Preview - Fairyhouse, 3:10 - Ladbrokes.com Hurdle (Grade 3) 2m 4f

Another competitive graded race that sees some top horses return to the track after some disappointing performances at Cheltenham in March. It is looks like a tight heat and the betting suggests this so it will be interesting to see who the punters will be backing and on the flip side avoiding.

Powerstation is the forecast favourite and looks to hold sound claims on the back of a massive run at Cheltenham in the World Hurdle over 3m. He was ultimately beaten by 19 lengths behind Big Bucks and Punchestowns who look like supreme staying hurdlers in the making. He never threatened to cause an upset that day but stayed on up the hill ahead of Kasbah Bliss in good style. This drop in trip shouldn't be of hinderence to him but he may find himself vulnerable to speedier types if it turns out to be a sprint finish. Another downside to Powerstation's profile is that his win ratio is alarmingly low, even though he has made the placings a collosal 16 times out of 26 hurdle appearances. The good ground is in his favour and he will see out the trip so he should run a big race.

Shakervilz represents Willie Mullins and the in-form Ruby Walsh, who bagged three winners at yesterday's meeting. This lightly-raced six-year-old was a long way behind Powerstation at Cheltenham but seemed to find the Cheltenham hill against him and will find this course much more to his liking. He will go well on this good ground even though his best form has come on a heavy surface. Two runs previous he won over this distance in a Grade 2 at Navan in December, beating rival Aitmatov by six lengths. He cruised up going well two flights from home and quickened up nicely to land an impressive win. He has more to contend with here but if he can bounce back to that form after his latest flop he will go close for his prolific connections.

Ninetieth Minute is an improving sort and still has progression in him as he goes for a four-timer after his impressive win in the Coral Cup at Cheltenham. He was given a superb ride that day by Paddy Flood, who takes the ride again, and stayed on resolutely up the hill to win by a length. His form was franked again recently as two starts ago he beat Solwhit at Thurles in December. Solwhit went on to land the Aintree Hurdle in good fashion against some classy types and if he runs up to this form he could go in again.

Aitmatov is a consistent sort and will run his race for Noel Meade and Paul Carberry. He is another who has it to prove after an indifferent run last time where he was comprehensively beaten by Catch Me in a Navan Grade 2 in February. A strongly-run 2m 4f looks ideal for him and may prefer a softer surface but nevertheless will give his all again.

River Liane is on the comeback trail after some disappointing efforts. He ran no sort of race in the Champion Hurdle last time out and may find this step up in trip more to his liking. He is only five-years-old and it is too soon to write him off. He may well cause an upset with Barry Geraghty in the saddle. Essex is another who may feature if putting his best foot forward. He has ran two pleasing races since his year absence and proved he stays the trip after his third at Cork last time out. The drying ground is firmly in his favour and he could make the placings.

Selections: 1st - Shakervilz, 2nd - Powerstation, 3rd - Ninetieth Minute.

Result - 1st - Coolcashin, 25/1, 2nd - Essex, 10/1, 3rd - Powerstation, 5/2 fav.

A real surprise result with complete outsider Coolcashin hanging on gamely to deny Essex by a head with Powerstation staying on strongly late up the run-in. With Ninetieth Minute a non-runner, the race still looked a tough one to solve. Coolcashin travelled strongly into the race and took up the running two from home and jumped the last two flights much better than Essex and the cantering Nicanor and that momentum ultimately won him the race. Essex ran a blinder and cruised up going oh so well but a mistake at the last severly ruined his chances. Nicanor continued his comeback and ran a gallant race in defeat, only folding after the last. Powerstation looked outpaced coming round the final turn and as expected stayed on strongly but got going all too late in the day and 3m certainly looks his best trip. Shakervilz did the donkey work in front from the off under Ruby but looked to lack the class once the race began in earnest and plugged on to finish fifth. Aitmatov ran a shocker and finished tailed off.