Fairyhouse set for big race action

Fairyhouse Racecourse and Bar One Racing are looking forward to their premier jump racing weekend where Voler La Vedette is looking to defend her title in the 2012 renewal of the Bar One Hattons Grace Hurdle on Sunday. The rain has been relentless of late but the course has stood up well. Peter Roe, Racecourse Manager states: "The ground remains heavy but it has dried out considerably in the last 24 hours and with a dry forecast for the rest for the week, I believe we will have good jumping ground, considering the recent bad weather. I am delighted for our main sponsors Bar One with the quality of entries for all 14 races over the weekend." Voler La Vedettesuffered a shock defeat when beaten by Whatuthink on a seasonal re-appearance at Navan recently, although it was her first run after a long break. Monksland also holds his ground at this five day entry stage. Only a five-year-old, he had an impressive CV as a Novice Hurdler last season and that was built upon when he won a Grade 2 Hurdle at Down Royal in early November. There are three left from the Willie Mullins team at this entry stage with Thousand Stars, So Young and Zaidpour. A total of eight stand their ground. Willie Mullins and Rich Ricci have been doing a good job of making the Bar One Royal Bond Hurdle their own, having won it for the past two years, with Zaidpour in 2010 and Sous Les Cieux last year. This year the imposing Champagne Fever represents them. The winner of the Cheltenham Festival Bumper and the Champion Bumper at Punchestown, he made very light work of his opposition on his hurdles debut at Cork recently to score easily. The six-strong opposition remains strong at entry stage with Jezki looking to make it three wins in-a-row, his last one being particularly impressive in a Grade 3 at Naas. Clonbanan Lad showed plenty of tenacity to win from the front on his hurdles debut at Punchestown on testing ground. The Bar One Racing Drinmore Novices' Chase sees eight hold their ground at this entry stage including Dedigout which made easy work of the testing conditions to score at Punchestown on his chasing debut. A previous point-to-point winner and a Grade 1 Novice Hurdle winner, he is an exciting prospect. Buckers Bridge, a very lightly raced six-year-old is unbeaten in a point-to-point, two bumpers and on his chasing debut where Sword Of Destiny, which also stands his ground for this contest, was runner-up. Pride Of The Artic is certainly not lacking in experience having won his last four starts over fences. Mikael D'Haguenet holds his place here, while also keeping the Beginners Chase on Saturday as an option. SATURDAY Saturday's action begins at 12.15pm with seven races offering up very healthy size fields at the five-day declaration stage. The Bar One Racing Handicap Hurdle over two miles has 27 entries. Gordon Elliott has four entries; Cause Of Causes was a smart winner at the County Meath track in early November before a very respectable third to Olofi at Cheltenham last time out. Un Beau Matin, also trained by Elliott for Gigginstown House Stud has had only four runs since coming to Ireland. He was second to Jezki at Naas in a Grade Three before stepping up in trip to land a hurdle at Punchestown seven days later. Beef to the Heels, another Elliott/Gigginstown combination is up in grade but in great heart having won his last two starts under Jane Mangan. The well-bred King Of Queens could take his chance; he is already a winner of hurdles this season before a spin on the flat. The classy Citizenship which was third in this race last year also holds an entry. The Bar One Racing Ballyhack Handicap Chase over two miles and one furlong offers up one of the smaller fields with 15 entries. Far Away So Close is one of four which won last time out when scoring at Limerick a few weeks ago for Paul Nolan. Edward O'Grady has Slieveardagh, a smart Novice Chaser, but he is yet to win out of novice company and Armaramak who had his first run last month after over a year off the track. Bog Warrior which won the Drimore last year, is one of 31 entries in the Ryan's Cleaning Services Handicap Hurdle. This could be a bit of a confidence boost after falling at the last fence at Down Royal last time out.