The Noel Meade retainer obviously isn't the position it once was as his string has been decimated over the last few years and he struggles to even contest with WPM.
He tends to have them ready to go early and target the early part of the season as WPM will be aiming to particularly peak his stars for later in the year.
So who is going to get the chunk of the rides? Ger Fox or Denis O'Regan? He was based with Noel Meade in around 2004-2005 and rode a few for Meade within last 12 months.
His link up with Tony Martin is probably more enticing to him and seems to becoming more frequent (initially the John Breslin owned ones).
DOR has a certain amount of swagger (most would say arrogance) but is capable of giving peaches particularly on strong travelling types.
He can be petulant as evinced by his cut at Ferguson on RTE at Galway and is certainly not universally liked by his colleagues
However surely O'Regan hasn't much to stay based in the UK with his main supporters being the likes of Dartnall, Webber and Cantillon. He rode for Harrington yesterday as well and Robbie Power is now also injured,surely a lot more opportunities for him in Ireland currently.
Martin referred to him at Galway as one of the top 5 riding I think, so that surely must have given him cause to think he would spend time here this winter even before Carberry was injured.
Ger Fox is good but O'Regan is obviously further down the track, if o'regan doesn't establish himself in Ireland now he probably never will get a better chance.
he is probably better on better horses rather than trying to 'ride a race' on UK dirge looking to get poor horses to do what they are incapable of.
This alliance probably makes too much sense to happen!
Always get the sense when he is interviewed that he in particular feels like he should have had a better career than he has had. He's probably right.
Martin referred to him at Galway as one of the top 5 riding I think, so that surely must have given him cause to think he would spend time here this winter even before Carberry was injured.Ger Fox is good but O'Regan is obviously further down the tra
O' Regan looks the obvious call for Meade. Most of his good horses are Giggy owned but O' Regan probably in line for Apache Stronghold in the Durkan. Snow Falcon in novice chases too.
Wildman I'd strongly disagree with you on the Lartigue. Pretty difficult to get the better of a horse that's twenty pounds well in and has more Flat speed.
O' Regan looks the obvious call for Meade. Most of his good horses are Giggy owned but O' Regan probably in line for Apache Stronghold in the Durkan. Snow Falcon in novice chases too.Wildman I'd strongly disagree with you on the Lartigue. Pretty diff