The annual beach fixture at Laytown is one of the great traditions of Irish racing, and with recent attendances suggesting it retains most if not all of its charm, another good crowd looks on the cards at the 2010 edition.
As usual it’s a six race card getting under way at 5.00 and the opening 6f handicap contains one of the many previous winners in action during proceedings in the shape of Richelieu. James Lambe’s charge has been successful on both previous visits to the strand and although he hasn’t been shaping particularly well on turf of late it would be no surprise to see a revival in fortunes off what is potentially a very lenient mark.
Several prolific winners clash in what has the makings of a hot claimer at 6.00, and Ger Lyons’ pair Romeo’s On Fire and Cosmic Breeze are two of the better treated at the weights. Grand Opera notched up the first of his seven wins for Gordon Elliott here a couple of years ago and despite the unfavourable terms can be expected to give another good account.
The Hamptons sprang a mild surprise when on the mark at the 2009 meeting and having returned to winning ways at Bellewstown recently looks sure to go well in the 6f handicap at 7.00, with the potentially well-treated Teachers Choice one to watch against him, while Dahindar bids to maintain Eddie Lynam’s recent stranglehold on the concluding 7f amateurs event.
Category: Horse racing
Fifteen millimetres of rain overnight and more this morning has resulted in the ground easing to soft from an overnight description of good at Roscommon, scene of this evening’s Irish action, and it is no great surprise to see plenty of early withdrawals on the seven-race mixed card.
Recent Hamilton scorer Belle Noverre and Sugar Baby Love are a couple of significant absentees from the featured flat event, the 1m2f Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Handicap at 5.35, and perhaps Joanna Morgan’s Gypsie Queen can make up for lost time here. The Xaar filly hasn’t been seen since finishing third to big improver Shareen at Leopardstown in June, and while that absence is a worry it is encouraging as far as her chance today is concerned that she managed to win a maiden on soft ground at Naas last August.
John Oxx has had a rather quiet season by his own high standards but perhaps Askeria, a half-sister to former stable star Azamour, can end a frustrating spell for the Currabeg handler in the 1m4f fillies maiden. The daughter of Sadlers Wells failed to build on a promising debut effort when well fancied to open her account on the final day of the Galway Festival, but gave the impression she didn’t really handle the track very effectively and is probably worth another chance.
Rekaab is another horse who gave the impression he deserved to be rated a bit better than the bare form when a close fourth to subsequent easy Bellewstown winner Dream Champion at Ballinrobe last time, staying on well after being forced to race very wide for the majority of the race, and the 2m4f handicap hurdle looks to provide a good opportunity for him to end a losing sequence stretching back more than three years. Friday’s effortless Kilbeggan scorer Coolavanny Gaffer looks easily his greatest threat.
Category: Horse racing
All roads lead to Leopardstown on Saturday for one of the great days in the Irish racing calendar, with the €750,000 Tattersalls Millions Irish Champion Stakes the highlight on a glittering card.
Just six runners have been declared for the 1m2f Group 1 feature, but with the likes of Juddmonte International first and second, Rip Van Winkle and Twice Over, and Irish Derby hero Cape Blanco in the field what it lacks in quantity it more than makes up for in quality. It promises to be a fascinating spectacle and perhaps it will be the York form that once again comes to the fore, with ‘Rip’ taken to once again get the better of Henry Cecil’s fine servant. Last year’s Dewhurst Stakes hero Beethoven enjoyed a confidence boosting success at Group 3 level here recently, and with the step up to 1m2f likely to suit may spring a surprise by proving best of the remainder.
The Group 1 Coolmore Fusaichi Pegasus Matron Stakes is a worthy chief supporting event, with old rivals Music Show and Lillie Langtry likely to dispute favouritism. The latter had the better of the argument in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot, but Mick Channon’s filly reversed the form in no uncertain terms when hacking up in the Falmouth Stakes before understandably finding Goldikova too hot to handle last time. With heavy morning rain easing the ground Falmouth runner-up Spacious also comes firmly into the argument.
Several interesting and unexposed types lock horns in the Group 3 Kilternan Stakes, with recent Cork scorer Await The Dawn and Dermot Weld’s French import Cashelgar two of the likelier types. Noll Wallop has his first start since disappointing in the Irish 2000 Guineas, but previously looked set for a good season when landing a trial for that race at today’s venue.
There are some competitive handicaps down for decision throughout the day, with Galway winner Toufan Express and recent Tipperary scorer Priomhbhean making plenty of appeal in the 7f premier handicap and concluding 1m1f event respectively.
Category: Horse racing
Ahead of tomorrow’s glittering programme at Leopardstown it’s more bread and butter fare at Kilbeggan this evening, but there are still seven winners to be found and following stables in form could be the way forward.
Eoin Doyle is one man who certain falls into that category and Without The Bop looks to hold a terrific chance in the 2m3f handicap hurdle, the gelding reverting to the smaller obstacles off a much lower mark than the one he holds over fences. He won at Tramore before running creditably in defeat later in the week at that festival and may just have the edge over Hesaposer, who has once again been well backed.
The latter’s trainer Gordon Elliott saddles recent Downpatrick scorer Boragh Princess in a very tightly-knit mares hurdle at 5.05, with joint top-weights Isabellareine – who has been in good form on the level – and Benefit Of Porter best treated by the race conditions.
Hot Oscar has been running well in defeat of late and makes plenty of appeal against likely short-priced favourite Serve Time in the 2m4f beginners chase, with the jury still out in relation to how much ability the latter actually retains, while the defection of likely favourite Etcetera Etcetera may have opened the door for the consistent Oscar Glory in the 3m1f handicap chase.
Category: Horse racing
Irish racing resumes following a two-day hiatus with a mixed card at Clonmel which features several horses seeking further gains after enjoying success of late.
Blackwitch Woman has certainly played her part in her trainer Tom Hogan’s revival in fortunes in recent months, and although her winning run came to an end at Wexford last week, the daughter of Galileo is likely to find life a bit easier now that she is dropped into claiming company for the second event of the evening. The bulk of her rivals have become rather disappointing, the obvious exception being Maal, who has been performing with credit in similar events throughout the summer.
Waydownsouth proved a revelation on his handicap debut at Killarney last month, sweeping through from the back of the field to score going away to give the impression he will have no problem with the extra distance of the 1m2f 47-65 handicap. Pat Flynn’s gelding has an 11lb higher mark to deal with now but should still make a bold bid to follow up, with the unexposed Kasserine possibly his most interesting opponent.
Phantasy Rock has rewarded connections’ perseverance by landing her last two starts, the most recent at the aforementioned Wexford meeting, and is likely to start favourite as she attempts to bring up the hat-trick in the 1m2f handicap. This could well prove to be the Rock Of Gibraltar filly’s ideal trip, but the likes of Speechmaker and course and distance winner Elusive Ridge can be expected to provide stern resistance.
Whatever her fate, Willie Mullins may well be on the mark in the concluding bumper with Anderson Mcauley, who has admittedly been rather frustrating of late but appears to have only the topically-named Presenting Nama to beat.
Category: Horse racing
It’s a busy start to another week of Irish racing, with Galway’s three-day meeting coming to a close with a late afternoon flat card, but before that there’s a bank holiday jumps fixture at Downpatrick for punters to get their teeth into.
Ruby Walsh has been in typically brilliant form since returning from a lengthy injury layoff and has two good chances at the County Down venue, the first of them another potential winner for his main ally of late Tony Martin. The horse in question is Golan Guy, who on the face of things has no chance in the opening maiden hurdle after finishing last at Down Royal on Friday, but is easily forgiven that disappointment as he sustained a nasty overreach. His previous effort behind Universal Truth at Galway has been handsomely boosted since and a reproduction would probably suffice.
The champion jockey takes the reins aboard Hail Caesar – his first ride back at Roscommon earlier this month – in the novice hurdle at 3.40 and will be hoping for better fortune after the partnership could manage only third on that occasion. Imperial Shabra has been kept busy by Oliver Brady of late but is holding his form well and looks the chief threat after his second at Galway on Saturday.
Rajik, who made the breakthrough at Listed level in the Ballycullen Stakes at the Curragh nine days ago, had previously landed a valuable handicap at the festival at Ballybrit but life will be much tougher for him under his penalty in the featured Ardilaun Hotel Oyster Stakes. Dermot Weld’s runners here must always be feared and his Address Unknown could be worth another chance after disappointing at the Curragh when last seen nearly two months ago, while Leo Gali ran well at Roscommon and hails from a stable in good form.
Thursday’s controversial Tipperary dead-heater Beauthea seeks a quick follow-up in the extended 1m handicap at 5.30 and having already proved her effectiveness at the track should go well, while another recent scorer to make plenty of appeal is Lily’s Star, who is officially 3lb well in for the opening 50-85 handicap after striking at Bellewstown on Wednesday.
Kerry National hero Northern Alliance warms up for another tilt at next month’s Listowel highlight in the 1m4f apprentice handicap, and while he is unlikely to be knocked about the booking of Adrian Heskin suggests he could be competitive.
Category: Horse racing
A mouth-watering renewal of the Moyglare Stud Stakes takes star billing on a terrrific seven-race card at the Curragh, while the three-day meeting at Galway continues with another jumps programme.
Richard Hannon and stable jockey Richard Hughes suffered a rare setback when Strong Suit was turned over in the Phoenix Stakes earlier this month but the top partnership have a great chance to gain compensation in the day’s Group 1 feature with the exciting Memory. The unbeaten daughter of Danehill Dancer produced a terrific turn of foot to take the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot and if anything was even more impressive in the Cherry Hinton Stakes at Newmarket last time. She shapes as though she will stay the extra furlong today and is expected to see off a strong home challenge headed by Debutante Stakes winner Laughing Lashes.
A trio of Group 3 events make for some terrific supporting action and Lush Lashes is the star name on show in the Dance Design Stakes, Jim Bolger’s mare making an unexpected return to the racecourse after failing to get in foal. You’ll Be Mine and Enchanted Evening are among her more interesting rivals.
There is a typically powerful overseas challenge for the Flying Five Stakes – eleven of the sixteen runners are British-trained – while Group 1-placed Glor Na Mara and the Hannon-trained Big Issue clash in a fascinating Round Tower Stakes.
Ruby Walsh and Tony Martin continued their blistering run of success when Another Ambition bounced back to something like his best at Galway yesterday and will be hopeful of further gains today, with Dream Champion their best hope as he bids for a quick-fire hat-trick in the 2m4f handicap hurdle.
Category: Horse racing
It’s the first day of Galway’s recently revamped late autumn fixture, and somewhat surprisingly for this time of year the jumping fraternity have the stage to themselves with a seven race card kicking off at the rather unusual time of 2.55.
In terms of quality the opening 2m1f novice chase is probably the pick of the action, with Festival winners Beau Michael and Kilmurry set to clash. The first-named had to call on all his reserves to land a similar contest on the Thursday and having scored over hurdles at Ballinrobe in the interim comes here in great heart. However Kilmurry looked a horse of serious potential when destroying the opposition in a beginners event on the final day and can take advantage of the weight concession.
John Kiely provided Ruby Walsh with his first winner since returning from injury when Glantara scored at Killarney and the canny Waterford handler teams up with the champion jockey a couple of times during the afternoon. Liss Na Tintri has the more obvious chance in the 2m4f maiden hurdle after bumping into a rejuvenated Ainama at Cork last time, but Ella Watson is a very interesting candidate for the 2m2f handicap hurdle on her first start since being bought out of Charlie Swan’s yard. She hinted on several occasions that she could be capable of winning off today’s sort of mark.
Clonard Lad is probably Walsh’s best chance during proceedings, the son of Presenting sure to improve from his run at today’s venue last time in the 2m2f maiden hurdle, though Riverstown could put it up to him if back in the sort of form that saw him finish an eye-catching third behind subsequent scorer Abbey Lane at Gowran Park.
Category: Horse racing
Once again fans of both codes are well catered for on Friday, with action on the level at Wexford (before a bumper to finish) and a jumps card at Down Royal on ground that will once again almost certainly be on the quick side following the recent dry spell.
Willie Mullins has enjoyed plenty of success at the south-eastern venue over the years and it will be something of a surprise if the champion National Hunt trainer leaves empty-handed. Phantasy Rock, who finally came good when scoring at Killarney last week, seeks a quick follow-up in the extended 1m3f apprentice handicap under the promising Eddie Linehan and if coping with the step up in trip should be hard to beat. An even better chance for the yard awaits in the finale where Apt Manor, who went so close at the Galway Festival before going one better at Tramore, looks the most likely winner.
Behtarini has become a very frustrating type indeed and plenty of his erstwhile followers will be happy to oppose the John Oxx-trained gelding in the 1m3f maiden, with Alburj the most obvious alternative for in-form Dermot Weld. Quest For Gold is another who could get involved here.
The 2m handicap could be dominated by two horses who have shown good form over hurdles since they last competed in this sphere, with unlucky Galway runner-up King Of Redfield possibly just having an edge over Down The Dale. Both can race off the basement mark of 47.
Dermot McLoughlin, who enjoyed the perfect start to his training career under rules when Ocean Bright scored at Roscommon recently, could maintain his 100% record in the opener up north provided his representative Solar Graphite is fit enough to do himself justice on his return from a lenghty break. The son of Rock Of Gibraltar was a useful sort on the level for John Dunlop and has already shown enough in his two starts over timber to suggest he has a race such as this in him.
Baracas made up for previous disappointments when landing a maiden hurdle on the penultimate day at Galway and now that the penny seems to have dropped could go in again under the excellent Eddie O’Connell in the 2m novice event. His trainer Eoin Griffin also has a good chance in the beginners chase with Norther Bay, though Warne is open to considerable improvement over the larger obstacles.
Category: Horse racing
A good quality flat card at Tipperary sits alongside the second day of Bellewstown’s final fixture of 2010, and although the ground is soft at most tracks in Britain, a relatively dry spell at home means conditions are likely to be on the quick side at both venues; indeed watering has taken place overnight at each – 10mm at Tipperary and 6mm at Bellewstown.
The Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fairy Bridge Stakes at the ‘junction’ is the most valuable event of the day and on her placed efforts in the 1000 Guineas and Coronation Stakes Gile Na Greine is the clear form pick. Jim Bolger’s filly hasn’t been seen since finishing down the field in the Falmouth Stakes just over six weeks ago, but she returns at a time the yard is going through a good spell and a reproduction of anything close to her best should suffice. Fourpenny Lane has been running well in good company of late, most recently third to Steinbeck in the Ruby Stakes at Killarney, and may be next best.
Bolger and stable jockey Kevin Manning also appear to have a good chance of capturing the 1m1f handicap with Priomhbhean. The daughter of Galileo has had just two starts to date, both at Leopardstown, landing a maiden on her debut before a solid fourth in a well-contested handicap last time. She has been left on the same mark for this assignment and the extra furlong seems likely to suit.
Just four go to post in the concluding 1m4f conditions race but a fascinating affair could still be on the cards. The betting should give a good guide as to what is expected of Flying Cross on his belated return to action after capturing a maiden at Navan last weekend, but either way the progressive Bob Le Beau is sure to be hard to beat.
Tony Martin and Ruby Walsh could be the team to follow on the ‘hill’, with Pires in particular looking to hold outstanding claims for the pair in the 2m1f hurdle at 4.25 following a good effort on the flat at Haydock recently. Dream Champion meanwhile will be well fancied to reverse Roscommon form with Ahorsecalledmolly in the 3m handicap hurdle.
Style Of Campile was a highly creditable third in a valuable bumper at the Grand National meeting at Aintree when last seen and is a noteworthy recruit to jumping in the opening maiden hurdle. Her ability may well carry her through, but the likes of The Grey Express, Kaitlins Joy and Takeyourcapoff all have what could be crucial previous experience over flights.
Category: Horse racing
