Just 11 days after powering up the Cheltenham hill to run a mighty third in the SunAlliance, Our Ben returns to the scene of probably his worst ever performance when he runs in tomorrow's Grade Two feature at Fairyhouse.Racing Correspondent
The Willie Mullins-trained horse belied his 40 to 1 odds in some style at the festival after overcoming trouble in running to emerge best of the Irish behind No Refuge. But the odds were available on the back of his one and only visit to Fairyhouse in January when he ended up being beaten a distance.
There was no obvious excuse for that tame effort behind Sweet Kiln and that might be a deterrent to those who want to wade in on the horse in the Rathbarry & Glenview Festival Novice Hurdle.
The proximity to Cheltenham is a point to consider as well and in the circumstances it might pay to look at the claims of the unexposed Sher Beau, who looks open to improvement.
Queen Astrid was only 12th in that SunAlliance but met trouble in running and might just be more at home on the softer conditions she gets in the Grade Three mares novice hurdle final. Tony McCoy takes the mount this time with Paul Carberry switching to Asian Maze.
Beau Colina is a full 20lbs out of the handicap proper in the National and significantly is being give a chance to try to complete a hat-trick in tomorrow's handicap chase.
Maralan might be able to garner some compensation for missing out at Cheltenham in the novice handicap.
The safest bet of the day at Fairyhouse, however, should be Lost Time in the maiden hurdle.
Cork's mixed card features the return to action of the Guineas possible Slip Dance who has just three opponents to beat in the fillies race.
Anything near the best of her juvenile form would be good enough.