Denise Foster excited by prospects of Cheltenham absentee in feature hurdle

4.05 Fairyhouse
RYBO Handicap Hurdle (Grade A) | 2m | 4yo+ | RTV/TG4

Willie Mullins has been the man to following in this ultra-competitive €80,000 contest, winning five of the last eight runnings, and the champion trainer throws a handful of darts, with Paul Townend aboard unexposed mare Ruaille Buaille.

The form of her respectable midfield finish at the Dublin Racing Festival was boosted by Cheltenham scorers Heaven Help Us and Telmesomethinggirl, and there could be some scope for improvement off her mark of 129.

Ruaille Buaille: arguably Willie Mullins' leading contender in the RYBO Handicap HurdleCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Denise Foster has also declared five (Presenting Dylan is the reserve), with Eskylane arguably the most interesting, although the unexposed Magic Tricks appeals as one who could prove better than his rating of 132 in time.

The Cullentra House team also send County Hurdle fourth Eclair De Beaufeu into battle, with Jordan Gainford taking off a handy 7lb.

Don't be surprised if admirable handicap stalwart Hearts Are Trumps runs well at a price off his reduced mark of 131 as he's quite effective at Fairyhouse.

What they say

Robbie Burns, trainer of Thosedaysaregone
He's got a lot of weight but goes there in good form after winning last time at Dundalk.

Denise Foster, trainer of Eclair De Beaufeu, Eskylane, Gold Des Bois and Presenting Dylan
Eclair De Beaufeu ran well at Cheltenham and hopefully he can come forward from that again. It'll be exciting to see how Eskylane gets on. I think the extra time from missing Cheltenham will have done him plenty of good. It looks like we should have beautiful ground and I think it will suit our runners, including Gold Des Bois and Presenting Dylan.

Frank Berry, racing manager to JP McManus, owner of Hearts Are Trumps and Magic Tricks
Hearts Are Trumps been very consistent and the drying ground will be a help to him. Magic Tricks lacks experience but Denise [Foster] is happy with him.

Edward Cawley, trainer of Golden Jewel
He's been very consistent but has crept up the weights as a result and the handicapper probably has a hold of him now.

Tony Martin, trainer of Golden Spear
He may not have won for a little while but he still shows plenty of enthusiasm, keeps picking up prize-money and the ground is coming right for him.

Noel Meade, trainer of Lignou
The better the ground, the better his chance. He's probably novicey enough for a race like this, but you'd be hoping he could be competitive off his mark.

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