'He'll love the ground and we've trained him for it' - will Buddy make you rich?

Sunday: 4.20 Fairyhouse
BoyleSports Novice Handicap Chase | 2m½f | 5yo+ | RTE1/RTV

If they ever bring a movie about Mt Leinster to the big screen, parental guidance will have to be suggested. It can be scary stuff to watch the eight-year-old in full flow and he often produces leaps that would frighten the life out of you.

He made it fifth time lucky over fences at Leopardstown last month but as his price of 2-11 suggested, he could hardly fail to take advantage of that golden opportunity. He won by 13 lengths in the end but there were mistakes along the way.

The handicapper left him untouched on a mark of 136 so, as is always the case with Mt Leinster, if he does produce a clean round of jumping and consents to settle, he will take a bit of stopping. Those are big ifs, though.

Buddy Rich is a far more reliable alternative. He has been out of the first two only once over fences and comes here fresh having missed his intended engagement in the Grand Annual following the rain at Cheltenham. His mark of 138 looks perfectly fair and he ought to go close.

Grange Walk was over five lengths ahead of Buddy Rich when they met over course and distance in November but John Ryan's ultra-consistent seven-year-old is now rated 140. That said, he chased home Gentleman De Mee at Navan last time and that form doesn't look too shabby after what we saw at Aintree last Saturday.

Mt Leinster: out to double his account over fences at Fairyhouse on SundayCredit: Caroline Norris

Of the others, Take All has been consistent in these sorts of contests all season and Bold Emperor must have a squeak despite being 1lb out of the handicap. But perhaps Kalkas is the most interesting of all. It is only his second handicap and he is just 2lb higher than when second at Leopardstown last month.

It is worth noting that the last winning favourite was Some Tikket back in 2014 at 6-1.

What they say

John Ryan, trainer of Grange Walk and Presenting Bonnie
Grange Walk looks to have a great chance. He's got a big weight but he's probably a Graded-class horse and has met plenty of these already. Decent ground makes a big difference to him. Presenting Bonnie has a lovely racing weight. If she gets a bit of luck she might be able to get a place.

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Buddy Rich and One Down
Buddy Rich has done nothing wrong since we've sent him over fences. He'll love the ground and we've trained him for this since he missed the Grand Annual. I'm expecting a big run. One Down probably has a bit to do and will need to step up on what he showed at Leopardstown.

Seamus Fahey, trainer of Take All
We're looking forward to getting him back over fences, having been hurdling the last twice. I'm concerned the ground might not be soft enough for him. We'd prefer more rain but he's in good form and will take his chance.

Henry de Bromhead, trainer of Kalkas
It was a good run from him last time at Leopardstown. He seems to be in good form but we'd like to see some rain for him.

Tom Gibney, trainer of Bold Emperor
It's a nice prize and the race looks quite open. I was delighted with his run a fortnight ago at Fairyhouse and he seems to have come out of it in good order. He looks to have a decent chance.

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