HARD TO BEAT BIG TWO
Mullins and Townend to continue top form in Fairyhouse
SALSARETTA can round off a brilliant festive period for Willie Mullins in the Grade 3 John & Chich Fowler Memorial EBF Mares Chase at Fairyhouse this afternoon.
The Mullins team have been carrying all before them this week and that run can continue with this quality mare.
She fell on her comeback at P unchestown a couple of months ago but she took very well to fences last season.
Last term her efforts were headed by a dominant success in a Grade 2 at Limerick in March and that victory was achieved on heavy ground.
That means that today’s conditions will hold no fears for Salsaretta who could still have more to give over fences.
She is not the top rated runner in the field and she does have to give away five pounds to the high class mare Shattered Love.
That one is a quality performer on her day but she does line up with questions to answer after quite a disappointing run over hurdles at Navan last month.
On an interesting day’s racing the mares hurdle looks like a particularly interesting contest.
It brings together a number of classy sorts which include the likes of the last season’s Cheltenham bumper third Queens Brook and the hat- trick chasing Royal Kahala.
However, the vote goes to the very promising Delvino who created an excellent impression in her two bumper runs last season.
She then reappeared in a maiden hurdle at Naas a few weeks ago when she won very nicely on her first run for nine months.
Delvino should have improved plenty for that outing and she can confirm her status as one of the most promising novice hurdling mares around.
She could have most to fear from Hook Up who impressed in recording a wide margin maiden hurdle success at this track in late November.
Gordon Elliott had a mixed festive period but can start the year in good heart and he has a number of good chances throughout the day.
These include Folcano in the opening maiden hurdle. He made an encouraging start on the track when taking fourth in a maiden hurdle won by Ashdale Bob at Navan in November.
The form of that race looks very strong with the winner striking at Grade 2 level next time while the second and third from that race have both won since.
Elliott might also land the beginners chase with Coko Beach who has performed to a solid standard since going chasing.
If he can return to the form of his second to Pencilfulloflead at Galway in October he should take plenty of beating.
Elsewhere on the card Ballyshannon Rose can land the second of the handicap hurdles as she looks to add to recent wins at Thurles and Limerick.