Festival hero Jeff Kidder shoots for Fairyhouse glory
Noel Meade’s charge tackles Grade Two company.
Cheltenham Festival hero Jeff Kidder bids to follow up in the Rathbarry & Glenview Studs Juvenile Hurdle at Fairyhouse. The four-year-old ran out an authoritative winner of the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle in the Cotswolds last month and trainer Noel Meade is looking forward to testing his powers at Grade Two level on Easter Monday. He said: “He came out of Cheltenham really well and actually was a kilo heavier on Friday than he was going to Cheltenham. “He’s fresh as a daisy so we decided we’d let him take his chance, because once you get past Punchestown, he’s into the big world then.” Jeff Kidder’s biggest threat appears to be the Denise Foster-trained Teahupoo, who is unbeaten in three starts and is already a dual winner over the course and distance. “Denise’s horse is probably a fair horse. Hopefully he mightn’t be as good on the better ground, but I’d say he’ll be hard to beat,” Meade added. The Tu Va handler also has a major contender for the second Grade Two on the card in Beacon Edge. The Doyen gelding steps back in distance for the two-and-a-half-mile Underwriting Exchange Hurdle after finishing a creditable fourth in the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham. Meade said: “I said we’d declare him and have a look. He had a hard race in Cheltenham, but Sean (Flanagan) cantered him on Saturday morning and was very happy.” If Beacon Edge does take his chance, he will be taking on rivals that include the Mouse Morris-trained French Dynamite, Foster’s Pertemps Final runner-up The Bosses Oscar, Scarpeta and Stormy Ireland from the Willie Mullins stable. Scarpeta was fourth to Beacon Edge in the Boyne Hurdle at Navan on his latest start, while Stormy Ireland has her first race since returning to the Closutton handler since having a spell with Paul Nicholls at Ditcheat. “Scarpeta has a little bit to find on ratings, but he’s in good form. Hopefully, he’ll run well,” said Mullins’ assistant David Casey. “Stormy Ireland is back with us after being away in England. She’s coming back from a break. She is in good form and worked very well during the week. Hopefully, she’ll run well.” Grade Two honours are also up for grabs in the Devenish Chase, for which Fakir D’oudairies will be a hot favourite. Joseph O’Brien’s charge would not be winning out of turn, having filled the runner-up spot on three of his four starts this season – most recently in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham. Mullins is again two-handed with Easy Game and Annamix, who should both appreciate the spring ground. “Easy Game has been crying out for a bit of nicer ground. It should suit him,” said Casey. “Annamix won his beginners’ chase round Fairyhouse and going back there on nicer ground will help him.” Battleoverdoyen (Foster) and Castlegrace Paddy (Pat Fahy) are also in the mix.Follow us on Twitter racing365dotcom and like our Facebook page.
Latest
-
Connections confident Naqeeb has progressed enough to ask Gold Cup question
‘He was always a horse that was physically going to improve as he got older’.
-
National hero Murphy relishing Rosallion’s bid for 2000 Guineas glory
Richard Hannon’s three-year-old will take on Aidan O’Brien’s all-conquering City Of Troy.
-
French Gold Cup bid shelved for Il Est Francais
Connections take cautious approach and send impressive Kauto Star winner on summer break.
-
City Of Troy tops 11-strong list for 2000 Guineas
Rosallion, Notable Speech and Night Raider among Newmarket rivals.
-
Ben Curtis living the dream with Honor Marie in Kentucky Derby
‘They are estimating 160,000 on the day… it will be as close as you can get to being in a Roman colosseum’.
-
Josh Moore joining father Gary on training licence
Business as usual, but Lower Beeding yard very much planning for the future.
-
Fastorslow too strong for Galopin Des Champs in Punchestown repeat
Martin Brassil’s stable star conquers dual Cheltenham Gold Cup king once more.
-
Redemption Day at Punchestown for Jody Townend
Grade One victory is a first for leading amateur rider.
-
Dancing City backs up Aintree win with gritty Punchestown success
He was made to battle all the way by a stablemate.
-
Jasour stakes Commonwealth claim with smooth success
Impressive Ascot victor cut to 12-1 for Royal meeting.