Can anything follow in the footsteps of Monkfish in Fairyhouse's early opener?

Saturday: Fairyhouse

There have been umpteen Cheltenham clues delivered before noon on this very Saturday over the last decade as the opening Jim Ryan Racecourse Services Beginners Chase at Fairyhouse, due off at 11.30, has been won by Monkfish (202), The Storyteller (2017) and Sir Des Champs (2011) among others.

This time around there might not be the same sort of household names in action but it could be an informative affair nonetheless and the 136-rated hurdler Torygraph is one of three runners for Gordon Elliott.

Elliott said of his three representatives: "Torygraph has been schooling well over fences and we think he'll make up into a nice staying novice. He ran well at Punchestown and jumped well. That was over just shy of two and a half miles and he'll stay further.

"Floueur ran well in the Martin Pipe for Joseph O'Brien but he's back with us now. His jumping let him down over fences but Enda Bolger has done a lot of work with him and he seems to be in good form again, so we're looking forward to going back chasing. The further Quantum Realm does, the better he'll be."

Dewcup was ahead of Torygraph when the pair met behind French Dynamite at Punchestown and he was a 133-rated hurdler so deserves plenty of respect for Ted and Mark Walsh.

The most valuable purse of the day is the EasyFix Equine Handicap Chase (12.30), worth €40,000 in prize-money, and a race Elliott has won twice in the last three years with Duca De Thaix (2018) and Avenir D'Une Vie (2019). This time around he is triple-handed with Buddy Rich, Vado Forte and One Down.

Buddy Rich beat Ballyadam at Navan in a beginners' chase last time and fans of big Arkle hope Third Time Lucki will know that he was second to him at Cheltenham in October, beaten eight and a half lengths.

Elliott said: "Buddy Rich is a nice, progressive horse who won nicely at Navan. He's getting better with every run and hopefully that continues here. One Down and Vado Forte would both have chances on the best of their form too."

The two divisions of the 2m maiden hurdle should prove to be very informative indeed as Adamantly Chosen, who beat the now Jonjo O'Neill-trained Springwell Bay in a Punchestown bumper, makes his jumping debut against Elliott's highly regarded Gringo D'Aubrelle.

In the second division, the three-time bumper winner Grangee is sure to be a warm order for Willie Mullins and Bryan Cooper.

Read more previews:

1.15 Newbury: Killer Clown could have the last laugh for Emma Lavelle against McManus trio

2.05 Newcastle: Sandy Thomson looks to stable star as he seeks Rehearsal Chase repeat

2.25 Newbury: 'There'll be no excuses' – Jonjo O'Neill on hot favourite Soaring Glory

3.00 Newbury: trainers and jockeys on their Ladbrokes Trophy contenders at Newbury

3.15 Newcastle: will Epatante be ready for take-off again? Graeme Rodway on the Fighting Fifth

3.35 Newbury: who has the touch of class required? Analysis and key quotes for two-mile chase

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