Peter Fahey dreaming of the big time with Punchestown hope Gypsy Island

Peter Fahey is expecting big things from rapidly improving filly Gypsy Island in the Grade 3 mares’ bumper at Punchestown on Wednesday.

Renowned as one of Ireland’s shrewdest trainers outside the top bracket, Fahey has been lucky to find a flag-bearer virtually every season since taking his licence out in 2010. But in Gypsy Island, he feels he has a potential top-notcher.

Peter Fahey: 'Gypsy Island did her last piece of work ahead of Punchestown on the Curragh yesterday [Friday] morning and she worked well.'Credit: Patrick McCann

At an open day at his Monasterevin-based stables, Fahey said: “Gypsy Island did her last piece of work ahead of Punchestown on the Curragh yesterday [Friday] morning and worked well.

“We didn’t do much with her, just a bit of a breeze, but she did it well, which will leave her spot on for next week. She’s in really good nick.”

Gypsy Island didn't have to do a lot when winning her Listed bumper at Fairyhouse last time, either. After travelling into the race supremely well under Derek O'Connor, she shot clear of what looked an up-to-scratch field to maintain her unbeaten record in bumpers, two of which have been for JP McManus.

In many ways, her fruitful campaign has been an afterthought, with connections rerouting to bumpers after she suffered her only defeat on her hurdling debut at Navan in November, and Fahey is convinced there’s more to come.

Gypsy Island: leads the stringCredit: Patrick McCann

He said: “I suppose, with the way the season has worked out for her, you could say getting beaten on her hurdling debut at Navan was the best thing that could have happened.

"It’s left her with great options this year in bumpers and she’ll be a year older going jumping next season, which will help.”

He added: “Derek was beaming after Fairyhouse, so he clearly liked her. I knew she’d travel into it that day but I was just wondering how much she’d find in that company.

“To find another gear and sprint away from them was a very good performance. I’m really looking forward to seeing what she can do next year over hurdles as well, and I think she’ll be better with a bit of an ease.

“I’m genuinely thrilled for JP McManus. We’ve had young horses for JP, and still have breakers for him, but he bought Gypsy Island after she won at Ballinrobe and was very good to leave her with us.”

It’s not all about Gypsy Island for Fahey at Punchestown. He expects big runs from Timeforwest, a recent Grade 3 winner over fences at Cork, and The Big Dog.

Timeforwest: the recent Grade 3 winner is Punchestown boundCredit: Patrick McCann

He said: “Timeforwest seems to have come out of her win at Cork well and the plan is to go for the big mares' handicap chase on the Friday.

"I think she could be well handicapped and something like a Galway Plate could suit further down the line, but we’ll get Punchestown over with first.

“If the ground comes up on the soft side I’d like to run The Big Dog in the Grade 1 Irish Daily Mirror Novice Hurdle on Wednesday.

"We’d planned on running in the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham but he didn’t get in. If conditions come in his favour next week, I think he could take a bit of beating.”

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