Ted Walsh is 2 from 2 at Fairyhouse this season: Trainers to Follow this weekend Ireland’s jumps programme is in full swing now and, after the John Durkan and the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown last weekend, it’s Fairyhouse’s turn to provide the Grade 1 action. The Hatton’s Grace Hurdle and the Drinmore Novice Chase are set to take place at Fairyhouse on Sunday and their two-day fixture isn’t to be missed. There are many factors to consider when trying to pick out some winners and trainer form is often helpful to consider. We’ve picked out some trainers who could be worth following across the weekend, as their recent form or course records stand out. Thomas Cooper Thomas Cooper has been very selective with his runners over the last fortnight or so, but the strategy is clearly working for him. He’s had two winners from his last four runners at the time of writing, so perhaps we should be taking note. The most encouraging thing about his recent record is the fact that his two winners came in Listed contests at Cheltenham earlier this month. Clearly he’s one to keep an eye on, should he be represented by any runners at Fairyhouse over the weekend. Ted Walsh Ted Walsh has only had two runners at Fairyhouse so far this season and both of them have won. You would imagine he’ll be keen to maintain his 100 per cent record and any potential runners from the yard should probably go under consideration. It’s also worth noting that he has only had seven runners over hurdles in Ireland this season and they have yielded three winners, giving him a 43 per cent strike-rate. Patrick Foley Patrick Foley’s recent form is probably a slight cause for concern, but his course record at Fairyhouse so far this season definitely isn’t. He has a 50 per cent strike-rate at the course so far this season, with two winners from four runners. Based not too far from Willie Mullins over in County Carlow, Foley is winless in the last couple of weeks, but that’s from a small sample size of runners and the return to Fairyhouse could well facilitate a return to winning ways, should he be represented. Gordon Elliott Ireland’s second-biggest jumps trainer is ticking along with a healthy strike-rate in the last fortnight and he has landed 16 winners during this time. That’s certainly encouraging and he’s sure to be represented in all the big races. In fact, he trains three of the six entries for the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle on Sunday, including ante-post favourite Teahupoo, who has won the race twice before. Romeo Coolio is also well fancied for the Drinmore and rightfully so. Willie Mullins Willie Mullins hasn’t hit top gear yet, but that’s no surprise and it’s usually around this time of year that he begins to do so. He had five winners across the two cards last year and Lossiemouth’s Hatton’s Grace victory was chief amongst them. French import Narciso Has looks like one to watch in the graded juvenile hurdle on Sunday, whilst the Royal Bond and the Hatton’s Grace will certainly be on the agenda. Ballyburn returns to hurdles in the latter and Love Me Tender is interesting in the former.
