EXILE TO SHINE AS WARRIOR GETS UNDERWAY

Ian Fortune

Road Exile is set to show his class as the Droopys Stud Fair Warrior Open 400 gets underway at Mullingar this afternoon. This year’s competition boasts a €5,000 winner’s purse and Road Exile is seen as favourite to land the prize.

The Pat Buckley trained star gets his challenge underway in the last of the seven opening round heats. The brilliant son of Droopys Sydney has regularly dipped under the 21 second barrier at Dundalk and if translating that form should have too much ammunition for tonight’s opposition.  

Of his rivals, Born Racer, Cosmonaut, Grove Patrick and Scarborough Fair all have the ability to get involved but should Road Exile handle Mullingar, he will prove very difficult to stop.

FIRE TO BEGIN DEFENCE IN STYLE

2023 champion Pavilion Fire gets his defence underway in Heat 5. The son of Good News has been lightly raced this term and has claimed only one victory since capturing last year’s Fair Warrior.

He is drawn in four today and looks certain to make a bold bid although he will need to hit the ground running. 

Of his rivals, Ballymac Deboss is an interesting recruit to the sprinting ranks and could emerge as the main threat but Pavilion Fire is selected to come home in front.

GOLD HAS HIS CLAIMS

Richard Irwin and Aidan McVeigh also have strong claims in Heat 2 where Pavilion Gold is amongst the favourites.

He boasts some strong Dundalk form and is likely to have a big say. Zippy Canning is another with some superb form over two bends and can also have a big say in the outcome.

ECLIPSE AN INTERESTING RUNNER

Antigua Eclipse is one of the more interesting runners in the event. He takes his place on Heat 3.

 He has been largely out of luck since returning from the UK but a repeat of anything like his best form would see him go close. Leahs Best could also make a good sprinter and is nominated as a big threat, while Heatseeker is another worth a second glance.

MO TO RETURN IN STYLE

Feshtys Mo returns from a layoff in Heat 6 but should have too much for his rivals if his latest sprint trial around Limerick is anything to go by.

Phoenix Tyson is another with strong claims in this contest, although he has been out of luck in recent outings and needs to find his trapping boots. 

CAN JET FIND FORM?

The two remaining heats are wide open.

Slight preference is for Jetara in the opening heat although he does need to return to some form, while Heat 4 looks a real conundrum. Much will come down to which makes the best start.