Hatton's Grace Hurdle Tips

I don't like backing odds-on chances, but I cannot help feeling that backing Asian Maze in the Ballymore Properties Hatton's Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse on Sunday is a bit like buying money. Get on at 4/5 with bet365 is my advice. The mare's trainer, Thomas Mullins, initially felt that this race may come too quickly for her after staying on well to finish just over a length second to Iktitaf in the two-mile Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown last month. However, the seven-year-old is bucking and kicking at home and, back over her favoured trip of two and a half miles, she should prove far too good for Champion Hurdler Brave Inca, who was seven lengths behind the selection when third in the Morgiana. Colm Murphy's stable star will be better for that outing and ought to fare much better this time. But he has been readily held by Solerina in the last two runnings of this contest and, while he stays the trip, there can be little doubt that he is better over the minimum trip. Ruby Walsh, fresh from his armchair victory aboard the exciting Kauto Star at Sandown on Saturday, is likely to cut out his own running aboard Asian Maze, a tactic which was applied with such devastating effect when the mare slammed Hardy Eustace at Aintree in the spring. Asian Maze is a slick hurdler, acts on virtually any ground and although she likes to bowl along in front she also possesses a good turn of foot. This race is tailor made for her, and she won't be beaten. Al Eile ran well on the flat but proved a major disappointment when a beaten odds-on favourite behind Rosaker at Navan last month. He also ran poorly behind Asian Maze at Aintree in April and, all things considered, it's hard to see him winning this. Rosaker, however, is progressing well and hasn't been overly extended to beat Emotional Moment the last twice, including in the aforementioned race at Navan, the Grade 2 Lismullen Hurdle. He will probably sit quite close to Asian Maze as, like the selection, he is proven at trips of up to three miles, so Paul Carberry will probably try and ensure that there's a generous pace on offer. But whatever tactics he employs, it's hard to see Rosaker improving enough to trouble the top-class Asian Maze, who is a notch higher than Noel Meade's charge. Verdict - 10pts Asian Maze @ 4/5 (bet365)