Monday 1 April · Fairyhouse, Eire
15:15 Fairyhouse Steel Handicap Hurdle (0-140)
- Distance
- 2m 6f 45y
- Going
- Soft to Heavy
- Class
- 0
- Prize
- EUR 25000
- Runners
- 12
Race preview
POSITIVE THINKER has been most consistent over both hurdles and fences this season and has good claims off a handy weight. A creditable second to Irish National contender Hartur D'arc over fences at Naas last time, he can compete off his lower hurdles mark here and his proven stamina will be an asset on the testing ground. Explosive Boy hasn't been seen since falling at this venue when in with every chance in late 2022. Touched off at Cheltenham on his previous start, his absence is obviously a concern and market confidence would be noteworthy. Kilbree Warrior is a doughty front-runner on her day and won over 2m4f at the Easter fixture here a year ago. She was a gallant second to an unexposed type at Naas three weeks ago and has her chance again from a 4lb higher mark.
| Pos | Horse | Form | Jockey | Trainer | Wgt | SP | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Whatcouldhavebeen | 428-435 | Aidan Kelly | J P Fahey | 11 7 | 14-1 | |
| 2 | O'Moore Park | 1223/31 | Paul Townend | W P Mullins | 11 12 | 13-8 | |
| 3 | Party Playboy | 5131/56 | P J O'Hanlon | D A McLoughlin | 10 10 | 10-1 | |
| 4 | Positive Thinker | 132232 | Cian Quirke | M J McDonagh | 10 6 | 11-4 | |
| 5 | Western Walk | 33/2411- | M J M O'Sullivan | Jonathan Sweeney | 11 11 | 6-1 | |
| 6 | Western Fold | U15F1P | Jack Kennedy | G Elliott | 11 12 | 11-1 | |
| - | Slanagaibhgoleir | 73-514 | Mark Walsh | G Elliott | 11 1 | 15-2 | |
| - | Wild Shot | 644U-34 | Simon Torrens | N C Kelly | 10 9 | 50-1 | |
| NR | Kilbree Warrior | 65P2P2 | Phillip Enright | O McKiernan | 11 1 | ||
| NR | Starzov | 1300-40 | J P O'Sullivan | P J Rothwell | 10 12 | ||
| NR | Mighty Jeremy | 20541P | Darragh O'Keeffe | Liam G O'brien | 10 7 | ||
| NR | Explosive Boy | 55/62F-0 | Daniel King | A J Martin | 10 2 |