Fairyhouse festival has strength in depth Fairyhouse today launched their Easter festival meeting, which features the Irish Grand National, and runs from Sunday March 31st to Tuesday April 2nd. As well as the big race on Easter Monday the meeting also features top-level action on the Sunday with the Grade 1 Powers Gold Cup and also the new Grade 1 mares hurdle over two-and-a-half miles. There are now also three graded contests on the Tuesday after the decision to move the Grade 2 Normans Grove Chase from it's original date in January. General Manager Peter Roe, speaking at the launch of the National weights today in the yard of last year's winning trainer Tom Gibney, stressed the overall quality of the action over the three days. “There is plenty of quality over the weekend. Some people tend to think it's about one race but there is €950,000 in prize-money over the three days. “I'm excited about the new mares race which will be run for the first time this year and it is the first time a Grade 1 has been restricted to the fairer sex. “It looks a like being a strong contest and Annie Power is by all accounts the bee's knees. “The Powers Gold Cup also looks a cracking race and will attract some of the horses that didn't go to Cheltenham. The likes of Dedigout, Mount Benbulben and Savello are three horses that come to mind. “There is also the Racing Post bumper which is held before the National and Gigginstown are now offering a €200,000 deal or no deal offer to winning connections. “Of course Simonsig took this a few years ago but Ronnie Bartlett told Mr O'Leary that the €100,000 on offer then wouldn't buy a leg and it proved a good move! “I would love a Grade 1 over fences for second season horses over two-and-a-half miles and hopefully the Normans Grove will go in that direction. “There is talk of Flemenstar going to Aintree but hopefully if he stays on local soil it might be a race for him.” Senior National Hunt Handicapper Noel O'Brien also welcomed the addition of the Grade 1 mares race:- “This year is the first time there will be two Grade 1 races for mares (also one at Punchestown) and it's all for the good. “In recent years we've had some great mares like Quevega, Voler La Vedette and Unaccompanied and with the improved programme we'll get better quality mares staying in training longer.” O'Brien also reflected on the Powers Gold Cup:- “This year before Cheltenham we thought our novices were very consistent but there were no stars. “We had a one-two in the four-miler and also in the RSA and even Baily Green ran a cracker in the Arkle. “So the novices are as strong a group as we've seen in recent years. The Powers sits in very well in the calendar and can expect a very strong entry. “The English might look at it with a bit more trepidation after the results at Cheltenham.”
