Jane Mangan’s William Hill blog: Fairyhouse Grade One Sunday Preview

William Hill ambassador Jane Mangan is here to preview the action at Fairyhouse on Sunday, including the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle and Drinmore Novices’ Chase.

Fairyhouse, Sunday

We will begin at Fairyhouse with the Grade Three Juvenile Hurdle (12:30). This race has a great roll of honour, featuring horses such as Lossiemouth, Zanahiyr, and Espoir D’Allen. Even before Willy De Houelle was imported to Ireland and arrived at Closutton, he was the favourite for the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. Based on his hugely eye-catching run at Auteuil back in April 2024, he makes his debut in the colours of Rich Ricci here for Willie Mullins, and I can’t see past him in the opener.

The listed Porterstown Handicap Chase (13:05) is next over the 3m5f marathon trip. It’s a race that Gordon Elliott has won twice in the last three years, and he has a trio of contenders here. Leading stable jockey Jack Kennedy has chosen Where It All Began. The horse was dropped two pounds after a respectable effort in the Irish Grand National, with Jack staying loyal after a good run in the Kim Muir Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. I don’t think this horse will win a Grand National, but I believe he is more than capable of winning a Grand National trial or a race of this level. I think he will be hard to beat here, especially as the handicapper has given him a slight reprieve.

The Royal Bond (13:35) is no longer a Grade One, but it still looks a top-class race, with nine runners declared. Romeo Coolio looks a very warm favourite, but I am going to take him on with his stable companion Bleu De Vassy, who really impressed at Navan two weeks ago. He won there after having travelled extremely strongly. He has a greater level of experience than the favourite, and he might just be better than him at this stage of the year. I’m not saying he will be better come March, but for this assignment, Bleu De Vassy is the one for me.

The Drinmore Novices’ Chase (14:05) was won last year by the subsequent Aintree Grand National winner I Am Maximus. This year, I think it’ll be a different type of affair. Six runners go to post, and I like Firefox for Gordon Elliott. He’s only had one run over fences and looks inexperienced compared to his rival here, Heart Wood, who is rated 155. However, this horse was just short of Grade One calibre over hurdles and was always made to be a chaser. I think he’s the real deal, and I hope he proves it in the Drinmore.

The Hatton’s Grace (14:40) is a real tactical affair, and we have a horse in Teahupoo who is bidding for a third win in a row, following in the footsteps of the likes of Honeysuckle, and Apple’s Jade. Teahupoo and Jack Kennedy have followed Paul Townend into the straight twice in this race, and twice they have gone past. I fully expect Paul Townend to put a target on Jack Kennedy’s back on Sunday. His mount Lossiemouth has a stronger turn of foot, and I think she has more class over this trip. She’s not a dour stayer like Teahupoo, and I can see the race being set up not as a test of stamina but rather a dash up the straight, where Lossiemouth holds the upper hand.

The Handicap Hurdle (15:10) has attracted a field of 15 runners. It’s a fabulous-looking race with several intriguing runners, including Best Years Yet. I like a horse called Telecon to run a big race after finishing strongly from the rear of the field at Down Royal to finish behind Kala Conti, despite making an error at the last hurdle. I think he’s had a good summer on the Flat, but back over the obstacles, there’s a good bit of juice in his mark of 133. I think he will run a good race for each-way players.