Espoir aiming to step up in Juvenile Espoir D'Allen and Mitchouka engage in what promises to be an informative battle in the opening Bar One Racing Juvenile Hurdle at Fairyhouse on Sunday. The Gavin Cromwell-trained Espoir D'Allen has carried the colours of JP McManus to two impressive victories at Punchestown and Down Royal this autumn and steps up to Grade Three level this weekend. Gordon Elliott's Gigginstown runner Mitchouka was narrowly beaten on his hurdling debut at Thurles, but has since raised his game to score over this course and distance and at Punchestown. Cromwell said of Espoir D'Allen: "He's in good order and we're looking forward to running him. "He's won his two races well and this is the progression we have to take now. "Gordon's horse looks the one to beat. "Things are starting to hot up, so we'll see what happens." Khudha, Randalls Ur Poet and Vanderbilt make up a five-strong field. The handicap races look fiercely competitive - hardly surprising given the great prize-money on offer. There are no less than 20 runners trying their luck in search of the 59,000 euro first prize for the Grade A Bar One Racing Handicap Hurdle. McManus nearly always has strong representation in this type of race and has four in the hunt this time. His retained rider Barry Geraghty has chosen the Willie Mullins-trained Bleu Et Rouge. Mullins has also got Chateau Conti, Meri Devie and Timi Roli in the mix. Meri Devie seems interesting with Paul Townend up. She makes her first handicap appearance, with a hood now tried. Pat Kelly sprung a surprise by declaring Presenting Percy to contest the Grade B Bar One Racing Porterstown Handicap Chase on just his third start over the larger obstacles. It will not be easy for him with top-weight over the marathon three-mile-five-furlong distance. He is joined by his stable companion Mall Dini, who is well equipped for the severe stamina test. Victorious in the last two renewals of this 50,000 euro heat, Forever Gold and Bless The Wings are back. Another course and distance winner is Thunder And Roses, the 2015 Irish Grand National hero. Elliott has a strong hand in the big handicaps with Ben Dundee, Veinard, Bless The Wings and Poormans Hill. The Cullentra House operator will be hoping to end the day on the right note with Dinons in the Devenish And Meath GAA Race Day (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race. Second in the Tattersalls Ireland Sales Bumper over this course and distance in April, Jamie Codd's mount will likely now prove difficult to beat. He is backed up by another Elliott runner in Extrapolate, but there are any number of potentially smart youngsters in this field.
