After Ireland’s record-equalling Cheltenham haul, there could be significant role-reversal at the start of Fairyhouse’s Easter festival as Jessber’s Dream leads a handful of cross-channel raiders with major prospects on Sunday.
Dorset-based trainer Harry Fry landed the Grade 1 Irish Stallion Farms Mares Novice Hurdle with Bitofapuzzle last year and is back with Jessber's Dream, who can reward her shrewd trainer's decision to bypass Cheltenham.
Fry saddled his first official festival winner when Unowhatimeanharry landed the Albert Bartlett – although he was famously in charge of Rock On Ruby’s Champion Hurdle conditioning for Paul Nicholls – and American could underline his novice strength in Sunday’s Grade 2 support.
Easter’s 2016 date sees this festival tucked between Cheltenham and Liverpool, and both Kerry Lee and Venetia Williams look to have targeted a juicy Grade 1 target for Kylemore Lough and Otago Trail respectively, in the Ryanair Gold Cup.
Obvious claims
On ratings, both look to have obvious claims of becoming the prestigious race’s first cross-channel-based winner since Tickite Boo in 1987, while the third €100,000 Easter Sunday pot, the Tattersalls Sales Bumper, includes the Ben Pauling-trained newcomer, Boreham Bill.
However, Fry’s success with Bitofapuzzle last year makes his decision to skip a clash with Limini at Cheltenham and wait for this prize look very significant.
With four Willie Mullins runners in the race, and Ruby Walsh throwing something of a curveball by opting for the French newcomer, Asthuria, this is no easy option.
Jer’s Girl, having her first start for JP McManus, and getting a valuable weight allowance, boasts an outstanding piece of form with Apple’s Jade and is another major contender.
Yet this is a very different assignment compared to the turn of the year when Jessber’s Dream was beaten by Myska at Taunton. A much more galloping track and half a mile extra look sure to play to the English raider’s strengths.
American has just his third racecourse start in the Agnelli Motors Novice Hurdle and hasn’t been out since winning at Ascot in November. The form of his victory has worked out noticeably well, however, and Fry clearly has a line on the best staying novice form.
Punters’ quandry
The Easter date, just over a week after Cheltenham, and with only 11 days to Liverpool, looks to have had an impact on the Ryanair Gold Cup, leaving punters with a quandary as to whether or not to opt for the sponsor’s main hope, Outlander, or look elsewhere.
Only he and Mckinley from this field appeared at Cheltenham, and the danger of that trip taking the edge off Outlander just 10 days after his JLT fall are obvious.
The prolific Kylemore Lough is rated top on 155, but has been winning handicaps, while Outlander is a proven Grade 1 deal. He enjoyed no JLT luck, including being hampered by the Zabana incident at the start. Keeping faith in Gigginstown’s top hope may be the best option.
Sunday’s Grade 3 feature in Cork is the Imperial Call Chase and Fine Rightly can reward a near 1,000km round-trip from trainer Stuart Crawford’s Larne, Co Antrim stables.
