Energumene and Latest Exhibition in mix for Fairyhouse Cheltenham Festival absentees Energumene and Latest Exhibition are among 12 confirmations for the Underwriting Exchange Novice Chase at Fairyhouse. Having completed a hat-trick of wins over fences with a dominant display in the Irish Arkle at Leopardstown in February, the Willie Mullins-trained Energumene appeared all set for a fascinating clash with Shishkin in this month’s Arkle itself. The seven-year-old disappointingly missed out on an appearance in the Cotswolds after suffering a setback the week beforehand, but compensation may await in Sunday’s two-and-a-half-mile Grade One. Mullins has also kept in Asterion Forlonge, Franco De Port and Janidil — while Paul Nolan specifically sidestepped Cheltenham with Latest Exhibition to wait for the Easter Festival at Fairyhouse. However, as well as being confirmed for a race formerly known as the Powers Gold Cup, he also has the option of running in the BoyleSports Irish Grand National on Monday — with a decision on which race he will contest yet to be made. Nolan said: “We’re just going to give ourselves the option. “It looks to be a fine week, with a few showers towards the weekend, so I think the ground is going to be beautiful. “We have to decide on Friday morning, so we’ll see.” Other contenders for Sunday’s feature event include Denise Foster’s pair of Andy Dufresne and Conflated. Grade One honours are also up for grabs in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Novice Hurdle Championship Final earlier in the afternoon. Echoes In Rain, Gauloise and Royal Illusion are part of a seven-strong Mullins squad, with Shark Hanlon’s bargain buy Skyace — fourth in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham — also one of 21 possibles.
