The BoyleSports Irish Grand National Chase at Fairyhouse is approaching. One trainer had highlighted Stumptown as a potential contender but failed to declare him for the race.
Monbeg Genius Seeks Big Handicap Win
Monbeg Genius finished third in the Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival three years ago. The horse has been a disappointment since that run, winning only one modest handicap at Uttoxeter from 13 races. However, his four runs this season have been increasingly promising, finishing third last time out in the Rosconn Group Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir at the Cheltenham Festival last month on ground much livelier than ideal.
Now ten years old, the BoyleSports Irish Grand National Chase at Fairyhouse on Easter Monday could be his last chance of landing a big handicap chase. He is well handicapped if performing to his best.
Punters are advised to back Monbeg Genius one point each way at 33-1 with Ladbrokes, paying four places.
British Challengers in the Mix
Ben Pauling, a British trainer, has the forecast favourite for the race in The Jukebox Kid. This lightly-raced improving novice chaser will have a big chance of landing the spoils in Ireland.
Another British-trained novice chaser, One Big Bang, is also being considered. Champion jockey Sean Bowen has been provisionally booked for the ride. One Big Bang, trained by James Owen, was third in the National Hunt Challenge Cup Novices’ Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last month and seemed to enjoy racing in a big field that day.
Back One Big Bang one point each way at 20-1 with Paddy Power, Betfair or Sky Bet, all paying five places.
WillowWarm Gold Cup on Sunday
The Grade 1 WillowWarm Gold Cup at Fairyhouse on Sunday is also upcoming. If declared, Willie Mullins-trained Kappa Jy Pyke will be looking for a hat-trick of wins this season and is the likely favourite. There has been strong support for the British-trained runner Sixmile.