Fairyhouse 1.50

SEAN - Fairyhouse 1.50 Handicap Hurdle - 2 miles 7 furlongs and 165 yards (3 miles) - Soft - 13 run
 
The strong favourite is Ardhill who reversed what had become a bit of a disappointing profile with a facile win at Ascot a couple of months back. The improved form was explained by the use of first time Blinkers and the better Good to Soft going. The horse has been raised 18lbs on its most recent Irish rating and with the softer Going and no conviction that Blinkers will work as well again, I think it's opposable.
 
Glenquin Castle has racked up a 7 timer, very well placed on occasions between Fences and Hurdles but now ramped up a full Stone for it's last Hurdles win. The handicapper must be wondering where the ceiling is for this horse, it may be today, but I've said that the last 3 times. I'll oppose it again as there is one I particularly like.
 
Silver Sheen disappointed again for us when tipped over Christmas, it's possibly a word of caution in line with Ardhill too in that Silver Sheens best run was when winning at Warwick back in January 2020 a feat it's never really looked like replicating on home turf. It remains one I think will fire one day but hopefully NOT today.
 
Freewheelin Dylan is an Irish National winner but really does look to be in here for a spin. It would be a sound argument that you could say the same about RAVENHILL who has been in some very big and deep races since winning at the Cheltenham Festival in 2020. It's dropped into this Hurdle race off a mark just 2lbs above it's most recent Irish hurdle mark winning form. It's a big drop in Class and expectation but at the price has to be worth a small investment. If the engine remains and the horse enjoys a canter round the first circuit he would only have to pick up the bridle and enjoy racing again to obliterate these....stranger things have happened.
 
The one I think best priced though to step up is YOUNG DEV. It was a distant third last time but looked to be running into form and fitness on it's second run of the season. It's a horse that likes Fairyhouse, be it Hurdles or Chase and clearly 3 miles in soft / heavy Going is its optimum conditions, off a mark just a pound above it's runner up Hurdle run over Course and Distance, I think it's the each way value of the race.
 
TRACKER - Young Dev - shrapnel - Ravenhill