A Couple Of Fancies At Fairyhouse

Today's Irish action comes from Fairyhouse, and there are a couple of horses that have caught my eye. At this time of the season it usually pays to keep an eye out for horses that have been performing badly on soft ground over the winter, but who are either bred for or have form on fast ground. Their poor displays on soft ground usually results in an inflated price, and both selections today fit this profile.
The first horse that I like today is Newsreader, who goes in the 5.25. This is a horse by New Approach, formerly trained by the disgraced doper Mahmood Al Zarooni for Godolphin. He is a half brother to two Group 1 winners (both on good/firm), and while his runs on the flat suggest that he is nowhere near as talented as his two siblings, his return to action at Navan this year was a big eyecatcher. He was bang there two out, until a combination of the hill and soft ground took its toll and he ended up beaten 8l into eighth. Admittedly his next run was disappointing, but it was only a week after the first effort so may have come too soon, and was also on soft ground which wouldn't have been ideal either. Today is his first run in a handicap hurdle on decent ground, and he gets to race off 88. Given his pedigree and his promising handicap debut I think the 25/1 available is great value and this horse is well worth supporting each way in a wide open race. Powers are paying an extra place in this race too, but I would suggest waiting until the first show before backing him with them, as their early prices are usually shorter than their competitors in the races they offer the extra place in.
The other horse that I think will put in an improved display back on decent ground today is Realdealholyfield (what a name by the way!)  who goes in the Beginners chase at 6.55. This horse is having his first run on good ground since finishing an unlucky second on his handicap hurdle debut, getting reeled in close home. He showed a good attitude that day however, and it is no coincidence that he has put in his best displays when the sun is out and the ground is good. I can see McCarthy blazing off in front, and if  the horse has learned enough in the jumping department in his two chases to date he could be very hard to peg back. Available at odds of 11/1, he looks worth supporting in a race that lacks depth.

Selections: 5.25 Newsreader e/w 25/1 (5 places powers)
                   6.55 Realdealholyfield e/w 11/1