'He's the one to beat' - Willie Mullins & Mark Walsh lead tomorrow's Fairyhouse chances We seem to have moved past the worst of our weather troubles in recent weeks and it’s all systems go for Fairyhouse’s eight-race card on Thursday. There are a few key races to look out for across the afternoon so we’ve had a good look at the card and picked out an owner, trainer and jockey to follow Owner - Keep The Faith Bloodstock Limited It’s going to be a busy day for these familiar navy and orange silks of Keep The Faith Bloodstock Limited, as they’re set to have five runners, provided the two reserves get a run, all trained by Oliver McKiernan. The 120-rated Supreme Jet won twice over hurdles and ran with credit in three starts over fences so far. You would imagine the return to handicaps will see him to best effect in the future but it wouldn’t be a surprise if he manages to make the frame. One And Only came very close to winning his first start over fences at Downpatrick back in 2024 and it was a fair effort when third over the larger obstacles at Limerick over Christmas. A similar performance would give him every chance again. Confidence is less high with regards to Somersby Roost, although he did win his final point-to-point start well. He has struggled in two starts over hurdles thus far and the best is yet to come, but probably in handicaps further down the road. Trainer - Willie Mullins Sometimes it’s just not worth taking on Willie Mullins. Ireland’s premier jumps trainer has been in solid form of late and is operating at a strike-rate of 30 per cent. That’s particularly impressive when he often has two or more runners in a race. He has declared four runners on Thursday, the first of which is Strutter in the opening beginners’ chase. He was last seen winning a Limerick handicap hurdle in good style and makes his first start over fences, off the back of a 384-day absence. Roc Dino and Mighty Park are entered in the two-mile maiden hurdle, but the latter needs a couple to come out. Paul Townend rides Roc Dino and this horse was last seen finishing third in a four-year-old hurdle at Auteuil back in February. Noemie De La Vis runs in the 2m4f mares’ maiden hurdle and she finished second on her debut at Compiegne in April. Mullins does very well with French imports and she’s likely to be popular in the betting. Jockey - Mark Walsh It has been a tough few days for Mark Walsh, who is JP McManus’s most successful jockey in Grade 1s, after the news that he will be replaced by Harry Cobden next term. He takes the ride on Sticwiththeprocess in the rated novice hurdle, who looks like the one to beat. Ted Walsh’s gelding won a maiden hurdle at this course over a shorter trip on seasonal debut and after coming third in a competitive handicap at Punchestown since, this race looks easier and a return to winning ways could be on the cards.
