Saturday 25 February · Fairyhouse, Eire

14:10 Connolly's RED MILLS Irish EBF Auction Maiden Hurdle

Distance: 2m 0f 110y
Going: Yielding (Yielding to Soft in places)
Class: 0
Prize: EUR 20000
Runners: 14

Race preview

PURSE PRICE was snapped up by current connections after winning a UK point-to-point last year and has been a model of consistency over hurdles. The Gordon Elliott-trained mare has been placed on her latest five starts and filled the runner-up spot on both recent outings behind Hands Of Gold. Cheek pieces are now fitted and this drop back in trip may suit. Fine Margin is a half-brother to Belfast Banter and appeared to show much improved form last time behind Riaan in a rated novice at Thurles. Volantis had Makaela's Choice behind when fourth to the well-regarded Westport Cove in a bumper and was far from disgraced when switched to hurdles again at this venue last month. John W Creasy made a promising start in a valuable sales bumper here last Easter but has been soundly beaten on both point-to-point outings since.

Pos	Horse	Form	Jockey	Trainer	Wgt	SP
1	Volantis	33244	Keith Donoghue	R O'Sullivan	11 8	10-3
2	Fine Margin	34-5554	Kevin Sexton	M A Daly	11 10	6-1
3	Purse Price	832322	Sam Ewing	G Elliott	11 1	9-4
4	Walter Grey	2/08-5	Kieren Buckley	F G Hand	11 8	5-1
5	Bocelli's Voice	32-85	C D Maxwell	D A McLoughlin	11 8	7-1
6	O'hallorans Castle	0-	J J Slevin	S R B Crawford	11 10	40-1
7	Downtherefordancin		Sean Flanagan	G P Cromwell	10 10	25-1
8	Grand Rouge	909P	Conor Owens	J Barcoe	11 8	250-1
9	The Big Cloud	90	Sean O'Keeffe	S Crawley	11 1	200-1
10	John W Creasy	5-44	Danny Mullins	Ms M Mullins	11 10	11-2
11	Shanroe Click		Donagh Meyler	K Thornton	11 8	200-1
12	After The Drama		Cian Cullinan	Aengus King	11 8	250-1
13	Makaela's Choice	5757	J B Foley	T Mullins	11 10	100-1
14	Dgalwaygallivantor		L P Dempsey	G P Cromwell	10 12	33-1