april 20th 2014 selections

4:40 Fairyhouse – Powers Gold Cup


There may only be four runners, but this looks a cracker and any of them could win. BALLYCASEY is a superb jumper and to me looks the most likely winner. He has only run three times this season so should be fresh enough to do himself justice and two and a half miles looks his trip. His win first time out this season on ground similar to what he should face on Sunday, is hard to forget, so although there is not much between these runners, I have to go for him in a fascinating contest.




5:10 Fairyhouse – Coolmore Stud Novice Chase


NED BUNTLINE ran a cracker in the Grand Annual and sets the standard here. He has always been held in high regard and thought of as a classy chaser in the making and having had 5 weeks to recover from Cheltenham, should run a very big race. Over hurdles he made his debut at Fairyhouse and ran well to finish a close second to the classy Bright New Dawn, but his career best effort was last time out on good ground at Cheltenham. The trip looks perfect for him and although Mallowney is an obvious threat having beaten him in January, he is six pounds better off for that and his opponent’s stable is not in good form, so I am confident of victory.