Race 1) King Of The Refs. (Treble) Fancied by BJG on another thread. Good enough for me. Andrew Leigh got first run on Ruby LTO at Leopardstown when he went down by a diminishing 1.5L to False Evidence.
Race 2) Fennis Boy. (Nap) A 3 week break will have done this gelding a power of good. Runner up twice recently. Last time to Burrow Vic at Clonmel having had a hard race 10 days earlier.
Race 3) Farringdon.A most consistent hurdler, last time beaten only 2 lengths behind Dancing Tornado. Must go close as he has been left on the 130 mark.
Race 4) Cass Bligh. (NB) This gelding destroyed the field here a fortnight ago over the same trip. Most progressive he can go in again.
Race 5) Andlau. Pauric Roche told connections that there was a bumper to be won this most consistent gelding after it had run a good 3rd to A Fine Young Man at Naas a fortnight ago.
Race 6) P'Tit Fute. A weak Beginners Chase. This gelding has a chance on his 3rd to Lurgan at Thurles 3 weeks ago.
Race 7) No Selection. My attention will be turned to Ireland's bid to win the triple crown. Norn and BJG might have some idea.
2.20 King of the Refs - Nap - was given a shocker lto imo by Ruby, was given a lot to do and did well to get as close as he did- seeability in 3rd that day won nto so the form looks ok and this is a poor race
2.50 Playboy luke - nb - 2nd behind Hellyhunter lto in a race thats worked out well, Hellyhunter won a decent enough novice last weekend, our Gar 7l behind in 3rd p!ssed up by 9l last weekend too in a maiden hurdle - should be tough to beat here
3.55 Cass Bligh - a CD winner, won very easily lto beating Better Times, was a close up 3rd behind Dr Whizz the time b4 that- can continue his progress here
4.30 - Steeltown treble- this one went down in my notebook as one to back nto after his debut run- stayed on eyecatchingly from the back into 5th behind Frawley without getting a hard time - big e/w chance imo
5.40 - Artic Island e/w a small punt for me here to bounce back to winning form back on better ground
2.20 King of the Refs - Nap - was given a shocker lto imo by Ruby, was given a lot to do and did well to get as close as he did- seeability in 3rd that day won nto so the form looks ok and this is a poor race2.50 Playboy luke - nb - 2nd behind Hellyh
Heavy overnight rain has caused the ground to change at Gowran Park this afternoon and for tomorrow's two meetings, the opening day of the new Flat Season at the Curragh and the National Hunt card at Cork.
15mm of rain fell at Gowran Park and the ground is now described as soft on the hurdles track and heavy on the chase track.
The ground at the Curragh is now yielding to soft following 7.2mm of rain on Friday night.
The Cork going is described as soft to heavy after 12mm of rainfall.
Heavy overnight rain has caused the ground to change at Gowran Park this afternoon and for tomorrow's two meetings, the opening day of the new Flat Season at the Curragh and the National Hunt card at Cork.15mm of rain fell at Gowran Park and the grou
P tit Fute isnt the biggest so jumping out of this horrible tacky ground with big weights is never going to suit. That said they appear to have gone down the handicapping route. Will see an improved performer on nicer ground with less weight.
P tit Fute isnt the biggest so jumping out of this horrible tacky ground with big weights is never going to suit. That said they appear to have gone down the handicapping route. Will see an improved performer on nicer ground with less weight.
The Stewards enquired into the running and riding of Fearless Warrior, ridden by Conor O'Farrell and trained by Mr John Joseph Hanlon. Evidence was heard from the trainer and rider concerned.
Conor O'Farrell rider, stated that as a result of his mount making the running and racing very freely three days ago at Down Royal he was instructed today to employ different tactics and drop his mount out early on, switch him off and creep into the race. He rode as instructed but was disappointed with the run as he ran too freely before eventually letting his mount creep into the race but felt there was nothing left from the third last flight and only passed tired horses and stayed on one paced in the closing stages. He added that he was unaware of the position of the principal contenders in the race and concentrated on riding to instructions which he felt if he was left to his own discretion that he would have ridden closer to the pace.
Mr Hanlon, trainer, confirmed the instructions and added that in his opinion his charge is a two and a half mile stayer. He accepted that his rider rode to instructions but made a point that in giving these specific instructions he thought that the runners would have been more bunched together. He was satisfied with the ride but felt as the race unfolded that his rider could have ridden a little closer but overall he did not think that the rider did anything wrong.
The Stewards also received a report from the Turf Club Veterinary Officer who stated that Fearless Warrior was post race normal.
Having viewed the video of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that Mr Hanlon was in breach of Rule 212 by using the racecourse as a training ground and fined him 2000. Furthermore they suspended his charge Fearless Warrior for 42 days. They were also of the opinion that Conor OFarrell was in breach of Rule 212 by making insufficient effort and suspended him for 7 racedays and ordered that he forfeit his riding fee.
The Stewards enquired into the running and riding of Fearless Warrior, ridden by Conor O'Farrell and trained by Mr John Joseph Hanlon.Evidence was heard from the trainer and rider concerned.Conor O'Farrell rider, stated that as a result of his mount