Fairyhouse Easter Festival: Tasty tips for Irish Grand National day

Sutton Place has won his last two starts in impressive fashion and can complete the hat-trick in the Grade 2 novice hurdle at 15:15.

The Gordon Elliott trained gelding shaped really well on debut when a not knocked about third at Navan, and duly built on that effort to score easily by 4 3/4 lenghs at this venue.

Sutton Place then took the step up into Listed company in his stride when slamming Royal Caviar by 8 1/2 lengtsh at Navan when last seen in action.

The five-year-old overcame a mistake four out, and after being produced to challenge at the last forged clear to win going away.

It was a most taking performance and, although this demands more, Sutton Place looks to be on a serious upward curve and should have plenty more to offer.

Roll It Out ready to rumble

In the 2m 6f handicap hurdle (15:50), Roll It Out looks decent each-way value.

The gelding scored in good style on his hurdling debut when landing a 20-runner contest at Down Royal back in 2013, and the race has thrown up plenty of subsequent winners.

Although Roll It Out has failed to get his head in front in 11 subsequent starts, the seven-year-old has run some solid races to make the frame.

They include a fine head third to Prince Of Scars two starts back at Navan, and the winner has gone to to land a Grade 1 contest at Leopardstown to give the form a solid look.

Judged on that run Roll It Out should be up to winning races off his current mark of 127 and, with underfoot conditions holding no fears and Barry Geraghty in the saddle, everything looks in place for a big run.

Dedigout can double up

Trainer Tony Martin has returned to form following a spell in the doldrums, and his Dedigout holds outstanding claims of landing back-to-back successes in the Grade 2 Keelings Irish Strawberry Hurdle at 16:20.

The 10-year-old looked better than ever last season, landing a brace of Grade 2 contests at Gowran Park and Navan before beating Thousand Stars by three lengths in this race 12 months ago.

Dedigout was then off the track for 314 days, and ran below par on return to action at Navan when last of three to Snow Falcon.

However, the son of Bob Back was not knocked about once it was clear he would not be winning and the run should have blown away the cobwebs.

A rating of 157 also gives Dedigout 4lb and upwards in hand on his rivals, and Martin is a shrewd cookie who is sure to have the gelding spot on to try and and retain his crown.

Selections

14:40 Slowmotion
15:15 Sutton Place (Nap)
15:40 Roll It Out (e/w)
16:20 Dedigout (NB)
17:35 Emily Gray
18:10 Blue Bicycle
18:40 Death Duty

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