7:30 Fairyhouse Tips

Mark has been steadily dropping, and he took full advantage of running off 53 at Limerick last month to get off the mark at the ninth attempt. Can follow up here.

Verhoyen ran its best race lately and took a race on this card over CD last year. It is way below that rating now and so looks like a good bet to get back on track.

They are dropping this one back down to 7f with a 7 lbs claimer jockey booking/change. A good value each way bet for the 5 places available.

Nicola Burns is booked for the first time here, and she actually has a better strike rate than the pro jockey she replaces. So the fact that she claims 7lb is a serious bonus, especially since the horse has gone close when placed twice in big handicaps this year. She was only beaten a head in the first of those two runs, and the horses around her would put her nearer the 78 mark than the 72 she races off here. The first-time hood and the jockey's claim add extra weight to the case, and she could go very close.

Open race with five places up for grabs. Flopped last time out when being a 4/1 favorite in a 0-80. Dropped to 0-75 this time and hoping can bounce back into form.

Winner over trip in January and February off his current mark and a pound higher on the AW. He hasn't taken to turf since but was only beaten half a length under today's jockey off a big 13lb higher, so he has the ability to win this. His last two outings on turf have been encouraging, and off his current mark, I think he should be able to win on turf at last.

Although he appeared to get a mile okay when staying on third at Gowran Park in April, Ohmali faded late on at Cork last month, suggesting that he'd benefit from dropping back to today's trip. Well drawn for a prominent racer, he looks a realistic each-way bet at double-figure odds.

This horse has a recent win and consistent placings in its form, suggesting strong current ability. With M.D. O'Callaghan training and Leigh Roche riding, Darkdeserthighway is well-positioned for a strong performance.

Made a pleasing return after a short break when in midfield on turf at Leopardstown. Wasn’t beaten far and was given a particularly hard race over an extended 7f trip. Should strip fitter here and one for the shortlist.

Venetian is drawn 15 for trainer Sean Davis with Ronan Cleary up and comes here after a 75-day break. From 19 runs, he has a 0% win rate and 36% place rate, but has placed over this trip and on similar going. He is running off 61, which is fair based on his placed efforts but still looking for that breakthrough. Was short of room late at Limerick last time and had decent winter AW form, so not discounted in my opinion. The wide draw is not ideal and fitness may be tested, but could sneak a place if things fall right. Each way chance if sharp enough with 5 places on offer.

Decent enough 17 runner handicap is the last at Fairyhouse. Never Not Lucky is a big price at 33s. Up against some fair sorts in a fillies maiden when beaten 1.5 lengths back in October. Hasn't progressed from that but now debuts in a handicap over seven furlongs. By No Nay Never, so trip should be within range. Interesting for Diego Dias. Yudish Geerdharry claims 7lbs.

Una Matata won a CD maiden, beating an odds-on jolly who has since gone on to win two races and is now rated 78. Una Matata hasn't raced on good ground since that CD victory and has now plummeted down to a mark of 69 from 77. This is a very lenient mark, and I'm on e/w at 50/1 with 5 places on offer.

Low numbers have a big advantage here, and Masked Angel in stall 3 appeals at a massive 33/1. She has dropped to a very good-looking mark, and the ground has come into her favor. She ran better than her finishing position suggests here over an inadequate trip.

Pinball Wizard has not won since last September, but that was off a 64 at 7f. On the return from a break in May, he was a decent second off a 70 at 7f. He then stepped up to 1m2f for a couple of runs and was pants. I think that today's return to 7f off a 65 deserves an EW 5P.