Despite being pitched in at the deep end, Barry Fitzgerald hopes Giant Haystacks can outrun his odds in the Grade 3 WillowWarm Hurdle at Fairyhouse this afternoon.

Bought for just E2,500 at Goffs in February of 2020, the Elusive Pimpernel debutant is set to go off the outsider of a six-strong field, with the Willie Mullins pair of Risk Belle and Gust Of Wind the stand out names.

Speaking at Dundalk on yesterday evening, Fitzgerald said: "I'll either be a right lad after 2.35 on Saturday or I won't be!

"His work is very good at home - he's entitled I think to go and have a run. If he was to run in the maiden hurdle (the 12:50), it would be like a Grade 1 race.

"The Grade 3 looks a good race, but it is an easier option for the horse. He's a four-year-old that would be taking on the five-year-olds in the maiden.

"I think he has a bright future over hurdles and hopefully I'm not wrong."

Additional reporting by Michael Graham