PLACESPOTTER - Fairyhouse 2.00 Novice Handicap Hurdle - 2 miles 4 furlongs - 16 run - Heavy

 

This is a competitive race and I'd be surprised if there wasn't something unexposed and lurking ready to explode but equally, some with more clear and exposed form can't be discounted. There are probably 12 of the 16 runners that you could make some sort of genuine claims for, on balance I'm quite keen to take on the top of the market and to reluctantly leave out a few of the horses with solid claims and will suggest investing in 5 of the 16 runners with enhanced place offers in what is the most competitive betting hat of the day.

 

At the top of the market I'll take on Buachaillbocht who has had an excellent season for Ted Walsh but who gets an 11lbs penalty and if he could win again off that new mark then hats off to him. Pacini looks no more than a solid chance and so does Joyeux Vivo and whilst I fancy the value of Lucky Lyreen and Secrecies of Stone, both just missed out on an investment in my final calculations. Our Boy Rocky was perhaps the hardest one to figure form wise, whilst it wouldn't be a massive surprise to see bold efforts from Barry Lyndon, who fell when going well in the race won by Mousey Brown and Ceroc who may need the run after a break. .

 

I'm most confident though about CHOSEN DIAMOND who is a solid handicap hurdler already and whose dalliance with Chase Fences has lasted just the one race so far. I think the hurly burly of the big field will suit this one as will the experience and it will be disappointing if not in the first 4 home. BANPRIONSA for Henry De Bromhead and Rachel Blackmore had progressive form figures of 1-2-1 before being pulled up last time, there was a genuine reason in that the horse struck in to itself, it's had time to recuperate and if back to the form of those 3 earlier wins will surely go very close here. SILVER KING has Punchestown wins and a place off marks of 109 and 116 and experience of this sort of race too and looks a very solid each way punt to enhanced places. For some shrapnel I suggest that both PRINCE PALACE whose 2nd of 14 up the tough finish at Naas bodes well with the likely fast pace here to aim at and SHRAHEEN who I noted staying on very well last time even after an error at the last fence and may be the type to improve on handicap debut and the big prices does not put me off.  ,  

 

Tips (1) Chosen Diamond / (2) Banprionsa / (3) Silver King / (4s) Prince Palace / (5s) Shraeen