The Punt Daily: Maddy Playle with three to follow at Fairyhouse

BANKER

Brace Yourself (6.15 Fairyhouse)

Don Cossack (2012), Anibale Fly (2015), Blow By Blow (2016) and Samcro (2017) are recent winners of this race and Brace Yourself looks the type to be similarly successful in years to come.

Noel Meade's gelding was purchased for £165,000 at Cheltenham's sales back in November and has showed promise in his two starts under rules.

His strong-staying third to Blackbow – who went on to finish a close-up fifth in the Champion Bumper – sets the standard and the son of Mahler can show enough progression to claim this.

EACH-WAY PLAY

Dounikos (5.00 Fairyhouse)

Disappointing in the RSA Chase, Dounikos was a bit of a talking horse before Cheltenham as Gordon Elliott wanted to run him in the National Hunt Chase, for which he was well backed.

It wasn't to be, but based on his strong-staying fourth in the Flogas Novice Chase – one of the top pieces of novice form we've seen in England or Ireland this season – which was boosted by second-placed Al Boum Photo when he won the Ryanair Gold Cup yesterday, Dounikos looks to have a cracking chance.

Staying trips look sure to bring out improvement in Gigginstown House Stud's seven-year-old, who receives the assistance of Davy Russell for the first time, and he can follow in the footsteps of Our Duke, who won as a novice last year.

DARK HORSE

Sayar (2.45 Fairyhouse)

Willie Mullins ran both Scarpeta and Duc Des Genievres in yesterday's Grade 2 novice hurdle and his Ballymore fourth and fifth failed to sparkle behind Pallasator and Jetz.

Both Getabird (11th) and Sharjah (eighth) disappointed in the Supreme and look bad value at the top of the market.

There's every chance Sayar could want better ground but the ex-Aga Khan gelding has won a Grade 3 on soft/heavy and comes into this a fresh horse. He looks open to any amount of improvement after winning both of his starts since joining Mullins.

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