-
Rachael Blackmore previews a big weekend of racing for Betfair
-
Ex-jockey would pick Constitution Hill from Fighting Fifth contenders
-
Ballyburn aiming to get back to his best at Fairyhouse
Racing... Only Bettor. Listen to the latest episode now
It's another fantastic weekend of National Hunt racing on both sides of the Irish Sea.
The Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle on Saturday is going to be a very informative race. The New Lion was obviously a top-class novice last season, he is unbeaten in five runs, won the Challow Hurdle at Newbury last season and the Turners Hurdle at Cheltenham. He is dropping down in trip now and moving out of novice company, so it's going to be really interesting to see how he gets on.
Anzadam is unbeaten too in four runs over hurdles, and we don't know how good he could be. But if I was to be getting the leg up on one, if I had the choice, it would be on Constitution Hill. We all know that he is brilliant on his day. The vibes about him seem to be all positive, and it's going to be really interesting to see what he can do here.
De Bromhead pair can both perform in the Coral Gold Cup
The Coral Gold Cup at Newbury on Saturday is a really competitive race, in which Monty's Star heads the weights. We have always really liked Monty's Star. He had his issues last season, and he didn't really get to where we expected but, by all accounts, he's in good order at home.
He has top weight, but he's a very talented horse. He ran well in the Irish Gold Cup and in the Cheltenham Gold Cup last season. He could be capable of giving away the weight, and it wouldn't surprise me if Henry has him back to his best.
Henry also runs Gorgeous Tom in the race. He was a really good novice last season, he ran very well in the Drinmore Chase at Fairyhouse on this weekend last year, he finished off his race well and was only beaten a length, and he finished fourth in the Brown Advisory Chase at Cheltenham.
He's stepping up in trip here, but it looks like that will really suit him. He seems to have a nice weight and I can see him running a big race as well.
Scope to go well at Fairyhouse
It's a great day's racing on Sunday at Fairyhouse too, Hatton's Grace Hurdle day. Love Me Tender is favourite for the Royal Bond Hurdle, he looked very impressive in winning at Tipperary last month.
It's a good race, but Scope To Improve is a horse I have always really liked. He always schooled well, and he won his maiden hurdle at Clonmel earlier this month. I think that he will improve a lot from that run, and he could go well here at a decent price here.
Romeo Coolio sets a good standard in the Drinmore Chase. He was third in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham in March, and he hardly put a foot wrong in winning his beginners' chase over two-and-a-half miles at Down Royal four weeks ago.
Four of the fences were omitted in that race because of the low sun, but I'd say that was a disadvantage for Romeo Coolio. He's such a good jumper.
Gold Dancer could be his main danger. He has plenty of experience for a novice at this time of the year, and he stayed on well to win a Grade 3 novice chase at Tipperary last time from a horse of Henry's, Downmexicoway, who won a handicap chase at Gowran next time.
Ballyburn is the one to beat in Hatton's Grace Hurdle
Six horses are set to line up in the Hatton's Grace Hurdle itself, and it should be a really good race. Teahupoo has won the race twice, and he was beaten only by Lossiemouth last year. You can be sure that he will be primed again for this.
Ballyburn is set to go back over hurdles again, after last season spent over fences, so it will be really interesting to see how he gets on. Mystical Power has to bounce back to form, but he is a horse who has a lot of ability, he finished second behind Slade Steel in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle in March 2024, and he won the two-mile novice hurdles at Aintree and at Punchestown that yea. He was sent off as joint favourite for the Fighting Fifth Hurdle on this weekend last year.
It would be great to see Glen Kiln run well for the Bowe family. The Bowe colours are synonymous with this race, Limestone Lad and Solerina both won it three times. Glen Kiln has a little bit to find on ratings, but he is a talented horse and he kept on well to finish second behind Lossiemouth in the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown last weekend.
Ballyburn could be a dominant force this season if he can get back to his best over hurdles, and he could be the one to beat in what should be another fascinating race on a weekend of top-class National Hunt racing.