With "only" seven races and a feature containing three runners, punters won't know themselves at Fairyhouse this afternoon but since one of the three in the Dunstown Wood Chase is Klairon Davis, it is sure to attract attention.
Richard Dunwoody rides the former two-mile champion chaser today and will continue to do so when available throughout the season. Dunwoody should make a successful debut on Klairon Davis because although Beakstown and Fiftysevenchannels are decent animals in their class, the ratings say this isn't their class.
Klairon Davis has proved he is at the top of the two-mile pile over the last three seasons, including his last effort at the Punchestown festival in April when handing out 17lbs and an eight-length defeat to Big Matt in the BMW Handicap Chase.
His trainer Arthur Moore said yesterday: "We think the horse is forward enough and he is certainly very well. If all goes well, he will go to England afterwards for the Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown." That followed his rather disappointing fourth to Martha's Son at Cheltenham where Klairon Davis pulled hard, but even a repeat of those headstrong antics on his seasonal reappearance shouldn't beat him here.
Dunwoody will also be fancying his chances on Amberleigh House in the maiden hurdle. Michael Hourigan's five-year-old has always been highly regarded, but hasn't really lived up to his reputation so far.
Amberleigh House made some mistakes at Listowel last month, but despite that still ran well enough to end up third to Coillte an Ceoil and Dons Delight. If Amberleigh House negotiates the flights more cleanly today, he will be a hard nut to crack.
Another rider who can be on the double mark is Christy Roche. Festival Song has been an infuriating type, finishing placed in seven of her nine races this season, but she looked slightly unlucky at Naas last time when racing away from the eventual winner Sharp Catch until the last half furlong and going down by a short head. The Curragh winner Wish Me Luck has to give Festival Song 7lbs in the opener today and that could prove the vital difference.
Roche abandons the Aidan O'Brien representatives in the Nursery and instead will be on Charles O'Brien's Sun Lion. This one went down to Persian Isle at Gowran Park last week, but Persian Isle's penalty for that success could swing things round in Sun Lion's favour.
Dunwoody's mount in the Rathmore Hurdle, Rodrigo, has fitness on its side, but no jumping experience, while the readiness of the likes of Misty Moments, Mulkev Prince and Phardana, who do have hurdling experience, has to be taken on trust.
However, the booking of Charlie Swan by trainer Sean Treacy for Phardana is encouraging and if Phardana is anywhere near the form he showed when making all to beat As Royal in a maiden at Gowran in February, he will give Rodrigo plenty to think about.
The Summerhill Handicap has a tricky appearance, but maybe Le Ciel can win for the in-form Pat Flynn yard while Fernhill Queen is just preferred in the bumper.
