Irish Runners To Keep On Side This Weekend

Ballyadam is a hugely exciting youngster for Gordon Elliott being bought by Cheveley Park Stud after winning a three mile point to point by four lengths.

He was seen twice last term, first time finishing third in a decent bumper at Navan before getting off the mark at the second time of asking, winning at Downpatrick by 18 lengths.

It was a breathtaking performance and he used that on his hurdles debut to get off the mark in fine style in a Maiden Hurdle at Down Royal, winning by 12 lengths.

The scope he takes forward to improve over hurdles this year makes him a very exciting runner and one to follow if taking out this Grade One, which is a big step up from anything he has taken on before.

Leading jumps star Envoi Allen will have his first chance in Grade One company over fences at Fairyhouse on Sunday when he steps up to the Drinmore Novices' Chase.

Envoi Allen has been one of the leading jumps horses in the sport over the last two years and now stepping up to go over fences this term, everyone just wants to know how good he can truly be.

The Cheveley Park owned stud is a dual Cheltenham festival winner having taken the Champion Bumper and Ballymore Novices hurdle in consecutive years.

The six year old has gone from strength to strength under Elliott landing all 10 of his races to date, winning one point to point, four bumpers, four hurdle contests and also extended his winning run on his debut over fences at Down Royal.

Stepping over the bigger obstacles this season, he was very impressive at Down Royal, jumping his fences superbly and showing his classy travelling ability as he has throughout his career.

Henry De Bromhead's hurdling star Honeysuckle is looking to start her campaign off at the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse later this month with the mare looking to defend her crown after bolting up in the Grade One event last term.

Honeysuckle has a been a star for the yard over the last two years and on all four of her starts last term had been pretty much faultless by winning twice at Fairyhouse including in the Grade One Hatton's Grace Hurdle.

She then narrowly stayed on to take the Irish Champion Hurdle before landing her first Cheltenham festival winner when seeing off Benie Des Dieux in the Mares Hurdle.

Overall the Kenneth Alexander-owned six-year-old has claimed nine wins in a row, if including her point to point race aswell and this event looks more than winnable for the star mare.