FAIRYHOUSE PREVIEWTONY MARTIN will be a major player in today's National but he should also have a big say in the under-card at Fairyhouse with Robin Du Bois and Reisk Superman likely to keep the local trainer busy in the winner's enclosure.
The number one spot will be busy after the Grade Three Betchronicle Hurdle too but it will be about the only place after the opener as only two runners from an original entry of 19 take their chance.
The likes of Aranleigh and Cooldine ran yesterday while Alexander Taipan takes part in the National. However, even allowing for the reality that such a race caters for a certain quality of horse, it is remarkable that just Earth Magic and Kalderon will line up for a €37,000 pot.
One man unlikely to be complaining though is Michael Bowe whose Earth Magic looks the best option of the pair over this distance and on this ground.
A total of seven line up for the two-mile conditions hurdle where Robin Du Bois drops back from the three miles he ran over in the Pertemps at Cheltenham.
Paul Carberry tried to preserve his unproven stamina for as long as possible but the former smart juvenile was beaten before the turn in.
These conditions should suit Robin Du Bois better and he is preferred to the topweight, and Grade One winning chaser, Mister Top Notch.
The Beginners Chase looks a less competitive heat and as such it could present Reisk Superman with a good opportunity to break his duck over fences at the ninth attempt.
Sonnyanjoe's 150 rating stands out in the three-mile conditions hurdle but this could be one of those cases when figures don't tell the whole story.
Willie Mullins's Shakervilz for instance has a mark of just 118 after winning his maiden at Leopardstown but he looks a horse to follow over a long distance like this.
Shakervilz is still open to plenty of improvement while Sonnyanjoe and the four-time Grade One winning chaser Hi Cloy are well exposed.
Mouse Morris skipped the Cheltenham festival with War Of The World who had a number of festival entries there.
Instead Michael O'Leary's horse runs in the novice handicap chase and he could kick off a good half an hour for the Ryanair supremo whose Tinahely winner Mister Matt runs in the point to point series final he sponsors.
