Ballyoisin to confirm potential at Fairyhouse The Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Beginners Chase at Fairyhouse has the potential to be an informative heat, with the leading names in the jumping game doing battle. JP McManus has three engaged, and his retained rider Barry Geraghty has not surprisingly chosen to partner Ballyoisin for the Enda Bolger yard. This Presenting gelding has a bit to live up to as he landed the same maiden point-to-point at Belclare, in March 2015, as the legendary Best Mate took back in 1999. Ballyoisin was bred by the late Sheila Moore, who will forever be remembered through the exploits of her brilliant racemare, Asian Maze, and the hope would be that Bolger's charge can too someday go on to achieve at the top level. He certainly looked something out of the ordinary when winning at Belclare, and he cemented that impression when victorious in a Navan maiden hurdle in September 2015. However, the lightly-raced sort was then sidelined for 463 days before making his debut over racecourse fences, also at this venue, on New Year's Day. Over an extended two miles and five furlongs in a very decent contest on that occasion, Ballyoisin was still in the lead when coming to grief at the fourth-last fence. The Howardstown House contender should now be suited by dropping back in distance, though he has some talented rivals to deal with. Townshend has been mapped out for good things ever since being snapped up for 170,000 euros by Harold Kirk at the Arqana Summer Sale in 2015. The German-bred has since won one hurdle for Susannah Ricci and Willie Mullins. He will be expected to do more now over fences. Along with Ballyoisin, McManus also has A Great View (Denis Cullen and Mark Walsh) and Floral Fantasy (Enda Bolger and Jody McGarvey) involved. Meanwhile, Double Scores (Jack Kennedy) goes for Gigginstown House Stud and Gordon Elliott. Whatever the latter's fate, his connections will likely fancy their chances with Barra in the opening mares maiden hurdle. Elsewhere the Buy Your Great Value Annual Fairyhouse Membership Today Maiden Hurdle is full of interesting four-year-olds. Reference to the market will prove important.
