The latest two-day fixture at the County Meath track of Fairyhouse kicks off on Saturday afternoon, with a bumper 16 contests on offer over the weekend. The Saturday card boasts plenty of betting interest, but the quality arrives on Sunday with the Grade 1 double act of the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle and Drinmore Novice Chase.
The 2024 Hatton’s Grace Hurdle presents a titanic clash between Teahupoo and Lossiemouth, whilst the Drinmore Novice Chase regularly proves to be one of the more informative early-season Novice events.
First run in 1994 and held over a trip of 2m4f, the roll of honour features the names of the prolific Dorans Pride, Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Don Cossack, and nine-time Grade 1 winner Envoi Allen, whilst in 2023, subsequent Aintree Grand National hero, I Am Maximus, came home in front.
Two days ahead of the 2024 edition, nine runners remain in contention for the €85,000 contest. With seven wins to his name, Gordon Elliott is already the most successful trainer in the history of this event, and with five of the remaining runners hailing from his Longwood yard, there is a fair chance he will add to his tally in 2024.
1. Croke Park
Trainer: Gordon Elliott
A winner in Grade 3 company in his hurdling days but pulled up and finished last in his two Grade 1 outings over the smaller obstacles. However, he made an encouraging start to his chase career when toughing it out to score over 3m½f at this track earlier in the month. Post-race comments suggest that Elliott expects this Gigginstown House Stud runner to improve for that outing, whilst the effort is worth upgrading considering he ended the race with a bloodied nose.
2. Firefox
Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Whilst zero from four in Grade 1 company over hurdles, Firefox put up some notable performances in defeat. Unlucky in running when third in the Supreme Novices Hurdle, he then found only Mystical Power too good in the Top Novices’ Hurdle and KPMG Champion Novice Hurdle. Making his debut over fences on the 1st of November, he impressed with his jumping before coasting 3½l clear in the straight. The highest-rated in the field over hurdles, he seems sure to prove popular with punters.
3. Gorgeous Tom
Trainer: Henry De Bromhead
The first of two Henry De Bromhead runners in the field steps into Grade 1 company for the first time. Quietly campaigned over hurdles, he ended 2023/24 on a high with successive wins at Naas and Punchestown. Having flopped on his comeback in the Galway Hurdle, he made a successful chase debut at Wexford in August before falling when in contention in a Grade 3 at Tipperary. Encouragingly, his jumping appears to be improving with experience, and he arrives on the back of his best effort yet at Naas. 5½l too good for his Grade 3 rivals that day, he steps into deeper waters here but isn’t dismissed lightly.
4. Heart Wood
Trainer: Henry De Bromhead
Having raced only six times since joining the De Bromhead yard in October 2022, Hearts Wood has had his issues in recent seasons. However, he has yet to finish outside the first three in six outings over fences and ended 2023/24 with a fine third in the Grade 1 Mildmay Novices’ Chase at the Aintree Grand National Meeting. Returning to the track in October, he posted a career-best effort to slam Cheltenham Festival scorer Corbetts Cross by 7l at Wexford. He received weight that day and, no doubt, Corbetts Cross wasn’t fully tuned up, but that still rated an impressive introduction to the senior ranks.
5. Jordans
Trainer: Joseph O’Brien
This recent recruit to the Joseph O’Brien operation scored on his second start for the yard in a Grade 3 at Punchestown but got no further than the second fence last weekend in the Grade 2 Craddockstown Novice Chase. That unseat was no fault of his own, but on a line of form through Monbeg Park, he has work to do with Gorgeous Tom.
6. Pinkerton
Trainer: Noel Meade
Last successful with Beacon Edge in 2021, Noel Meade has five Drinmore wins to his name. Pinkerton flies the flag for the County Meath handler this year, and, with seven previous outings over fences is more experienced than many of his rivals. Rattling off a hattrick between April and June, including the Galway Plate, he has run well in his two outings this season. However, having failed to master Found A Fifty - despite receiving a stone from that rival - in a Grade 2 event at Down Royal, he may be a notch below this level.
7. Search For Glory
Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Finished behind stablemates Croke Park and Stellar Story over hurdles, but the early evidence suggests he may fare better over the larger obstacles. Kicking off with an eight-length stroll at Galway, he may well have mastered Stellar Story at Punchestown last weekend but for a costly blunder at the final flight. This represents a quick turnaround, but such was the pace of that Punchestown event that it probably didn’t take too much out of him.
8. Stellar Story
Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Last year's shock Albert Bartlett Hurdle winner made a winning start over fences in the aforementioned Punchestown contest. He was possibly fortunate to prevail that day but can be expected to strip fitter for what was his first start in 206 days. Whilst a winner over this trip in his Maiden Hurdle, his peak efforts have come over 3m. As such, we would be surprised to see him take up this engagement.
9. Shecouldbeanything
Trainer: Gordon Elliott
The sole mare amongst the entries has made rapid strides since making her chase debut in September. Now seeking a five-timer, her most recent outing saw her give 5lb and a beating to 2023 Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle winner, You Wear It Well. With the mare’s allowance, she may have an each-way chance here but she may be due a break, having been on the go since May.
The Verdict
Plenty of interesting runners remain in the lineup, but this looks like a coin toss between Firefox and Hearts Wood. Whilst impressive when seeing off Corbetts Cross, the poor showing of his rival and 15lb weight advantage need to be taken into consideration. In contrast, it is hard to find fault with the chasing debut of Firefox at Down Royal. Jumping immaculately despite being hassled by Mossy Fen Park throughout, he put the race to bed in a matter of strides when asked and can take this next step up the ladder in his stride.
Recommended Bet: Firefox to win @ 11/10 (generally available)
Paul Harrison
Falling in love with racing at a young age, Paul’s passion for sports and betting took him to Salford University, where he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Business Economics with Gambling Studies. Having spent ten years in the employment of a leading bookmaker, Paul opted to go it alone and pursue his dream job as a freelance writer.
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