Tudor seeking hurdles breakthrough Tudor City will not be winning out of turn if coming good in the opening Cusack Hotel Group Maiden Hurdle at Fairyhouse on Easter Sunday. An impressive winner on the Flat at Limerick back in October, Tony Martin's charge has since filled the runner-up spot three times on the spin over jumps, most recently going down by just half a length to Ice Cold Soul in the lucrative Coral.ie Hurdle at Leopardstown in January. That looks strong form in the context of this race and many punters will be banking on him to get them off to a flyer. The 22-runner Gleesons Butchers Novice Handicap Hurdle is a competitive heat. Edward O'Grady's The West's Awake heads the weights and although he has been disappointing since his course and distance success in November, he is worth considering on his handicap debut. Martin has booked Ruby Walsh to ride Artful Artist, which is noteworthy, while the Alan Fleming-trained Holly Flight won on her Irish debut at Downpatrick three weeks ago and has scope to improve. Some useful sorts contest the Boylesports Novice Handicap Chase, including Jessica Harrington's top-weight Don't Touch It. The JP McManus-owned gelding won a Grade One novice hurdle at last season's Punchestown Festival and has kept good company over fences this term. He has obvious claims in this €50,000 contest but it is not a straightforward task, with Three Stars a dangerous rival. Henry de Bromhead's inmate drops in class after struggling in Grade One company the last twice. Elusive Ivy and Third Opinion are also respected further down the weights. Clontarf, Cogryhill, Crest and Inis Meain are all candidates for top honours in the Agnelli Motor Park Rated Novice Chase, before proceedings are brought to a close with the €100,000 Tattersalls Ireland George Mernagh Memorial Sales Bumper. Noel Meade's Red Jack sets a high standard having beaten subsequent Champion Bumper runner-up Debuchet on his racecourse debut at Naas in early January. Point-to-point winner Dorydalis looks the best of Gordon Elliott's three runners, while Willie Mullins relies on the unraced Special Ted.
