Notre Pere to deliver at Fairyhouse

Once again there is very good racing to look forward to this weekend. At Fairyhouse Notre Pere is a confident selection to win the feature event, the Bobbyjo chase. The softer the ground the better for this dour stayer. He has yet to hit top form this season but faces an easy enough task tomorrow barring accidents. On his best form Casey Jones would be a danger but he much prefers better ground than he will encounter tomorrow. Alaivan looks a class apart in the juvenile hurdle but will be very short in the market. The rest of the card is ultra competitive and very difficult to find winners so I will concentrate on the UK action for the rest of my fancies. If Haydock goes ahead Adams Island looks good in the 3.00pm race. This horse is a relentless galloper and should have too many guns for the opposition. I also like Predictive in the 1.50pm race at Uttoxeter. This horse is a course winner that stays well and should relish the conditions. At Naas on Sunday Tranquil Sea should win and hopefully he will not be too short in the market with Scotsirish in opposition. Take it Easee is one I like in the handicap hurdle although that is a very competitive race and is one for only small stakes.

Reflections: It was amazing to see Zaynar beaten at Kelso on Thursday, he was the only danger in my book beforehand to Solwhit in the champion hurdle. I still wonder whether Philip Fenton will be tempted to run the mighty Dunguib in the Champion Hurdle as it does not look a strong renewal this year.

It is not too long to the flat season as well and it will be fascinating to see if St Nicholas Abbey proves the real deal this season. He does look a machine but has yet to encounter fast ground so that might be a slight worry. Aidan O'Brien's tally of 10 group 1 prizes last season will easily be bettered this season in my view, as he has a host of promising sorts to look forward to plus a very strong older horse brigade this season including Rip Van Winkle,Fame and Glory and Age of Aquarius. At First Sight is a potential dark horse and this Galileo colt could be one to follow later in the season.