Make it Mallowney for hat-trick at Fairyhouse
The nine-year-old has been very impressive in his last two victories, one of them over today’s course and distance in the Underwriting Exchange Dan Moore Memorial Handicap Chase, and is preferred to his two rivals, Twinlight and Savello.
Generally regarded as an under-achiever, Mallowney landed a valuable handicap chase at the Punchestown Festival last year, after a few near misses, including a second to Road To Riches at today’s venue.
He has looked a much-improved performer this season, with the exception of a blip behind Twinlght at Leopardstown, going down narrowly to Felix Yonger in a Grade 2 in Cork back in December before producing an impressive performance in the Dan Moore, beating Bright New Dawn emphatically.
Last time, he powered clear up the straight in Naas to beat Rathlin by seventeen lengths, with Twinlight third, in a Grade 2.
Today, Paul Carberry, who won on the gelding over hurdles, takes over from the injured Davy Russell on Mallowney and the partnership gets the vote over the talented but inconsistent Twinlight, winner of the Grade 1 Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase at Leopardstown. If fully recovered from his trip to Cheltenham, Carsonstown Boy should win the hunters chase for Colin McBratney.
Runner-up to Tammys Hill last year, he finished fourth to One The Fringe in this year’s Foxhunters and sets a decent standard. An Dearg Mor, beaten a half-length by Golan Lodge on his debut on this track in February, might recoup losses for Willie and Patrick Mullins in the bumper.
