Klairon Davis' Cheltenham preparation gets serious at Fairyhouse today when his Champion Chase credentials are yet again put to the test against Merry Gale in the Normans Grove Handicap Chase.
The 1996 champion two miler usually starts to come into his own at this time of year and after a number of less than inspiring efforts this season, now is the time for Klairon Davis to prove he is still a genuine championship candidate.
Not that his task is easy. Strictly on the form of his last clash with Merry Gale over the course and distance on New Years Day, Klairon Davis should have to settle for second again.
On that occasion, Merry Gale made all to beat Klairon Davis by nine lengths and is now only 3lb worse off. The minimum trip allows Merry Gale's raking stride and flamboyant jumping to be used to maximum effect but nevertheless Klairon Davis is preferred.
The ground at Fairyhouse was boglike last time and Arthur Moore's charge will be much more at home on today's forecast "yielding to soft" surface. Moore expects that to be a major factor and said: "The ground will be a lot better and we are expecting a good run. He's in good order and I would imagine this will be his last run before Cheltenham."
Therefore Klairon Davis should be coming to a peak and while the book may say Merry Gale, instinct says otherwise. The other two runners, including last year's race winner Fiftysevenchannels looks outclassed on these conditions.
Richard Dunwoody can warm up for the Klairon Davis ride with a success on Dermot Weld's Musical Mayhem in the Fanmond Maiden Hurdle.
Beaten only once in six races last year, Musical Mayhem won his first bumper here last year, ran at Cheltenham and followed up with another bumper and three flat races. Clearly talented, the Weld runner makes his jumping bow here but should be well schooled and the Leopardstown running of Iron County Xmas indicates Weld's small jumping string are in good form.
The INH Novice Hurdle is an interesting little contest with good winners like Aboriginal, Good Lad and Dromhale Lady taking each other on. However, if Oonagh's Star has recovered fully from a tough race on bad ground at Naas earlier in the month, he should be up to winning.
Oonagh's Star fell at the last when neck and neck with Promalee on that occasion and both Charlie Swan and Dunwoody on Promalee thought Oonagh's Star would have won had he stood up. Today is the test of the theory.
Speed Board followed a good run here at the start of the month with a win at Down Royal and although raised 5lb can still take the handicap hurdle.
