A Fantastic field of 11 runners have been declared for the featured Bar One Racing Grade 1 Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse on Sunday.
Champion trainer Willie Mullins will run current Punchestown Rabobank Champion Hurdle winner, Hurricane Fly who appears on his seasonal debut. The exciting Montjeu gelding has been lightly raced and the extra half mile in the Hatton’s Grace should not faze Mullins’ stable star. The Carlow handler said: “He is fine. He is well able for the two miles four furlongs and we are looking forward to Sunday. He will be joined by Mourad who is dropping back in trip but should run well.”
Solwhit, the only horse to beat Hurricane Fly and runner up to him at the Punchestown Festival last April, also lines up in the Grade 1 feature on Sunday. Limerick trainer Charles Byrnes is confident of a big performance to follow the six year old’s Morgiana Hurdle win last time in Punchestown. Byrnes said: “Solwhit is in good form. He won over this distance in Aintree on good ground so he should be fine over this trip for Sunday.”
Voler La Vedette, second to Solwhit in the Morgiana Hurdle, is the only mare in this Grade 1 and trainer Colm Murphy knows his star mare will be tested. Murphy said: “Obviously, it is very competitive, but she came out of the Morgiana very well. We would be hopeful of a big run from her in Fairyhouse.”
Aitmatov, winner in the 2007 renewal of the race, takes his chance for the fourth time in this race and will represent trainer Noel Meade, who describes the nine year old as being in “really terrific nick – the form of his life.” Meade will also be represented by Tipperary hurdle winner Donna’s Palm.
Aitmatov, who fell when leading in the Lismullen Hurdle at Navan, will again meet the consequent winner of that race and current holder of the Hatton’s Grace crown, Oscar Dan Dan. Tom Mullins said: “We are very happy with him (Oscar Dan Dan). It is much more competitive this year but his preparation has gone well and with Hurricane Fly and Solwhit involved, it should be a right race on Sunday.”
In the second of the Grade 1 contests on Sunday, all eyes will be on Mikael D’Haguenet, who aims to justify favouritism in his chasing debut in the Bar One Racing Grade 1 Drinmore Novice Chase. Trainer Willie Mullins said: “He is fine – we are sure he will handle the ground ok, we just hope he jumps well.”
Opposing the unbeaten ex-French star will be Realt Dubh from Noel Meade’s stable, which won the corresponding race last year with Pandorama. The Castletown trainer said: “The two and a half miles will help Realt Dubh as he stays very well. But fingers crossed he jumps soundly. Mikael D’Haguenet will be tough to beat if he has a clear round.”
