Fairyhouse building up for Easter Festival The €250,000 Ladbrokes Irish Grand National is the highlight of the three-day Fairyhouse Easter Festival meeting which takes place from Sunday April 8 to Tuesday April 10, with plenty to excite all the family both on and off the track. The “National” looks a particularly open event this year and is described “as a real bookmakers race” by Fairyhouse manager Peter Roe. “It is no wonder that Ladbrokes sponsor the race and it is very competitive this year with the likes of Cheltenham Festival winner Alfie Sherrin, Cross Appeal and Four Commanders all holding good chances. “We are watering today and putting on 8mm. The ground is lovely, safe National Hunt ground. We will continue to monitor the situation as the sun is out today but it is still quite cold. “We are set to get a bit of rain on Sunday night, and the forecast has improved a bit for Monday. Ticket sales have been good and we are looking forward to three very good days racing,” added Roe. The Powers Gold Cup, featuring the exciting Flemenstar, is the highlight on Sunday (first race 1.55pm) which is billed as a family fun day with a fun fair and plenty of activities for children. There is also an Easter Bonnet competition as well as live music by traditional group The Kilkenny’s. Monday’s Ladbrokes Irish Grand National meeting – eight-race card starting at 2.40pm – is boosted by the Carton House most stylish lady competition, which will be judged by RTE’s Brendan Courtney and former Miss World Rosanna Davison. There will also be live music on stage from Na Fianna. The €75,000 Dan Moore Memorial Handicap Chase is the feature on Tuesday when the action gets underway at the later time of 4pm.
