Tunes back over hurdles Sweeney Tunes will revert to hurdles at Fairyhouse on Saturday as he tries to recapture his old sparkle. The eight-year-old won the Grade Two Nas Na Riogh Novice Chase at Naas nearly 12 months ago before going on to finish a highly creditable fourth in the Irish Grand National. However, he has struggled to make his mark in four subsequent starts over fences, although he showed a little of his old ability when sixth in the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas. Sweeney Tunes was last seen when pulling up in a competitive Leopardstown handicap last weekend and as he still boasts a rating of 141 over fences, trainer Paul Nolan has adjusted his sights to the Amazing April Top Class Jumps At Fairyhouse Rated Hurdle, which he qualifies for as he has a mark some 20lb lower. Nolan said: "He was disappointing the last day in Leopardstown after running so well in the Paddy Power. "He was a bit disappointing the last time he ran over hurdles in Navan (in November) too, but we're hoping he can come back to his better form. "We're not sure if it was the first-time blinkers that helped in the Paddy Power. He won a Grade Two chase last year and ran so well to finish fourth in the Irish National but those kind of runs see you go up the handicap a bit and against the big boys, you couldn't really say you were well handicapped. "He's rated 20lb lower over hurdles, though, so you'd have to hope he'd have a chance of coming back to something like his better form." Sweeney Tunes will race without blinkers this time, with Nolan trying cheekpieces. A total of 10 are set to go to post for the two-and-a-half-mile heat, with three last-time-out winners in contention. Stuart Crawford fields recent Down Royal victor Man With Van, while The Pounds represents Tom Foley on the back of a Thurles triumph. The Gordon Elliott-trained Roll It Out was a debut winner at Down Royal and he will try to make it two wins in as many starts.
