Ball D'Arc aims to go one better The Jumps Racing Returns To Fairyhouse Maiden Hurdle heralds the beginning of what should be another exciting campaign at the home of the Irish Grand National. The opening two-miler has a field of 16 and, in truth, many of these youngsters haven't shown much on their appearances to date. There are two first-timers in the mix as well, one of which is Noel Meade's Gleesons Tipp. This Scorpion gelding is a half-brother to a seven-time scorer in Mission Complete, and it wouldn't be a surprise if he were to show up well. Arguably it isn't until race three, though, that we'll see the best of the action. Gigginstown House Stud's pair Attribution and Ball D'Arc stand out amongst the seven for the Winter Festival December 3rd & 4th Beginners Chase. Gigginstown's number one Bryan Cooper rides the Gordon Elliott-trained Ball D'Arc, and he already has experience over fences having finished second behind Three Stars at the Listowel Festival. David Mullins will also don the maroon and white silks when Henry de Bromhead gives him the leg-up on Attribution. This fellow hasn't tackled the larger obstacles under Rules yet, but he was successful in his sole point-to-point. The chestnut son of Alhaarth is noteworthy as a half-brother to 2009 Champion Hurdle hero Punjabi. Thirty five minutes later, another Gigginstown hope with a famous relation goes into battle, as Kicking King's half-sister Whistle Dixie goes under Cooper in the Book Your Christmas Party At Fairyhouse December 17th Mares Beginners Chase. Like so many from the champion owner's team, Whistle Dixie started off with a win between the flags - at Lemonfield in March 2014 - so the hope would be that she'll take the transition to the chasing game without any problems. Elliott has care of Whistle Dixie, and he also has Isabella Liberty in contention, with her jockey Jack Kennedy returning from the sidelines. Elsewhere, Old Castletown - rated 119 over fences - is the headline name in the Easter Festival 2017 Handicap Hurdle. Ted and Ruby Walsh's representative competes here off an attractive mark of 101.
