Alaivan bids to get back on track

Edward O'Grady's exciting prospect Alaivan bids for another victory in the Winning Fair Juvenile Hurdle at Fairyhouse on Saturday.

The former John Oxx inmate oozed class on his hurdling introduction at Gowran Park in December, but then suffered an odds-on reverse at the hands of Carlito Brigante at Leopardstown over Christmas.

That performance was perhaps not as disappointing as first thought with the winner going on to subsequent success at Musselburgh and O'Grady still hopes his charge can stamp himself as a Triumph Hurdle contender.

"He's in good form and his run at Leopardstown doesn't look bad with Carlito Brigante winning again since," said O'Grady.

"I'm hoping he'll run well on Saturday and then we can look at the Triumph Hurdle."

Eight horses are set to go to post for the Grade Two contest with Paul Nolan's previous winner Politeo and the Mouse Morris-trained Big Game Hunter both leading contenders.