'She seems in great form and will love the rain' - thoughts from connections for an intriguing Grade 2 at Fairyhouse

Which Kopeck De Mee can we expect to see? That's the poser for punters ahead of an intriguing Grade 2 fascinating on so many levels. 

Kopeck De Mee, of course, was the big buzz horse ahead of the Cheltenham Festival, so much so he was sent off 5-2 favourite to win the Martin Pipe on his first start away from France. But it proved a tale of woe last month as he dived at the first and never looked happy. 

The Kopeck De Mee we saw at Aintree looked a different kettle of fish altogether. He flew home from the second-last, making up about a dozen lengths to go down by a neck to Wellington Arch, and would have got up in another stride or two, so maybe the rumours were true after all. 

He brings an official rating of 143 to the table here but has to give weight away to some good horses and is probably worth taking on at the prices. 

Stablemate Gala Marceau is already a dual Grade 1 winner and the conditions of the race really suit her. She gets weight from all her rivals and, while nothing has gone right for her of late, she is still a smart mare and this trip on this ground is absolutely ideal.

Willie Mullins has won this five times with Thousand Stars (2014), Renneti (2017), Coquin Mans (2018), Stormy Ireland (2021) and Asterion Forlonge (2023) and you wouldn't get a huge price about that becoming six, given he supplies the top two in the market who have plenty going for them. 

One man who might have something to say about that is Paul Nolan. Feet Of A Dancer and Sandor Clegane both boast decent claims and those who backed the former in the Pertemps Final might have been thinking it was one that got away given where she came from to finish fourth. She was only beaten just over five lengths by Doddiethegreat and this drop in trip, under a more positive ride, could bring her right into the mix. 

While Feet Of A Dancer finished strongly in the Pertemps Final, Sandor Clegane did quite the opposite in the Coral Cup. He loomed up ominously on the home turn but paid the price for being too keen in the early exchanges and faded into tenth, albeit beaten only ten lengths. 

Sandor Clegane has loads of ability but has yet to fulfil his early potential and has not won a race of any sort since the Punchestown festival of 2023. On his best form and on his best behaviour, he would be extremely hard to beat on these terms. 

Kala Conti: may prove pick of Gordon Elliott four-strong teamCredit: Patrick McCann

Gordon Elliott has never won this Grade 2 and is four-handed in an attempt to break his duck. Maxxum fell in this race last year when holding every chance, so might go well from the front, but perhaps Kala Conti might be the best of his team. 

It's a tricky puzzle to solve with all sorts of shapes and sizes making up the field, but it might be the smallest of the lot who comes out on top. Gala Marceau gets all the allowances and she could get back to winning ways under a waiting ride from Paul Townend.

What they say 

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Beacon Edge, Maxxum, Staffordshire Knot and Kala Conti
Maxxum is the highest rated of mine and would have gone close in the race last year but for falling two out. He seems to be in good form and should go well. Kala Conti is a cracking mare, but just found life a bit tough against Lossiemouth in the Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham. This should be more her cup of tea. Beacon Edge is some legend of a horse and always tries his heart out. It will be tough for him here, though. Staffordshire Knot hasn't lived up to our expectations and will need to bounce back to land a blow here.

Lorna Fowler, trainer of Colonel Mustard
He's in brilliant form, and has been all year. He's loving life and this looks a nice race for him. I don't think the ground will be an issue for him. He just doesn't want it sticky, but he doesn't mind some cut.

Paul Nolan, trainer of Sandor Clegane and Feet Of A Dancer
Sandor Clegane just isn't hitting the line as well as I would like in his races. He was very keen in the Coral Cup, so he did well to finish as close as he did, but I'd love to see him hitting the line a bit better. Feet Of A Dancer seems in great form and she will love the rain that fell. We're coming back in trip as I just felt we were better coming here rather than waiting for Punchestown on quicker ground.

Read more...

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