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GENERAL SPORT
Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 14 April, 2017
Talking Horses Dundalk treble for Jim Bolger
Upcoming Fixtures Dundalk – Wednesday, 12th April (First Race 6.00) Cork – Saturday, 15th April (First Race 1.40) Cork – Sunday, 16th April (First Race 2.00) Fairyhouse – Sunday, 16th April (First Race 1.45) Cork – Monday, 17th April (First Race 1.50) Fairyhouse – Monday, 17th April (First Race 2.45) Fairyhouse – Tuesday, 18th April (First Race 3.00) Tipperary – Thursday, 20th April (First Race 5.10) Dundalk – Friday, 21st April (First Race 5.55) Kilbeggan – Friday, 21st April (First Race 5.00) Limerick – Saturday, 22nd April (First Race 1.45) Navan – Sunday, 23rd April (First Race 2.15)
Cheltenham Festival Runner-Up Debuchet on top at Limerick HAVING just lost out to fast-finisher Fayonagh in the bumper at the Cheltenham Festival, the Mags Mullinstrained Debuchet ended his season on a high when taking the Listed Kevin McManus Champion Bumper at Limerick on Thursday. Ridden by the trainer’s nephew Patrick Mullins, the 4/5 favourite ran out an impressive five length winner and is likely to run over hurdles when next seen. Listowel native John Mulvihill is based with Charles Byrnes since Christmas and he rode his first winner when partnering the County Limerick trainer’s Hareth, the 3/1 favourite, to success in the opportunity handicap hurdle. Mark Enright is on a good run and he recorded two winners, taking the 2m3f maiden hurdle on 15/8 shot Sizinguptheamazon for Jim Dreaper and the mares’ handicap chase for the Liam Casey-owned and trained 14/1 chance Carole Rose. Backed from 20/1 to 8/1, Turfman’s Daughter won the mares’ maiden hurdle for Noel Meade and Ger Fox while Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy captured the mares’ handicap hurdle with 10/1 shot Pahaska. Phillip Enright enjoyed an easy success when the James Dullea-trained Tikkanen Express made a winning start over fences at odds of 16/1 in the beginners’ chase.
Weld and Smullen combine for Leopardstown double DERMOT Weld and the outstanding Pat Smullen were responsible for two winners at Leopardstown on Wednesday. The champion jockey showed his strength in the saddle as the pair landed the 10f handicap with 14/1 chance Ace Of Diamonds and again when Rose De Pierre, an 11/4 shot, won the Listed Heritage Stakes. The winning margin on each occasion was a head. The easiest winner of the day was Torcedor which made a winning debut for high-flying Jessica Harrington in the concluding 14f conditions’ race. The five-year-old readily beat Twilight Payment and Forgotten Rules to score in the hands of Colm O’Donoghue at odds of 8/1. Ger Lyons and Colin Keane continued their fine early season form when taking the 10f maiden with 6/1 chance Insayshable while the fillies’ maiden over the same trip went to Bengala, trained by John Oxx and ridden by Declan McDonogh, at odds of 14/1. Kells, County Meath trainer Michael Mulvaney and Gary Carroll took the 8f handicap with 16/1 chance Prove The Point while Gary Halpin teamed up with Curragh trainer Patrick Prendergast to take the 7f handicap with 8/1 chance Beechmount Whisper.
Over 500 children attend ‘Go Racing Kids Club’ Education Days at Fairyhouse and Naas AS preparations for the Fairyhouse Easter Festival continue to gather pace, almost 300 school children from the local area arrived at the County Meath track on Wednesday to take part in a Horse Racing Ireland ‘Go Racing Kids’ Club’ Day. Pupils from five schools were given the chance to go behind-the-scenes at the home of the BoyleSports Irish Grand National, in the run-up to Fairyhouse’s flagship threeday festival. And the day before at Naas, 232 local school children participated in the County Kildare track’s ‘Go Racing Kids’ Club’ Day. As part of their day out, the pupils spent time walking the tracks with the respective racecourse managers, Peter Roe and Tom Ryan, who explained how they prepare the track for racing. The objective of the ‘Go Racing Kids’ Club’ is to educate school children about racing and give them an insight into what happens at a racecourse. It also builds relationships between the racecourses and their local community, encouraging an affinity with racing which will hopefully produce future racegoers.
One For Arthur - Derek Fox wins from Cause of Causes - Jamie Codd and Gas Line Boy - Robert Dune at the Aintree Grand National on Saturday last [©cranhamphoto.com]
Aintree Glory for Sligo’s Derek Fox SLIGO-BORN Derek Fox was the hero at Aintree on Saturday where he landed the Randox Health Grand National aboard the Lucinda Russell-trained One For Arthur. The 14/1 shot jumped like a stag to provide Fox with his first winner in the saddle since he fractured his left wrist and right collarbone in a fall at Carlisle just over four weeks ago. “It's unbelievable. I'd just like to thank Jack Berry House for getting me back after the injury a few weeks ago. I kept the wrist out of plaster and I asked the doctor if I'd be able to ride in the National. He smiled at me and said 'well at least
it's a race that you're unlikely to fall off in!' He did say that if I kept it out of plaster and worked hard, then I should have some sort of chance of being fit. If it wasn't for Jack Berry House though, I never would have got back in time.” Fox started his career riding primarily for his uncle, Sligobased trainer Mark McNiff and Noel Kelly, who provided him with an early career highlight aboard Charlie's Vic in the Grade 3 Dawn Run Mares Novice Chase at Limerick in 2013.
JIM Bolger does well with his winter horses at Dundalk and he captured the headlines at the County Louth venue with three winners on Friday night. The veteran trainer teamed up with Kevin Manning to land the 8f maiden with 11/4 chance Safarr and followed up straight away when the Daniel Redmond-ridden Elusive Approach won the 8f handicap at the same odds. The stable’s followers were rewarded at odds of 10/1 when Ringside Humour took the 12f handicap to complete the threetimer under Manning. Trainer Fozzy Stack continues to impress in his first weeks with a licence and he won the 5f maiden with the Killian Hennessy-ridden Sirici at odds of 13/2. Stephen Mahon and Conor Hoban took the handicap over the same distance with 9/4 joint-favourite Oneoveryou. Tom Mullins and Sean Davis combined to win the 2m handicap with 4/1 chance Repare Mon while Sharjah, trained by Andy Slattery and ridden by Declan McDonogh, won the 10f handicap at odds of 8/1.
Wexford double for Barry John Foley BARRY John Foley recorded the first double of his career when partnering two winners over hurdles at Wexford on Friday. He teamed up with Cappoquin, County Waterford trainer Roger McGrath to land the 2m4f maiden hurdle on 3/1 favourite Miss Eyecatcher for the Connery family and followed up in the opening division of the 2m handicap hurdle on 11/1 shot Balinaboola, trained in Windgap, County Kilkenny by Garrett Power.
A more local winner was Tellthemnuttin which ran out the convincing 5/1 winner of the rated novice hurdle for Mayglass, County Wexford trainer Willie Codd and Dylan Robinson. Another Wexford winner came in the shape of Little Mitch, trained in Enniscorthy by Yvonne Latta and ridden by JJ Slevin, which took the 2m4f handicap hurdle at odds of 8/1. Tom Foley and Roger Loughran won the 2m handicap hurdle with 14/1 shot All In The
Head while the well-supported 5/2 favourite Water Sprite impressed when taking the mares’ beginners’ chase for Gordon Elliott and Denis O’Regan. Michael McDonogh, who trains in Shannon, County Clare was on the mark with the David Splaine-ridden Spancil Hill at 10/1 in the handicap chase and the bumper went to Jamie Codd who partnered 8/1 chance Minutestomidnight for Kildinan, County Cork trainer Jonathan Sweeney.
First and last race double for Henry de Bromhead at Tramore HENRY de Bromhead won the first and last races at Tramore on Sunday. The Knockeen trainer supplied Andrew Lynch with his first winner since he returned from a lengthy injury when 5/6 favourite Little Folke easily took the 2m maiden hurdle and David Roche was in the saddle as 6/4 joint-favourite Classic Theatre readily prevailed in the bumper. John Joe Walsh and Ambrose McCurtin won the 2m5f maiden hurdle with 11/4 shot Ballyegan Hero and he was the only other winning favourite at the meeting. There was a 12/1 winner of the 2m5f handicap hurdle with success going
to the David O’Brien-trained Ned’s Island and JJ Slevin while punters took a hit in the condition’s chase. Market leaders Bellow Mome and Flaxen Flare led the way until the both unseated their riders at the second last fence leaving the way clear for 25/1 outsider Akito to win for Shay Barry and Brian O’Connell. David Splaine enjoyed his second winner of the week when Stonehall Jack won the handicap chase at odds of 7/1 for Askeaton, County Limerick trainer David Fitzgerald. Philip Rothwell and Andrew Ring took the 2m handicap chase with 12/1 chance Rufino which made all the running to win.
Twenty-One finalists announced for Irish Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards 2017 TWENTY-ONE finalists, short-listed for seven of the 10 award categories in the 2017 Irish Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards, have been announced. The finalists were shortlisted from over 150 nominations received.
The winner in each of these categories will receive a specially-commissioned trophy and €5,000 in prize-money, with the exception of the Newcomer Award, who will receive a trip to Dubai, plus €2,500. The winner’s yard, stud or company in each cat-
egory will also receive a cash prize to be divided amongst employees. The winners of the Racecourse and Racing and Breeding Support Services Awards will be announced at the awards ceremony on Tuesday, May 9th in the Newpark Hotel, Kilkenny.