NAP of the Day: Prince Palace to rule at Fairyhouse

Another winning NAP of the Day earlier this week means we're operating at a 50% strike rate since Christmas. Can we keep it going? Here's who I'm trusting to do exactly that...

My first thought when studying this handicap hurdle over three miles was: why has Mint Boy been awarded an opening mark of 126?

Famous last words, but Gavin Cromwell's six-year-old has now had four runs over hurdles and, having had a good look through the form book, I can't wrap my head around that lofty rating.

Therefore, I'm keen to oppose him - and I've settled on Prince Palace for Pat Fahy.

If you put a line through his effort behind Willie Mullins' Chapeau De Soleil on deplorable ground at Clonmel early last month, he's run two highly-promising races in defeat behind a couple of well-regarded types for Henry De Bromhead in Mahon's Way and Chigorin.

The selection split the latter, a €90,000 buy, and Mullins' odds-on favourite O'Moore Park, who fetched £240,000, at Fairyhouse the last day which looks strong form in the context of Saturday's contest.

Unlike Mint Boy, he's been given a real chance ahead of his first go in handicap company. I'd say a mark of 116 is very workable indeed.

Perhaps most interestingly, he was entered in a Grade 1 novice hurdle at next month's Dublin Racing Festival earlier this week. Hopeful? Sure, but he must be showing something at home to have warranted it.

If connections are to even dare to dream about fulfilling that obligation, he absolutely has to be beating this field in these circumstances - it's as simple as that.

The majority of these are completely exposed and vulnerable to a younger, improving type, which I'm hoping is Prince Palace, who should cope with this trip in these conditions.