Fairyhouse Tips: Letsbeclearaboutit – the Drinmore is his to lose

A super Sunday awaits thanks to a bumper eight-race card - featuring a hat-trick of Grade Ones - at Fairyhouse.

Below are a couple of tips for the Winter Festival finale.

14:00 - Letsbeclearaboutit @ 13/8

I found the Royal Bond too tricky and don't fancy opposing a potential superstar in Impaire Et Passe in the Hatton's Grace, so the Grade 1 that's piqued my interest from a betting standpoint is the Drinmore Novice Chase.

Only five go to post, and the market suggests it's something of a three-way affair between Letsbeclearaboutit, Found A Fifty and Sharjah.

At time of writing, the former is the favourite - and I firmly believe he'll justify that position.

Gavin Cromwell's eight-year-old was a talented novice hurdler whose highlights included finishing fourth in the Albert Bartlett at this year's Cheltenham Festival, but for me he's gone to a new level over the bigger obstacles.

He beat a fair yardstick in the 132-rated Largy Debut with supreme ease on his first start in that discipline at Gowran Park back in September, before following up in Grade 3 company at Cork just over a month later.

I thought he was extremely impressive that day - probably as much as any novice chaser not named Facile Vega or Gaelic Warrior so far this season. The form isn't bad either, with the third-placed Senecia (beaten 16L) running the 150+ rated Hercule Du Seuil close previously and Lucid Dreams (beaten 18½L) going close in a Grade 2 at Punchestown last weekend.

Despite his age, Sharjah has taken to chasing like a duck to water but this is his toughest assignment yet. Found A Fifty was impressive on his debut over fences at Down Royal but that form is questionable and several omitted fences in the home straight must be accounted for.

They - and Irish Grand National hero I Am Maximus providing the handbrake isn't on - are no mugs, but I think Letsbeclearaboutit is more than ready to record a first Grade 1 success.

15:10 - Foxy Girl @ 9/2

Just over an hour later is a Listed handicap hurdle that looks a lot like the one ran at Down Royal last month.

The winner that day, Magic Tricks, re-appears off a seven-pound higher mark - while The Model Kingdom and Foxy Girl, who were second and third respectively, oppose again.

I said this the last day, but I'm convinced the latter is very well-handicapped and could make a mockery of her mark (125) when she puts it all together.

Hopefully that'll be on Sunday. She ran keenly in rear at Down Royal and didn't jump great, but travelled into contention stylishly and was just a little one-paced at the finish, probably due to the energy she exerted early doors.

She should come on for that run and appreciate this slightly shorter trip on marginally better ground. I'm hopeful that, off better terms, she can reverse form with the winner and runner-up.

Of the other 16 runners, I'm wary of Gordon Elliott's Media Naranja and Falmborough for Thomas Gibney. But I believe there's none better handicapped than the selection.