The return to the fray of the mighty Frankel is the main focus of the racing world this afternoon, and while there will nothing remotely of the same calibre on show at the Irish fixture at Wexford many of the country’s top jockeys will be in action.

Pat Smullen and Wayne Lordan both moved onto the 20 mark for the season with a winner apiece at Dundalk last night and the pair once again have some good mounts to look forward to today, not least in the 1m6f handicap at 4.25. Lordan’s mount Ionisphere should certainly be in the thick of the action once again despite being raised 6lb for his recent victory over an extended 2m at Clonmel but Star Of Aragon is potentially very well-treated as he reverts to the level after a rewarding spell over hurdles, and the fact that trainer James Nash has gone to the trouble of booking former champion Smullen suggests he should be fit enough to do himself justice on his first outing since December.

Dermot Weld’s Voleuse De Coeurs could be another for Smullen in the 1m3f rated race at 3.15, the daughter of Teofilo making plenty of appeal despite official figures suggesting she has something to find with a few of her rivals. She indicated a good level of ability in a couple of outings as a juvenile last autumn and showed that she had trained on when runner-up to Ursa Major over the extended 1m2f trip at Dundalk on her seasonal bow last month. Today’s longer trip could suit even better.

With South South West a notable absentee, the 1m3f handicap at 3.50 takes on an even more open look and Smullen will be hopeful of adding to his tally aboard the unexposed Porterman. Trained by long-time ally Joanna Morgan, the gelded son of Barathea shaped with a deal of promise on his handicap bow at Leopardstown in March and is surely capable of better than his current rating of 47 suggests.

Willie Mullins and son Patrick are fancied to record a double in the day’s final two events, with Earls Quarter first up in the 2m maiden for qualified riders at 4.55. The son of Shantou was in the process of running a fine race when taking a tumble at the final flight in a valuable novice hurdle at Fairyhouse over Easter and should prove too strong for Blossom Gate if transferring that level of performance to this discipline. Chiltern Hills meanwhile looks the clear form pick in the concluding 2m mares bumper after a promising debut fourth behind stable-companion Glens Melody at the Punchestown Festival.

Selections
2.10 Madeira Girl (3-1, general)
2.40 Sadlers Mark (10-1, sportingbet)
3.15 Voleuse De Coeurs (19-10, sportingbet)
3.50 Porterman (9-1, Boylesports)
4.25 Star Of Aragon (100-30, sportingbet)
4.55 Earls Quarter (5-4, Stan James)
5.30 Chiltern Hills (7-4, Stan James)

Category: Horse racing

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Pat Smullen joined Wayne Lordan at the top of the flat jockeys table when Imperial Concorde made a successful debut at Gowran Park yesterday and both men can continue their fine early season form by getting amongst the winners at tonight’s eight-race fixture at Dundalk.

Lordan possibly has the slightly stronger overall book of rides and is expected to get off to a flyer by capturing the opening 5f maiden for two year-olds aboard Almanack. The Haatef colt made a promising debut at tonight’s venue a fortnight ago, finishing third to Tennessee Wildcat despite being forced to race very wide throughout from his poor draw, and both the winner and runner-up Versilia Gal have gone on to boost the form in the interim. Ballydoyle newcomer Gale Force Ten is easily his most interesting rival on paper but the selection’s experience could prove crucial.

David Wachman has his string in tremendous fettle at the moment and the Tipperary handler supplies Lordan with a couple of good rides in handicaps, in particular Oh Happy Days in the 1m contest for three-year-olds at 7.50. The daughter of Galileo appeared to be the stable’s second string when breaking her duck in a similar event at Gowran Park that contained a clutch of unexposed types, and may have got away lightly with a 6lb hike in a race where Stockton’s Wing is worth keeping a close eye on in the market.

Course specialist Elwazeer could be another for Lordan now that he is back on his favourite surface in the 7f rated race at 7.20 after struggling on the grass at the Curragh last time, but Smullen is expected to strike back in the 1m2f handicap at 8.20. His mount Hawkswood has also demonstrated a real liking for today’s venue and found only one too strong when attempting to complete a hat-trick in a 1m4f event on his last visit. A strong traveller, he gives the impression today’s distance suits him better and from a good draw is likely to be tough to beat off just 1lb higher.

Neither jockey is involved in the concluding 1m4f handicap but this is possibly the most interesting race of the night, featuring as it does a host of form performers at the top of their game just now. Akinspirit, who is unbeaten in two outings for today’s partner Shane Foley, was only narrowly denied by Alhellal here last time and gets the vote to gain compensation at the chief expense of Tribes And Banner and Night Glimmer.

Selections
5.50 Almanack (10-11, Paddy Power, Ladbrokes)
6.20 Feathers And Bows (9-1, Skybet, 10-1 Betfair)
6.50 Alvar (20-1, Boylesports, Paddy Power)
7.20 Elwazeer (4-1, sportingbet)
7.50 Oh Happy Days (4-1, Coral)
8.20 Hawkswood (100-30, Boylesports)
8.50 Hootie (5-1, BetVictor)
9.15 Akinspirit (11-2, Boylesports)

Category: Horse racing

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Dermot Weld and Pat Smullen teamed up to capture last night’s featured Blue Wind Stakes at Naas with Princess Highway and the top team could well be amongst the winners again at this evening’s flat fixture at Gowran Park.

Swerve, the Rosewell House combination’s representative in the 7f handicap at 6.40, is perhaps their best chance on the seven-race card and having won her maiden in testing conditions at last year’s Listowel festival the daughter of Oasis Dream certainly won’t have any problem with today’s advance going of good to soft. At the time it may have seemed slightly disappointing that she could manage no better than third in a similar event on the opening day of the turf season at the Curragh but the winner that day Coolnagree has proved that she was a very well-treated animal on that occasion and it will be a surprise if there is a similar ‘blot’ amongst today’s opposition.

To The Sky looked very unlucky not to win a good hurdle race at Punchestown nine days ago, and provided the hard race he endured there hasn’t left a mark Joanna Morgan’s gelding ought to be very hard to beat as he reverts to the level in the 1m1f handicap at 8.10. Course and distance scorer Legendary Times (who not for the first time spoiled her chance by being slowly away at Dundalk last time) remains quite well-treated but it is doubtful whether she has as much in hand of the assessor as the selection, with today’s step up in distance sure to suit after his third here last month.

Mark Monaghan enjoyed an armchair ride aboard gambled-on winner Man Of Erin last night, and the promising 7lb claimer can add to those laurels by capturing the 7f handicap at 7.40 aboard bottom-weight Moscow Treat. The four year-old showed a welcome return to form at Cork last week on his return for trainer Seamus O’Donnell after a disappointing spell with Michael Halford and should be very hard to beat off the same mark now.

Selections
5.40 Mister Aviation (3-1, general)
6.10 That Boy David (8-11, general)
6.40 Swerve (2-1, bet365, BetVictor, Coral)
7.10 Sure Reef (9-1, totesport, Betfred)
7.40 Moscow Treat (4-1, general)
8.10 To The Sky (4-1, general)
8.40 Solar Heat (7-1, general)

Category: Horse racing

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Tonight’s eight-race flat fixture at Naas has a habit of throwing up some above average juveniles – Maybe for example made her racecourse debut in the opening 6f fillies maiden prior to going on to Group 1 glory – and there could easily be another star waiting to emerge in 2012.

Aidan O’Brien and son Joseph, who have important business at York this afternoon, will be flying back for the domestic action and their representative in the first Delight is sure to command plenty of attention. A 220,000gns yearling purchase, the well-related daughter of Danehill Dancer seems to have a nice draw but there are several very interesting types amongst the opposition – both David Wachman and Jim Bolger are two-handed.

The former’s apparent first string Mironica is a token pick to keep up the stable’s rich vein of form.

Bolger could also thwart his former protege in the winners event for two year-olds which follows, with Dawn Approach fancied to follow up his success in the opening event of the flat turf season.

The first offspring of the trainer’s Derby hero New Approach to make it to the racecourse, he did what appeared to be expected of him when seeing off subsequent scorer Canary Row – who reopposes here – at the Curragh and promises to be better suited by today’s going. Ballydoyle newcomer Parliament Square must be monitored closely in the market however.

Possible classic candidate Was, who was impressive in breaking her duck at the first attempt at the Curragh last term, heads the market for the featured Blue Wind Stakes but with her trainer warning that she will come on significantly for the outing it might be worth chancing John Oxx’s Limerick winner Shebella. The daughter of Dubai Destination is open to plenty of improvement and is sure to appreciate the step up in distance.

Royal Visit is likely to be a warm order to follow up his recent course and distance maiden success in the 6f handicap but it might be worth giving Caprella another chance after her disappointing effort at Dundalk last time. Paul Deegan is enjoying a fine season and there seems little doubt that the Kheleyf filly was well below her best when finishing in rear on that occasion ; she is almost certainly better judged on her previous second to the useful Piri Wango on the polytrack – form which is working out well – and if acting as well on the grass here she ought to be thereabouts.

Selections
5.20 Mironica 7/2
5.50 Dawn Approach 5/4
6.20 Caprella 7/1
6.50 Steely Grace 5/1
7.20 Shebella 7/2
7.50 Mizani 11/4
8.20 Man Of Erin 14/1
8.50 Susiescot 7/2

Category: Horse racing

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The May meeting at Killarney concludes with a really interesting mixed seven-race card that promises to be highly informative, featuring as it does several big names from both codes.

2011 Coral Cup hero Carlito Brigante is the headline amongst the jumpers, Gordon Elliott’s star making his debut over the larger obstacles in the 2m6f beginners chase at 6.30. Last season didn’t really go according to script for the six-year-old as he raced just twice over hurdles and disappointed on both occasions – most recently when attempting to repeat his heroics in the big handicap on the second day at Cheltenham. However one positive upshot of that is that he should still be relatively fresh, and there is nothing in today’s field for him to fear if he can produce anything like his best. Linnel, a rare ride for Ruby Walsh for trainer Arthur Moore, is perhaps the most interesting of them but he has been disappointing overall and may not be suited by the tight track.

Absolutlyfantastic looked a horse with a really bright future when making a winning start to his career in a bumper at the July festival here last year but Henry de Bromhead’s charge rather lost his way after finishing second to the classy Rebel Fitz at Cork in October. He has faced some very stiff tasks during that period though, and it might be worth taking a chance on the return to the scenic Kerry surrounds sparking a revival in his fortunes in the opening 2m1f beginners chase. There are plenty of useful types in opposition here but only Catleen (who can be tricky and ideally needs further) and Caolaneoin make any great appeal as far as today’s test is concerned so it will be disappointing if Absolutlyfantastic, who is sure to have been well schooled, isn’t involved at the business end.

Tommy Stack’s runners at Killarney are always worth a second look, and the Thomastown handler can add to his already fine record by capturing the concluding 1m6f conditions race with Parkers Mill. The High Chaparral gelding faced a very stiff task in the infamous Mooresbridge Stakes won by Windsor Palace at the Curragh last week but will be much more at home at today’s lower level and gives the impression he will stay the longer trip, while Lucciola is taken to continue Paul Deegan’s fine run in the 1m maiden for three year-olds at 7.00

Selections
5.30 Absolutlyfantastic (6-1, Hills, Paddy Power, Boylesports)
6.00 Unconditional (8-1, Betfred, Coral – 41-5, Betfair)
6.30 Carlito Brigante (15/8, BetVictor)
7.00 Lucciola (11-10, BetVictor, Coral – 21-15, Betfair)
7.30 Suehail (5-1, Boylesports)
8.00 Night Singer (10-3, Boylesports, Paddy Power)
8.30 Parkers Mill (8-13, general)

Category: Horse racing

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Killarney’s May meeting moves into its second session with an all jumps evening fixture, and following a dry night officials have opted to water all tracks to maintain good ground.

The fare is generally pretty competitive, not least in the valuable 2m6f handicap at 8.50, though the presence in the field of former Grade 1 class performer Tranquil Sea means that six of the 14 runners are ‘wrong’ at the weights.

One who can compete off his correct mark is Your Busy, and James Nash’s very useful nine year-old should make a bold bid for owner Ronan O’Gara provided the rain stays away. Far from disgraced behind subsequent Grand National runner-up Sunnyhillboy in the Kim Muir at the Cheltenham Festival, he went on to chase home the very useful Frisco Depot in a Grade 2 novice event at Limerick just a fortnight later and might have got away lightly in being left on the same rating.

Dancing Tornado hasn’t been at his best over fences of late but Michael Hourigan’s fine servant might be worth a final chance to gain an overdue success now that he reverts to the smaller obstacles for the 2m4f conditions event at 6.50. Owner JP McManus has a more obvious contender for the €10,695 first prize in the shape of Catch Me, who was runner-up in the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham, but he has a question mark over him too having never threatened in the Irish National subsequently.
First-time cheekpieces could help rekindle some of the old sparkle for Dancing Tornado, while the likes of The Fonze and Won In The Dark are also capable of figuring if recapturing something like their best form.

Tom Mullins enjoyed notable success at Killarney last year with Alderwood, who scored at all three meetings at the picturesque Kerry track before scaling even greater heights this spring, and the Goresbridge handler should land the concluding lady riders bumper with Elsie. A daughter of that fine mare Notcomplainingbut, who was a prolific earner for the trainer’s father Paddy, she has had the misfortune to bump into the two top bumper horses in the country – Champagne Fever and Don Cossack – on her two outings to date and surely won’t face anything of remotely similar calibre in tonight’s finale.

Selections
5.50 Flaming Pop 2/1
6.20 Giant’s Quest 7/4
6.50 Dancing Tornado 12/1
7.20 Champagne Agent 13/8
7.50 Your Busy 7/1
8.20 No Notions 7/1
8.50 Elsie 1/2

Category: Horse racing

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A very busy afternoon of domestic action lies ahead, with the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial topping the bill at Leopardstown’s flat fixture while the ever-popular three-day May meeting at Killarney kicks off with an interesting jumps card.

The Derrinstown has often proved a great stepping stone to classic glory in recent years but whether the 2012 renewal will have much impact on the market for the blue riband at Epsom is open to question as one of the two principals is not entered while the other is a 33/1 shot.

Wrote heads the market as he bids to improve Aidan O’Brien’s already stunning record, and there is little doubt that the Derby entry is entitled to favouritism on the strength of his victory in the Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf in November. More recently a fine third to stable-companion Daddy Long Legs in the UAE Derby at Meydan on Dubai World Cup night, he does however face stiff opposition from Jim Bolger’s progressive Ballysax Stakes winner Light Heavy and the latter might just be able to emerge on top.

Small fields are very much the order of the day at the Dublin venue, but at least the 1000 Guineas Trial will have a double-figure line-up and Yellow Rosebud is taken to make a successful return to action. A winner of a maiden at today’s venue last summer, the daughter of Jeremy went on to run a fine second to Maybe in the Debutante Stakes at the Curragh before failing to perform to that level in the Prix Marcel Boussac on her final start as a juvenile, and provided lack of race fitness is not a major issue she could be too strong for Patrick Prendergast’s Park Stakes heroine Coral Wave and O’Brien’s improving Soon.

Trainer Dermot Weld should certainly be on the mark in the preceding Amethyst Stakes, in which course specialist Famous Name appears to face a straightforward task in his hat-trick attempt. A somewhat disappointing market leader for the Sandown Mile last month, the veteran has just about everything in his favour and is likely to have the edge over the long-absent Sweet Lightning. The latter was a very useful sort for Michael Dods but has been off the track for a long time and will surely need the outing.

Realt Dubh will be a popular choice for the featured Ladbrokes.com Handicap Hurdle at Killarney as he bids to capitalise on his much lower mark over the smaller obstacles following his excellent second to Sizing Europe in the Champion Chase at Punchestown but Noel Meade’s charge faces several unexposed rivals and is not necessarily the good thing official figures suggest. Preference is for Carlingford Lough, who has been off the track since scoring at last year’s Galway Festival but looked a horse worth following on that occasion and may prove the pick of a strong JP McManus team.

Selections
Leopardstown
2.15 Angela’s Dream 9/4
2.45 Famous Name 2/7
3.15 Yellow Rosebud 5/4
3.45 Light Heavy 15/8
4.15 Sharalam 11/8
4.45 Whipless 9/4
5.15 Allowed 13/8

Killarney
1.55 Shamkhal 3/1
2.25 Dara Tango 6/4
2.55 Hangersonallgone 7/1
3.25 Carlingford Lough 7/1
3.55 Corbally Cross 11/2
4.25 Shot From The Hip 5/1
4.55 Bruff 14/1
5.25 Patanne 1/1

Category: Horse racing

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Dessie Hughes has found Kilbeggan a very happy hunting ground in recent years, the Curragh trainer boasting a 21 per cent strike rate and healthy profit to level stakes since 2007, and Stonemaster can further improve that already impressive record at this evening’s latest fixture at the popular midlands venue.

A very useful hurdler on his day, the Old Vic gelding has so far failed to live up to expectations over the larger obstacles but it is still very much early days and tonight’s 3m1f handicap chase appears to represent his best opportunity to date. Last seen finishing a highly creditable sixth to Son Of Flicka in the Coral Cup at the Cheltenham Festival, his stable is in much better form now than when he was last in action in this sphere and the opposition on this occasion will certainly be the weakest he has faced in some time so it will be disappointing if he fails to go close off an eminently exploitable mark of 117.

The Willie Mullins juggernaut rolled on with another winner in the finale at Downpatrick last night, and the champion trainer is entitled to fancy his prospects of doing even better today. Cadspeed, his representative in the beginners chase, might struggle to contain the very useful Silverhand if the latter takes well to fences under the very much in-form Paul Carberry but Supreme Carolina should be able to capture the 2m3f maiden hurdle if avoiding the sort of jumping error which proved so costly at Cork last month.

Closutton representatives Shakervilz and Sergent Guib’s between them account for half the field in the featured 3m hurdle at 6.55, and while both have been rather disappointing of late the same can be said of their two rivals. Ruby Walsh’s mount is awarded narrow preference in the hope that he can recapture the sort of form that saw him finish third at Punchestown in February, while Andiamos should appreciate the drop in class in the concluding bumper after being thrown in at the deep end in a valuable sales event at Fairyhouse over Easter.

Selections
5.25 White Feathers 5/6
5.55 Supreme Carolina 4/6
6.25 Benefitthewest 8/1
6.55 Sergeant Guib’s 6/4
7.25 Silverhand 5/2
7.55 Stonemaster 7/2
8.25 Andiamos 2/1

Category: Horse racing

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Heavy rain overnight has resulted in testing ground for this evening’s mixed meeting at Clonmel, which features the €14,000 Sepam Tipperary Perpetual Cup.

Pat Flynn has put together a tremendous recent record in the 2m highlight, winning four of the last six renewals, and impressive 2010 scorer Galianna is sure to be well fancied as she bids to get her name on the trophy for the second time. The eight-year-old comes here on the back of a good effort over hurdles at Wexford last month and is back down to a very fair mark on the level but underfoot conditions won’t be ideal and she is therefore reluctantly passed over in favour of Mister Carter. Tommy Stack’s representative warmed up for this assignment with a fair effort at Leopardstown last month, is nicely treated on old form and is perfectly at home in the mud.

Flynn may enjoy better fortune earlier in the evening, with Catch Light an interesting contender now that she is stepped up to a trip more in keeping with her pedigree for the first division of the 2m handicap for 47-65 rated horses at 6.10. The Juddmonte cast-off caught the eye when staying on from well off the pace to finish seventh in a big field over 1m at Naas on her seasonal bow, and with the promising Leigh Roche reducing her burden by 5lb she will have a feather weight on her back.

Classy hurdler Rebel Fitz is likely to take plenty of beating in the opening 2m maiden, which features several horses better known for their exploits over jumps, but perhaps there might be better value in supporting He’llberemembered each-way. Paul Fahey’s flag-bearer shaped well on his only previous outing in this sphere behind subsequent November Handicap winner Hidden Universe in a similar event at Navan last autumn and comes here on the back of a fine third to the unexposed Drive Time in a highly competitive handicap hurdle on the final day of the Punchestown Festival.

Selections
5.40 He’llberemembered 6/1
6.10 Catch Light 11/1
6.40 Enter The Indian 9/4
7.10 Mister Carter 11/2
7.40 Tugboat 5/2
8.10 Brian Who 5/1
8.40 Mr Groocock 11/10

Category: Horse racing

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Willie Mullins enjoyed a mixed evening at Punchestown yesterday, Lambro and Well Read Man both scoring but Call The Police falling with the feature event at his mercy and Lambro being caught on the line, and the champion trainer looks certain to be amongst the winners again as the home of Irish jump racing stages its penultimate fixture before the summer break.

Balnaslow, who was promoted to first place following a stewards’ enquiry into the valuable Racing Post bumper at Fairyhouse on Easter Monday, will now carry the same colours as the disqualified ‘winner’ of that race (Rogue Angel) in the opening 2m maiden hurdle, and while the trip is almost certainly on the short side for the former point-to-pointer, he looks in a completely different league to the oppostion ability-wise and should justify his short-priced favouritism.

Arvika Ligeonniere, who has been off the track since his victory at the 2010 festival here, has always looked the type to do well over the larger obstacles and finally gets the chance to confirm that impression in the beginners event at 6.10. Previously an excellent fourth in the Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdle at Cheltenham, in which he travelled better than most but ultimately didn’t quite get home, he has been found a very weak affair for his return and with Mullins reporting fitness will not be an issue like his stable-mate a clear round ought to suffice.

Closutton stalwart Equus Maximus, a former high-class type under rules who landed a big prize at the 2009 festival, emerged from a spell in the wilderness to open his account between the flags at Ballindenisk recently and is sure to be a popular choice to follow up in the champion hunter chase at 7.50. However preference here is for the much less exposed On The Fringe, who tipped up in a banks race at today’s venue 11 days ago but must have a major chance based on his previous close second to Cheltenham third Oscar Delta in a similarly well-contested event to today’s at Fairyhouse.

Stamina will certainly be at a premium in the 3m6f handicap chase at 6.40, and former champion jockey Paul Townend is an eye-catching booking for joint bottom-weight Give Us A Hand. John Berry’s charge is 6lb ‘wrong’ at the weights but other runners are similarly disadvantaged and this sort of trip could well bring out the best in him.

Selections
5.10 Balnaslow 1/5
5.40 Namarama 10/1
6.10 Arvika Ligeonniere 8/13
6.40 Give Us A Hand 9/1
7.15 Top Four 7/1
7.50 On The Fringe 7/4
8.20 Operating 4/6

Category: Horse racing

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