Fairyhouse preview: Mick Fitzgerald teams up with Michael Halford's topweight Tipperary All Star in the £150,000 Handicap Hurdle at Ascot this afternoon where Irish interest will also centre on the other end of the weights with both Victram and Well Mounted.
The long-time ante-post favourite Tarlac will be ridden by JP McManus's retained jockey Tony McCoy leaving Fitzgerald free for Tipperary All Star who has been raised a massive 24lb for an impressive success at Cheltenham on his last start.
Well Mounted has been steadily backed in betting for the race all week while Victram will bid to add to a memorable Imperial Cup victory at Sandown last season.
Even the top chaser Beef Or Salmon gets in on the hurdling act at Fairyhouse where Michael Hourigan's veteran star warms up for an attempt at a fourth Lexus Chase over Christmas in the conditions race.
A good run over the smaller obstacles at Fairyhouse preceded Beef Or Salmon's defeat of War Of Attrition at Down Royal in October but the nine times Grade One winner could have to settle for another minor role today behind Wednesday's Downpatrick winner Bella's Baileys.
Zarakash, a Newton Abbot winner last year, followed a series of sprint runs for Niall Madden with a good effort behind Jaamid on his last start. Good Step, also owned by JP McManus, tops the weights and Zarakashlooks to have a good opportunity now to win again.
The three miles of the first Beginners Chase on the card should be ideal for the dour staying Back To Bidwho was a big disappointment on his last trip to Fairyhouse while his stable companion Alqaab, a winner for Marcus Tegoning at Lingfield last summer, is an interesting runner in the opening race.
Whizbangreturned from a long absence with a fine run behind Sir Frederick here earlier in the month and looks well worth checking out in the second Beginners Chase.
