Fairyhouse 7 10 23 The Big Chap and Simon Cavanagh near win the Fairyhouse Beginners Steeplechase from My Mate Mozzie© Photo Healy Racing
The two-day Fairyhouse Winter Festival gets underway on Saturday where high-class racing, live entertainment and festive food and drink will be served up to racegoers. The Grade 1 Hatton’s Grace Hurdle and the Grade 1 Drinmore Chase on Sunday are the feature events, however Saturday’s card presents plenty of opportunity to place a few bets.
Newcastle is host to the Grade 1 Fighting Fifth where Mystical Power represents Ireland, while Newbury’s highlight is the Coral Gold Cup - a competitive betting heat.
Vincent Finegan and Stephen Harris have cast an eye over Saturday’s cards and offer up five horses to follow, and BoyleSports are jumping in on the action with a Black Friday offer.
Editor Vincent Finegan has picked out his best value bets at Fairyhouse on Saturday.
The Big Chap 12:45 Fairyhouse, Saturday, 2m1f Handicap Steeplechase (Listed)
The Big Chap is in a rich vein of form and an extra four pounds for his recent victory shouldn't dent his chances too much here. He is a very good jumper, goes best right-handed (has won here before) and needs decent ground.
Don'tstopthemusic 13:20 Fairyhouse, Saturday, 2m Maiden Hurdle
This looks a very strong maiden hurdle and Don'tstopthemusic is suggested as an each-way alternative to former Champion Bumper winner A Dream To Share. Martin Brassil holds this horse in high regard and he produced a very taking performance when easily winning a bumper at the Punchestown Festival. His previous hurdles experience can stand to him here.
Betting Expert’s Stephen Harris presents three selections at Newbury and Newcastle.
Brentford Hope 2.10 Newcastle, Saturday, 2m Grade 1 Fighting Fifth Hurdle
Harry Derham’s smooth traveller has race-fitness on his side in a small field for this Grade 1 prize, and his turn of foot should be a potent weapon under Paul O’Brien. The rain easing the ground in the past week has come in his favour, and his race-fitness should count for plenty against his main market rival.
Castelfort 2.25 Newbury, Saturday, 2m handicap hurdle
Jane Williams unexposed handicapper looks on a very handy mark on this seasonal reappearance, and should go really close under David Noonan (with conditions to suit and the yard hitting form after a quiet start to the jumps season proper).
Broadway Boy 3.00 Newbury, Saturday, 3m2f handicap chase
Nigel Twiston-Davies chaser is entitled to sharpen up fitnesswise for his first run of the season at Cheltenham in October, and his relentless galloping run style should be well suited by Newbury on soft ground. He is best dominating and getting into a relentless grinding rhythm on the lead, and Sam Twiston-Davies will be looking to take these rivals out of their comfort zone from an early stage.
