Ryan hopes for Foildubh repeat John Ryan has high hopes that Foildubh can repeat last year's victory in the Normans Grove Chase at Fairyhouse on Sunday. The Templemore handler believes he has his stable star back on top form ahead of the Grade 2 contest. The 10-year-old faded badly when third behind Un De Sceaux over timber at Navan in January but Ryan regrets running his charge then, just 15 days after finishing a respectable sixth in the Lexus Chase. "He's in tremendous form. I ran him back too soon after the Lexus when he was taking on Un De Sceaux on desperate heavy ground," said Ryan. "I shouldn't have run him - I'm really sorry I did but it's one of those things. He got a very bad cut on the hind leg then and credit to my vet Rob Morris who did a brilliant job on him - it took a bit of time. "Paul Carberry has schooled him recently after racing at Leopardstown and Thurles. He's lovely and fresh and that's when he's at his best. "He was only beaten eight lengths in the Lexus and ran well in it. "We're hoping to win on Sunday - he won it last year. I think we might have beaten Arvika Ligeonniere at Clonmel (in November) only for a mistake two out." Arvika Ligeonniere heads the six-runner field and will be bidding to bounce back to winning ways after another poor Cheltenham effort last month. Trainer Willie Mullins has a strong hand in the €37,500 contest with Twinlight and Turban also set to line up. Tony Martin saddles Grand Annual winner Savello and is hoping the race doesn't come too soon after his battling success at Cheltenham. "We're very happy with him. He's in good form and we're hoping he gives a good account of himself," said Martin. "He's won in that ground before and it's just a matter of whether he's got over Cheltenham but we've been pleased with him since." The field is completed by the sole mare Kates Benefit, who takes a big step up in class after a beginners chase success at Gowran Park last month.
