It is just 10 days until Fairyhouse hosts its Grade One 'Winter Festival' but the Co Meath track has a landmark moment on an otherwise relatively run-of-the-mill midweek fixture as it stages Ireland's first ever steeplechase under rules confined to female jockeys.
A dozen runners will line up for the Today FM Ladies Handicap Chase and last Easter's Irish Grand National heroine Katie Walsh is set to ride the in-form joint-topweight On The Shannon.
Walsh will be joined by her sister-in-law Nina Carberry, on board Coolnagorna, and leading cross-channel jockey, Lizzie Kelly, who teams up with other topweight Rightville Boy. Admission money for the card will go to the the Marie Keating Foundation.
Rightville Boy was almost five lengths behind On The Shannon when they clashed at Naas recently and although the winner has picked up a 5lb penalty, that race was his first in nine months. There should be more to come and Walsh’s presence can only be a plus.
Her brother Ruby Walsh needs a single winner to reach 50 for this season and may not have to wait long if the former November Handicap winner Open Eagle returns to action in top form.
A relatively disappointing third on his jumping debut last February, Open Eagle should prove tough to beat on the sort of testing conditions he is proven on from the flat.
