Fairyhouse preview All eyes will be on last season’s top class novice hurdler Yorkhill in the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Beginners Chase at Fairyhouse on Saturday and the supporting card sees his trainer Willie Mullins continue to tussle with Gordon Elliott in their bids to be Champion Trainer for 2016/17. Mullins trails Elliott by E384,000 at present and the pair do battle in the Great Sponsorship Packages At Fairyhouse, Enquire Today Maiden Hurdle with, respectively, Al Boum Photo and Minella Till Dawn and also in the Merry Christmas From All At Fairyhouse Beginners Chase with Be The Hero and Blazer. Al Boum Photo is a French import who fell on his only start in his native country, at Moulins in September 2015 and Elliott’s Minella Till Dawn might possibly prove too strong having run well when second in a useful maiden at Punchestown in November. The pair’s Be The Hero and Blazer are useful staying types in the three miles beginners chase but both may find Mall Dini too strong, as last season’s Cheltenham festival winner steps up in trip following an encouraging chase debut at Punchestown last month. The Mags Mullins trained Martello Park, a half-sister to Cheltenham winner Martello Tower, looks likely to take plenty beating in the concluding Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund 4-Y-O Fillies Bumper. The daughter of Central Park ran with plenty promise when second on debut at Naas last month and any progression would see her difficult to beat against fellow four year old fillies. By Tom Weekes
