Graphic Equaliser is nap choice

The former Frank Lacy-trained Graphic Equaliser, a young horse that could develop into a live Ladbroke Hurdle candidate, makes his first start for that Ladbroke specialist Arthur Moore in the Pierse New Stand Handicap Hurdle at Fairyhouse this afternoon.

It is also his first appearance since Cheltenham where he ran so well in the Citroen Supreme Novices Hurdle and his first effort in a handicap. He looks fairly treated on the balance of his jumping form especially as he was still there with a serious chance at the second last flight before weakening into fifth place behind Shadow Leader.

At first sight one might have thought this was a steeplechase with the 10 runners including Ultra Flutter, Manhattan Castle and Arctic Weather.

The top weight, Lady Daisy, is at least a specialist hurdler and she performed close enough to her rating in the Morgiana Hurdle at Cork to be seen as a serious runner. Then she was third to Cockney Lad and Just Little. She could be the danger to Graphic Equaliser.

Another good ride of Conor O'Dwyer's is His Song in the J C's Traditional Meat Hurdle. David Lloyd lost his star chaser Sound Man earlier this year but His Song on the evidence of a smashing hurdles debut at Naas could be a solid substitute as he is also a point-to-point winner.

The form figures of Rainbow Frontier mix together flat and jumping races and conceal his unbeaten hurdles record.

That should be still intact after the running of the Peter O'Sullevan Hurdle with Fairyhouse marking today's final BBC broadcast by the mellifluous commentator who could with all justification have added the words "with wonderful speed" to the title of his autobiography Calling The Horses.

The Grey Mare, who has good handicap form over a distance of ground, could on that score alone have the advantage over her nine rivals in the P J Carroll and Co Sillogue Novice Hurdle.

Fairyhouse racetrack hope to raise considerable funds for the Shane Broderick Appeal Fund during this weekend's two-day fixture. The Gala Ball tonight at the Berkeley Court Hotel will have over 300 in attendance with proceeds from tickets and auctions going to the former jockey's fund.