Horsebetting.com experts give their 2018 Fairy Bridge Stakes betting tips. Trainer Dermot Weld is the most successful in the Group 3 contest in recent years, so his Yulong Gold Fairy looks to hold leading claims of landing this year’s renewal of the 7f contest at Tipperary on Thursday, 30 August. I Can Fly looks the pick of two runners for Aidan O’Brien and rates the main danger, while Lightening Quick odds appeal each-way. For full details read, our in-depth 2018 Fairy Bridge Stakes betting tips preview.Yulong looks pure Gold in Fairy Bridge StakesTrainer Dermot Weld has farmed the Group 3 Fairy Bridge Stakes in recent years, so Yulong Gold Fairy looks decent value to provide him with another success in the 7f feature contest at Tipperary on Thursday (17:55).
The Master Of Roswell House has won three of the last four runnings courtesy of Tested (2014 and 2015) and Tanaza (2016). In Yulong Gold Fairy, he has a progressive filly who has won three of her eight starts and, during the last of those at Galway 26 days ago, she showed a willing attitude to beat Panstarr by a neck in a Listed contest.
Yulong Gold Fairy was well on top at the finish and a value for more than the winning margin suggests. She had I Can Fly, who re-opposes in this, a further half-a-length back in fourth, so should confirm the form with that rival – given it was her first run following a break and she’s entitled to come on for it.
Prior to that success, the daughter of Mount Nelson had belied her odds of 66/1 when a cracking 4 3/4 lengths fifth to superstar filly Alpha Centauri in the Group 1 Irish 1000 Guineas over 1m at The Curragh. That trip arguably stretches her stamina to the limit and she has a 60 per cent strike rate over the 7f distance of this.
So, given that she has her optimum conditions, and with the prospect of further improvement on the cards looking assured, Yulong Gold Fairy looks to have plenty going for her in this. We’ve therefore put her up as our main pick in the 2018 Fairy Bridge Stakes betting tips.I Can Fly the pick of O’Brien duoCould It Be Love and I Can Fly represent Ballydoyle maestro Aidan O’Brien, who has surprisingly only won the race once – back in 2010 with Psam. The latter looks the pick of the duo, given that she wasn’t beaten far by Yulong Gold Fairy in the aforementioned Listed contest at Galway and has won since.
That victory came in a similar grade affair at Killarney where, after being held-up, she made stealthy headway to pick up the running two from home. The daughter of Fastnet Rock then forged clear inside the last under Seamie Heffernan to easily beat Rionach by 3 1/4 lengths.
It was a most taking display and one which will have done her confidence the world of good after some tough asks. Heffernan also said after the race that they had always thought highly of I Can Fly and he indicated that he believed there was now better to come.
Given connections that is highly likely now that she had good her head back in front. The big question is whether she will be as effective now dropped back in trip, as she got outpaced over 7f at Galway and did all her best work at the finish.
They key will be if I Can Fly can hold her pitch early. If she can, then she is going to be a threat to all if within striking distance rounding the home bend, and thus rates the main danger to Yulong Gold Fairy.Lightening Quick another with claimsIn what is a wide-open looking renewal of the Fairy Bridge Stakes, the Johnny Murtagh trained Lightening Quick is another with claims who cannot be discounted. She wasn’t far behind Yulong Gold Fairy when sixth of 13 to Alpha Centauri in the Irish 1000 Guineas and has since run well to finish fourth to Xenobia in a Group 2 at Fairyhouse.
The daughter of Frankel appears to be building up to a really big effort and it’s worth bearing in mind that she has had just two runs for Murtagh, having previously won twice when in the care of Ger Lyons. It could be that it has taken her new handler time to find they key to Lightening Quick and the booking of Colin Keane to do the steering is an eye-catching one.
Keane has partnered her just once before, when she made a winning racecourse debut for Lyons at Leopardstown when beating Bye Bye Baby be a neck in a decent 18-runner maiden. He has a near 20 per cent strike rate when teaming up with the yard in the past 12 months, so his booking suggests connections mean business.
That means a bold bid looks on the cards and Lightening Quick looks capable of hitting the frame at least. She therefore features as our each-way punt among these 2018 Fairy Bridge betting tips on offer.Your Next Bet