SIZING CAN LAND BIG POTT
Harrington’s charge is ready to shed hurdling maiden tag
ALTHOUGH a maiden over hurdles, 157- rated chaser Sizing Pottsie looks best in the Fairyhouse Racing From Home Webpage on a Fairyhouse card – given the go-ahead by a lunchtime inspection yesterday.
The race lost plenty of its interest yesterday afternoon when it emerged 2020 revelation Dreal Deal , who would have been bidding for a six- timer, will miss the race due to a stone- bruise.
And, in his absence, Jessica Harrington’s Sizing Pottsie, a three- time winner over fences and rated 157 over the bigger obstacles, must be fancied to record his first win over hurdles at the fourth attempt.
Winner of a Fairy house bumper on his debut and a dual winner over fences last spring, he was collared l ate by Felix Desjyi na Grade 2 novice at Punchestown in November before stepping successfully into handicap company in a Grade B event in Fairyhouse last month.
Racing of f 149, Pottsie won comfortably by six lengths from Entoucas, a performance which earned an 8 lb hike from the handicapper.
If he can transfer that sort of form to hurdling, Sizing Pottsie is expected to prove too strong for Gordon Elliott’s ( circle) novice Percy Warner, conqueror of Flanking Maneuver in a maiden hurdle at Na van, form boosted by the runner- up at Fair yhouse recently en route to a crack at the Grade 1 Lawlor’s Of Naas Novice Hurdle in Naas tomorrow.
Joseph O’ Brien has double prospects, with long-absent Duc D’allier in the opening beginners chase and Fun Light in the competitive-looking Fairy house Racecourse Maiden Hurdle.
Although off the track since winning a Clonmel maiden hurdle for Henry de Bromhead in June 2018, market support for Duc D’allier would be significant.
Fun Light was f avourite when returning after a break and failing to cope with fitter stable- companion Battle Of Actium at Down Royal and chased home leading Pertemps fancy The Bosses Oscar at Leopardstown on his only previous start over hurdles and makes plenty of appeal here.
Like the selection, Salt Wind boasts solid placed form and receives weight from chief rivals Homme D’un Soir and Julies Stowaway, seventh to Ferny Hollow in the Champion Bumper at Chelt enham and beat en only a half- length by Closutton’s Blue Lord, a leading contender for a Grade 1 in Naas tomorrow, on his Irish debut at Punchestown.