the steering. .