THERE are certain weekends in the calendar where you count your lucky stars to be a lover of National Hunt racing, and this is usually one of them.

It would have been even sweeter if Newcastle’s Fighting Fifth Hurdle card had gotten the green light when unfortunately failing an inspection yesterday afternoon, with Constitution Hill’s comeback now having to wait, but quality is still to the fore through the weekend.

All eyes at Newbury will be on the Coral Gold Cup Handicap Chase (2.50) - better known as the Hennessy - and the Irish flag is flown by Mahler Mission (John McConnell), Stumptown (Gavin Cromwell) and Max Flamingo (Francis Casey) in the main event.

Irish challenge

Cromwell’s charge, who finished second in the Kim Muir at last season’s Cheltenham Festival, is arguably the most intriguing, running off just 10st 2lb under Danny Mullins. It’s worth bearing in mind, though, that Total Recall, who struck here in 2017, is the only Irish-trained winner of this famous handicap since 1980.

If truth be told, however, the most competitive and informative contests are surely run closer to home this weekend. The two-day Bar One Fairyhouse Winter Festival is jam-packed with quality racing and has a history of producing winners at the Cheltenham Festival. Here’s hoping the track passes a 7.30am inspection this morning for today’s card.

Last year there were no fewer than six horses who went on from Fairyhouse to strike at Cheltenham in March, including Supreme Novices’ Hurdle star Marine Nationale, who won a stellar renewal of the Bar One Racing Royal Bond Novice Hurdle. Each of the first four home - completed by Irish Point, Ashroe Diamond and Champ Kiely - went on to plunder Grade 1s before the season was out, while Hercule Du Seuil (pulled up) has been prolific since in winning six of his next seven starts.

Grade 1 depth

Honeysuckle was beaten for the first time in her career in last year’s Hatton’s Grace but spectacularly made amends in the Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham. Sire Du Berlais, who finished down the field behind her, went on to win the Stayers’ and Liverpool Hurdles the following spring. Proven top-level talents Teahupoo and Klassical Dream finished one-two, and another 2023 Grade 1 winner, Echoes In Rain, was a faller

The 2022 Drinmore form worked out a treat too. Ill-fated winner Mighty Potter bolted up at the Dublin Racing Festival next, runner-up Gaillard Du Mesnil scooped the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham and third-placed Banbridge later claimed Grade 1 honours at Aintree.

Juvenile clues

The Grade 3 juvenile hurdle proved a key formline for the division, with Triumph Hurdle star Lossiemouth leading home this summer’s Galway Hurdle winner Zarak The Brave, Comfort Zone (dual Grade 2 scorer at Chepstow and Cheltenham) and Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle third Risk Belle in fifth.

As for the undercard races, Facile Vega bolted up in a maiden hurdle, Irish Grand National hero I Am Maximus finished second in a beginners’ chase, Grand Annual winner Maskada fell in the mares’ handicap chase, An Epic Song (narrow second in the Coral Cup) finished mid-field in the Grade A handicap hurdle and Nick Rockett (Grade 2 novice hurdle winner) was fourth on his bumper debut.

A keen eye will be required on all the action again this weekend if last year is anything to go by. How many future Cheltenham Festival winners might we see this time in Co Meath?