Layla Joan, right© Photo Healy Racing
At a dry and breezy Fairyhouse the going is Soft after 2.5mm of rain since Friday morning. Today's new meeting came about through reducing the Easter festival from three days to two. The track hosts eight races this afternoon.
The high-quality card, featuring five Graded contests, gets under way at 2.10pm. The Grade 1 mares novice hurdle championship final at 3.15 has seen Gordon Elliot's triple-hurdle winner Layla Joan shorten in the market from 7/2 to 11/4 this morning. Gambling Girl is a notable absentee in this race, leaving eight horses scheduled to go to post.
In Cork, where there is an eight race flat card commencing at 1.55pm, the ground is Heavy following 7mm of rain overnight. The forecast remains unsettled with rain expected. Due to ground conditions there will be no stalls in operation for the final race today. Maarek heads the betting for the Listed Cork Stakes where the crack sprinter faces nine rivals over six furlongs. He is new trainer Evanna McCutcheon's first runner.
