Fabulous Fayonagh to make hurdling debut at Fairyhouse on Saturday

Fayonagh, the star bumper performer last season when she achieved Grade 1 success at the Cheltenham and Punchestown festivals, is set to make her eagerly awaited hurdling debut at Fairyhouse on Saturday.

The six-year-old’s trainer Gordon Elliott said: “Fayonagh is in good form and is ready to start off over hurdles. The plan is to run her in the two-mile maiden at Fairyhouse and Davy Russell will probably ride her.”

Fayonagh, a daughter of Kalanisi, won four of her five bumper starts, scoring at Naas and Fairyhouse before finishing strongly from behind after losing ground at the start to land the Weatherbys Champion Bumper at Cheltenham.

Differerent tactics were employed at Punchestown where she made all to win the Racing Post Champion Bumper by five and a half lengths.

National heroes back for more

The Ladbrokes Munster National was one of several big-money handicap chases Elliott won last season but he will not be represented in Sunday's edition, for which Henry de Bromhead's seven-time chase winner Devils Bride heads the weights following the final forfeit stage.

A total of 29 remain in the 3m event with De Bromhead's four acceptors also including Stellar Notion who finished runner-up in the event 12 months ago.

Devils Bride (blue cap) is due to contest Sunday's Munster NationalCredit: Caroline Norris

Two previous winners of the race are also engaged, with the Charles Byrnes-trained Shanpallas, who was successful in 2014 and the 2012 winner Raz De Maree, trained by Gavin Cromwell.

The Brian Meehan-trained Agent Murphy, Travertine, trained by Niall Madden, and the Ger Lyons-trained Savannah Storm share top weight for the Irish Cesarewitch, which will be run at Navan for the first time on Sunday.

Fairyhouse Saturday card

Munster National card

Irish Cesarewitch card