SEAN - Fairyhouse 12.55 - Handicap Chase - 3 miles 5 furlongs - 12 run - Yielding (probably a fair dollop of rain here too)

 

I'd have been quite keen on Waitnsee at a big price on better ground as the trip and mark aren't a problem and IF it did turn out to be dry and still Yielding he's one to have a small exchange dabble on near the off at nice prices.

 

Western Zara has a touch of "could be anything" about it upped in trip and if it gets the trip could hold place claims, The Dabbler ticks all of the right boxes but "rain" is a big negative for me and at the shortish price, for that reason alone I've left him off the list today.

 

Elliott runs three and of them I think that PUNITIVE who was stopping up the hill at Cheltenham over 3 miles and 2 furlongs last time is a better option today than Fakiera, who despite the market signals, has more to prove going beyond 3 miles for the first time, although rain would be a plus for this one. BRAESIDE has shown significant promise at times and is worth an e/w investment to an enhanced place at the prices. Davy Russell remains faithful and it's one of those that you just know has a big race in it if it just clicks on any given day. It;s hard to rule out LORD LARIAT  on its Course and Ditance Irish National win, its 9lbs higher than that day but has both the benefit of a run and also the proven form. Do they want a further penalty, well may be they are eyeing the Grand National at Aintree with this one and a nice win here would mean they could pop the horse away over the worst 2 months of the winter and prepare for the big one in early Spring.

 

TIP - Punitive / Tracker - Lord Lariat (shrapnel to enhanced place of you wish - Braeside)