Easter Saturday is upon us, so that means Fairyhouse betting tips for the first day of their Easter Festival. On a busy day of horse racing in the UK and Ireland that also includes jumps action at Carlisle, the Queen’s Cup at Musselburgh and the return of the Flat at Cork, these are our best bets.
Fairyhouse betting tips – Hurricane Cliff appeals most on handicap debut
In the €80,000 Grade A Rybo Handicap Hurdle over 2m at Fairyhouse (16:05), Hurricane Cliff makes his bow in this sphere over obstacles. Trained by Henry De Bromhead, this five-year-old Canford Cliffs gelding has winning form from sounder surfaces on the Flat.
He gave 5lb and a half-length beating to subsequent winner Great House on the level at Gowran Park. Hurricane Cliff soon went hurdling, chasing home the now 132-rated Indiana Jones home on debut at Cork. Although then fifth at Leopardstown’s Christmas Festival, he again hit the frame when runner-up to Frere Tuck at Punchestown.
The third home, Lifetime Ambition, won at Limerick last week, so that advertises the form. As Hurricane Cliff also finished in front of Colonel Mustard, who had previously chased home Supreme Novices’ Hurdle runner-up Ballyadam, that reads well in the context of this handicap.
When last in action at Naas, he finally got his head in front. The way that Hurricane Cliff won going away from the well-regarded Captain Kangaroo meant he was value for more than the winning margin of 2 1/2 lengths. A 5lb rise in his rating is offset by Hugh Morgan taking that weight off with his claim. Hurricane Cliff thus appeals most at 14/1 with Unibet each-way in a wide-open handicap off effectively his opening mark.
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Hedge your bets on Dunboyne and Meticulous in Novice Handicap Hurdle Series Final
The 3m Grade B Novice Handicap Hurdle Series Final (15:30) is another ultra-competitive contest. Again, you can make cases for many runners but re-opposing Thurles duo Dunboyne and Meticulous make the shortlist. The former is an Irish point winner at the fourth attempt who chased home Bob Olinger on hurdles debut.
As the winner has gone to win consecutive Grade 1s, including the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and be rated 159, Dunboyne could be chucked in off an opening handicap mark of 130. He was beaten only half the difference in their ratings compared to lengths at at Navan.
Dunboyne filled the same spot at Clonmel when trying to give 2lb to the re-opposing Capodanno, who also has claims. Meticulous now meets the former on 7lb better terms from Thurles with only just over four lengths to find. As the Joseph O’Brien trained seven-year-old also got hampered two out, he can be marked up.
The form of Meticulous’ tenderly handled sixth in a Listed contest at Navan last March has worked out well too. Three of the first four home have all won races this season. Both Meticulous and Dunboyne look worth each-way wagers at 18/1 and 12/1 with Betfair in this stamina test.
Solomn Grundy the Hunter Chase choice
In the 3m 1f hunter chase earlier on the card (13:45), another of our Fairyhouse betting tips is the rejuvenated Solomn Grundy. Since leaving the care of De Bromhead and winning a couple of Irish points, the 11-year-old has progressed with each outing in this sphere.
Current Sean Thomas Doyle brought the Westerner gelding back to winning ways under Rules last time out with the application of a first-time hood. The way Solomn Grundy won easing down at Gowran meant he had plenty left in the tank and is well worth a crack in a deeper race.
Amateur jockey JL Scallan is again aboard and taking a valuable 7lb off with his claim. Main market rivals Jury Duty and Stand Up And Fight both have questions. The former hs only won twice in 11 starts since landing the American Grand National, while the latter needs to bounce back from flopping at Cheltenham.
That pair finished first and second in a Thurles Hunter Chase in February. Taking all that into account, Solomn Grundy may well follow-up at 3/1 with bet365 and make it four wins in six starts across all codes this season. He may do just that.
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Letsbeclearaboutit the bumper bet
Finally, in the 2m bumper which closes proceedings (17:15), Letsbeclearaboutit brings leading form claims into the race. Trained by Gavin Cromwell, this six-year-old by Flemensfirth won his first couple of racecourse outings before bumping into the Cheltenham Champion Bumper 1-2 in his most recent runs.
Letsbeclearaboutit chased home Sir Gerhard at Listed level around Navan in December, then filled the same spot when best of the rest behind Kilcruit in a Grade 2 at the Dublin Racing Festival. The fact that he drops down in grade here looks significant.
There are in-form rivals such as Flame Bearer, Ballycairn and Harry Alonzo for company here, but they haven’t achieved in victory what Letsbeclearaboutit has in defeat. Joey Dunne now takes the ride and a handy 7lb off with claim. That could be the difference maker in a race that looks at least as good as the Listed mares’ event beforehand.
Taking all that into account, Letsbeclearaboutit looks the one to be on and complete our Fairyhouse betting tips for Easter Saturday. He may well resume winning ways at 7/4 with Betfair in a quality bumper. The mares’ race looks a match on paper between Brooklyn Glory and Party Central.
Cork betting tips – Mighty Blue the Noblesse Stakes selection
At Cork, meanwhile, the Listed 1m 4f Noblesse Stakes (16:20) sees Prix du Cadran heroine Princess Zoe make her reappearance. However, her record first time out isn’t good and she could be caught out by both the trip and a race-fit rival in Mighty Blue.
A dual purpose mare trained by Joseph O’Brien, the five-year-old daughter of Authorized switches to the level after running well in defeat over hurdles. Those efforts include when a fine third in the Dawn Run at the Cheltenham Festival last month where Mighty Blue reversed previous form with Roseys Hollow.
She meets Killarney handicap conqueror Traisha off 9lb better terms with only a length to find. Although no match for Princess Zoe off level weights at Galway last autumn, Mighty Blue now gets 7lb from her and comes out 1lb clear on adjusted ratings. Tony Mullins’ charge may find it hard to confirm form.
This could well be the day when Mighty Blue finally gets her head in front. She has a fitness edge over all of her rivals, and the services of Shane Crosse in the saddle. The only negative is stable form. Despite that, Mighty Blue looks worth a wager at 4/1 with bet365 for winning black type.
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Musselburgh betting tips – Cardano overpriced and each-way value for Queen’s Cup
The big betting race in the UK this Easter Saturday is the 1m 6f Queen’s Cup Heritage Handicap at Musselburgh (15:35). Many runners are in with chances, but Cardano has an eye-catching jockey booking in Hollie Doyle. Trained by Ian Williams for Roger Brookhouse, this five-year-old Oasis Dream gelding has run well on the all-weather over 1m 4f over the winter.
His dam is by Galileo, so there is a stamina influence on the distaff side of his pedigree. Cardano races off 7lb higher than first try at a mile-and-a-half, but has back t back victories over that trip at Lingfield. On a form line through Win O’Clock, who he faced an impossible task giving 11lb to at Sandown back in August, he may have the beating of Trumpet Man.
That pair meet off level weights here. If Cardano is going to get the trip anywhere, then it is surely at Musselbrugh, a tight and sharp track. Course and distance winner Alright Sunshine, who is race-fit from a hurdles campaign, may be the biggest danger. Cardano looks worth chancing at 11/1 with William Hill each-way, however.
Carlisle betting tips – Wetlands could defy double penalty
In the extended 2m 3f novice hurdle at Carlisle (14:48), Wetlands may have the class to win again under a double penalty. Trained by Nicky Richards for Trevor Hemmings, this six-year-old Western gelding made an easy step up in trip and followed-up his Ayr success at Newcastle.
What he beat in winning those races is debatable, but the way he pulled clear suggests he has earned an official rating of 132. Wetlands now faces a respected rival Karl Philippe, who he gives 6lb too. However, the Fergal O’Brien inmate is on the comeback trail after pulling up on rain softened ground when sent off favourite for a Sandown Grade 3.
It makes him opposable. Wetlands doesn’t have to worry about the rest of this field on all known form. Connections have campaigned him really smartly, so it’s no surprise that Brian Hughes is again booked for the ride. If he wants to be champion jockey again this season, then he needs to win on Wetlands, who is evens with bet365 land the spoils.
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