The crowds will be packing into Fairyhouse for three great days racing from Sunday until Tuesday, and there are solid grounds for believing the giant Trafford Lad can scale new heights in what has been an excellent introductory season in the chasing ranks by taking the Powers Gold Cup at the County Meath track (Sunday 3.45pm).

Dusty Sheehy’s seven year old Tragic Role gelding was a more than decent hurdler finishing third at the Cheltenham Festival in the ‘Ballymore’, plus third in Punchestown’s Grade 1 Champion Novice Hurdle when sent off favourite.

He made a smooth transition to fences in the Autumn, racking up three wins on the bounce, culminating in a five and a half length course and distance victory against no less than Arkle winner Forpadydeplasterer in the Drinmore. That display marked him down as the leading middle distance novice that side of Christmas.

He then suffered a minor blip when turned over by half a length by out and out stayer Casey Jones (my idea of a decent each way bet for Monday’s Irish National provided the rain stays away) at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting, but that was over 3m, and it seems fair to suggest 2m 4f is his optimum trip at this stage of his career.

Next up Sheehy sent him to Leopardstown for the PJ Moriarty, and although his effort flattened out between the last two fences it shouldn’t be forgotten who he finished third behind: subsequent runaway RSA Chase winner Cooldine, plus old adversary Forpadydeplasterer. A case of the form not so much being franked as force fed into the thoughts of any punter who witnessed the relevant races.

It then came to light that a poor scope and a training hold up owing to a stone bruise might have contributed to what was already a notable piece of form – with a perfect prep which he’s enjoyed this time around on the menu he might well have finished at least second.

Trafford Lad is versatile as regards the like good or yielding surface, and has the excellent Tom Doyle on board. Plenty of observers wondered aloud what on earth he was up to when he decided to quit England and return home a couple of years ago, but a steady flow of winners and associations with an array of the best Irish stables have more than justified the €29.99 Ryanair fare.

The decision not to go to Cheltenham has given his trainer plenty of time to prepare for this, and the presence in the field of some useful rivals notably the unbeaten Joncol and Irish Arkle winer Golden Silver mean he’ll go off a working price.

Lastly, wait and see what the notoriously bad Irish weather has in store before having a bet on the Irish Grand National (Monday 3.55pm).

I reckon Noel Meade has a decent chance of netting some prize money with the nicely weighted Casey Jones as long as it doesn’t turn into a quagmire.

He ran well at Cheltenham when a staying on 5th in the RSA Chase, stays longer than the mother-in-law, and may need this marathon 3m 5f test to be seen to best effect. Have an each way interest at 14/1 with Paddy Power.

Good luck!

Weekend tips:

Trafford Lad (win), Powers Gold Cup, 3.45 Fairyhouse Sunday

Casey Jones (each way) 14/1 (PaddyPower), Powers Whiskey Irish Grand National, 3.55 Fairyhouse Monday

Bet on the Irish Grand National or any Sport this Easter weekend with paddypower and get a £30 Free Bet