Redstone can prevent total Gordon Elliott dominance at Fairyhouse
![Redstone can prevent total Gordon Elliott dominance at Fairyhouse Redstone can prevent total Gordon Elliott dominance at Fairyhouse](https://www.irishexaminer.com/cms_media/module_img/7749/3874813_1_articlesmall_Redstone_20Fhouse_20f18.jpg)
PROMOSING PROSPECT: Redstone got the better of King Of Kingsfield in early October and can build on that success in Saturday's Close Brothers Rated Novice Hurdle. Picture: Healy Racing
Gordon Elliott dominated the recent festivals in Down Royal, Navan, and Punchestown, and he has a great chance of doing likewise in this weekend’s festival at his local track, in Fairyhouse. It is not inconceivable that he could go through the card on Saturday, though there are plenty of stumbling blocks along the way on what is a classy programme.
He is probably weakest in the Close Brothers Rated Novice Hurdle, in which he relies upon recent winner Western Fold. His charge is open to improvement, but it is Redstone, representing another local trainer, Gavin Cromwell, who is preferred.
In with every chance when falling at the last on his only outing in a point-to-point, the selection made his track debut in early October and got the better of the smart King Of Kingsfield. While he was in receipt of 8lbs from the runner-up and that rival was since beaten, he was well on top at the line and promises to be even better over this trip. He travelled sweetly that day, found plenty for pressure, and has plenty of size and scope to develop into a smart hurdler before being even better as a chaser.
Last-time-out winners Release The Beast, Answer To Kayf, and Waterford Whispers are all open to improvement and very much respected.
Race three is the Kettles Country House Hotel Maiden Hurdle and amongst the 25 declared runners are unbeaten Grade One-winning bumper horse Ballyburn, the three-time bumper winner Firefox, whose form looks exceptionally strong, and Helvic Dream, who won a Group 1 on the Flat. There are other interesting runners, including Lehaunstown, Irancy, and Intent Approach, but they will need to be exceptional to deal with the three previously mentioned.
Marginal preference is for Elliott’s Firefox, who has previous hurdling experience, having made his track debut, in November 2022, over timber. He also showed himself to be in good form when readily landing long odds-on favouritism last month at Down Royal and, with much better expected this time, he can account for Ballyburn and Helvic Dream.
One of the more interesting runners on the card is Grey Diamond, who makes his debut for Gordon Elliott in the listed Easyfix Equine Handicap Chase. The nine-year-old has already been with Alan King, Nigel Twiston-Davies, and Sam Thomas, and the 139-rated chaser cost just £35,000 in May.
While behind Dancing On My Own, who re-opposes, when last seen, he is 10lbs better off this time. Prior to that, he won at Haydock, and prior to that was travelling strongly when falling two out. Despite his age, there could be more to come from him, and it will be interesting to see what way he moves in the market.
11:45 Three Card Brag
12:15 Reddys Island
12:50 Firefox
1:25 Redstone (nap)
2:00 Grey Diamond
2:35 Golden Joy (nb)
3:10 Hunting Brook
3:40 Jalon D’oudairies
11:45 Nick Rockett
12:15 Weihnachts
12:50 Ballyburn
1:25 Answer To Kayf
2:00 Dancing On My Own
2:35 Gust Of Wind
3:10 Nine Graces
3:40 Inn At The Park