Sport

Start with Gordon Elliott and finish with Willie Mullins on Fairyhouse card

The superpower trainers look like dominating the New Year’s Day card at the track

Trainer Gordon Elliott has some strong chances early on the card at Fairyhouse on Monday (Niall Carson/PA)

ALLEGORIE De Vassy can give weight away to her rivals in the featured Grade Three John & Chich Fowler Memorial Mares’ Chase at Fairyhouse this afternoon.

The big daughter of No Risk At All bounced back to winning ways on her return at Clonmel in November after a mixed campaign last season.

She started last term with two wide margin wins and ran a cracker when second at Cheltenham before a couple of below-par efforts at Fairyhouse and Punchestown.

The seven-year-old was obviously giving the right vibes ahead of her comeback, going to post a well-backed 8/11 shot, and was a convincing two-and-a-half length winner over consistent stablemate Instit.

That came on heavy ground and her stamina could be the difference now in testing going again.

She may be a bit more at home in these conditions over the two-mile-five trip than Riviere D’etel.

Gordon Elliott’s charge has been runner-up on both her starts this season, including when chasing home Captain Guinness at Navan in November.

That form has taken a couple of knocks since but the 146-rated grey commands plenty of respect getting 8lb off the selection.

Mullins looks like he could have a strong finish to the day.

Nick Rockett has a big shout in the following beginners chase over the same trip.

The Walk In The Park gelding was an impressive winner in Grade 2 company over hurdles in the spring and shaped with plenty of promise when fourth on his chase debut at Fairyhouse early last month.

That looked a strong race and the winner Corbetts Cross did his bit for the form when second in Grade 1 company at Leopardstown last week.

In the bumper Mullins introduces an interesting newcomer for leading owner JP McManus.

Getaway gelding I Am River cost €210,000 as a three-year-old and is out of a winning half-sister to top class performers Rhinestone Cowboy and Wichita Lineman.

Gordon Elliott looks the man to follow early on the card.

Molly Mango is the only winner in the field in the opening mares maiden hurdle and it looks like a nice opportunity for her to get back on track after pulling up at Wexford last time.

She clearly wasn’t right then, reported to have suffered a small wound to her leg and blowing hard post race.

In the following maiden hurdle My Trump Card gets the vote after an impressive bumper win at Navan last time.