Top Class Racing This Weekend There is a quality line-up of jumping stars at Fairyhouse, Navan and Cork this weekend. Following his fine win in the John Durkan Memorial Steeplechase at Punchestown last weekend, all eyes will be on the Michael Hourigan trained Beef Or Salmon in the O’Connell Warehousing Hilly Way Steeplechase at Cork on Sunday. Winner of this race last year, he is faced by just four rivals this time round but with the likes of specialist two milers Rathgar Beau and Native Scout engaged, his task may not be as easy as it first appears. After winning the Grade One Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse two weeks ago, the James Bowe trained Solerina is the star attraction at Navan on Sunday when she lines up in the Giltspur and Scientific Tara Hurdle over two and a half miles. Having made all to win comfortably two weeks ago, she is likely to adopt similar front running tactics again and while the likes of Noel Meade’s Rosaker and the Thomas O’Leary trained Scarthy Lad are sure to run well, Solerina has the class to add to her already considerable earnings. The Tony Martin trained Xenophon makes his debut over fences on Sunday in Navan in the Kevin McManus Bookmakers European Breeders Fund Novice Steeplechase and while he faces no easy task with the likes of Sum Leader, Splendour and The Galway Man in opposition, he would need to win well to justify his position at the head of the Sun Alliance market. On an excellent seven race card in Navan the Barry and Sandra Kelly Memorial Novice Hurdle over two and a half miles has attracted the smallest field of the day but it should still prove to be a very interesting affair. Newmill made all the running to land the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse two weeks ago and this smart sort is likely to head the market here although his ability to last out this two and a half mile distance may be open to question. He faces strong opposition in the shape of Kadiskar who scored over this course and distance three weeks ago while Fairwood Present and Kildare are two others with solid claims over this trip.
