A good turnout for the big prize in another race where many have a sound chance if on a going day. This year's Fairyhouse meeting has sprung a few surprises with outsiders beating well-fancied rivals in hotly-contested graded contests. This race is no different and a potential improver could be about to add to the tally.
A horse of serious interest and excellent lines of form, Roberto Goldback is a worthy favourite and a strong fancy for Jessica Harrington and Barry Geraghty. He is seven-years-old and being a late starter has only had five career appearances but looks the type to go right to the top given that he has matured. After winning his bumper by five lengths to a subsequent winner, he went for a Listed bumper at Navan but was unfortunate to bump into mighty impressive Champion Bumper winner Dunguib. After this, he was sent over hurdles and was again unlucky to run into a smart horse, this time it being Kempes of Willie Mullins, who has since gone on to win twice, the latest being at this venue two days ago. After that smart performance, his trainer stepped him up to today's distance where he beat Albert Bartlett winner Weapons Amnesty by two lengths after staying on well up the run-in. However, it is his last piece of form which looks superb. He finished second to Go Native, who went on to win the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham in good style, where he had to concede weight all round but only lost out by two lengths. If he makes the most of the step up in trip after his previous win, he looks set to run a massive race. The only issue against this horse would be that the ground could be against him as all his races have been on a soft surface.
Caim Hill is worthy of a mention and a high place in the betting. Before pulling up lame last time out, he won an impressive five races on the spin. He goes particularly well for his young jockey Brian O'Connell and he sees out the trip very well. Trainer Philip Fenton has won this race three times in the past five years so obviously knows what it takes to win this so Caim Hill is one to keep an eye on. The good ground looks to be in his favour and he looks a banker for the placings.
Head Of The Posse has the services of Tony McCoy to help his chances and he has won twice over this distance. He looks like another who has it to prove on this quicker surface but should run another solid race. Clan Tara looks to have a decent chance for Paul Nolan and Davy Russell after a good performance at Thurles last time out where he clung over this distance and showed that he was a tough and versatile individual with that win. He has to reverse form with Head Of The Posse, who he beat at level weights in December but concedes 5lbs to him here.
Oscar Looby steps up in trip for Noel Meade and Paul Carberry after an easy win over 2m last time out. He failed to see out the distance when ran over further than 2m before so this does look a wise move. The good is in his favour having won on it in the past. Quiscover Fontaine ran no race last time after being found to have been clinically abnormal but could bounce back if over this problem. Before that, he won three races on the spin, all in good style and looks interesting even though Ruby Walsh has chosen to ride Oscar Dan Dan for Tom Mullins.
Selections: 1st - Roberto Goldback, 2nd - Clan Tara, 3rd - Caim Hill.
Result: 1st - Oscar Dan Dan, 11/1, 2nd - Caim Hill, 11/1, 3rd Lenabane, 9/1.
Another shock result as Ruby Walsh added another winner to his tally under a fine ride aboard Oscar Dan Dan. He was nowhere to be seen as the field approached the second from home and his chance looked very slim as he was under pressure and seemingly struggling. However, he was nursed back into the race under the champion and stayed on very strongly to take up the running heading over the last from the game Caim Hill who just failed to peg him back by a length. Lenabane ran on into third ahead of Head Of The Posse, who never mounted a serious challenge. The main disappointment of the race was the short-priced favourite Roberto Goldback who seemed to dislike the faster ground. Rounding the final bend, he took up the running going well under Barry Geraghty and looked the likely winner but once asked to kick on he had nothing to give and plugged on into six. He stays this trip but might need some ease in the ground, do not write him off just yet.
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