Harry Fry © Photo Healy Racing
Harry Fry is set to be double-handed in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Novice Hurdle Championship Final at Fairyhouse after confirming both Bitofapuzzle and Desert Queen for the Easter Sunday Grade One.
Bitofapuzzle ran a tremendous race in defeat when a close third in the OLBG Mares' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, while Desert Queen is set for a significant step up in class following impressive displays at Sandown and Fontwell.
A strong British contingent also includes the Alan King-trained The Pirate's Queen and Peter Bowen's Rons Dream.
Fry said: "Bitofapuzzle has come out of Cheltenham very well and she seems to be in good order. She was only beaten a head and a neck at Cheltenham and the plan is to run at Fairyhouse on Sunday.
"It will be a competitive race and she'll take her chance, as will Desert Queen who has looked impressive winning her two novice hurdles very easily.
"This will represent a big step up in class for her, but there isn't another Grade One mares' novice hurdle between now and the end of the season, so she'll run as well.
"Noel Fehily will ride Bitofapuzzle while I'd say Nick Scholfield will ride Desert Queen."
Willie Mullins has won the last two renewals with Annie Power and Adriana Des Mottes and this year's five-strong team is headed by the unbeaten Morning Run and impressive Sandown scorer Uranna.
Carrigmoorna Rock has struck at Listed and Grade Three level this season for Robert Tyner, but was pulled up in a race won by Morning Run at the track in January.
"She goes for the big novice on Sunday and she seems to be in good form again," said Tyner.
"This race has been the plan for her for a while and hopefully she'll run a big race."
