Kilbeggan races this Saturday evening

Horses for Courses

completing a double at the meeting having won on opening day on JP McManus’s Neveradullmoment trained by Philip Dempsey.

by Tom Red

Racing this week begins this evening in Sligo over jumps starting at 5.05 pm. Tomorrow jump racing is at Wexford, away at 4.55 pm and on the flat at Tipperary at 4.45 pm.

On Saturday, action is at headquarters, the Curragh, with the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes, in the afternoon and stalls open at 1.40 pm. Jump action is in the evening in Kilbeggan starting at 5.25pm.

On Sunday afternoon, there is the second day of the Curragh meeting at 1.50 pm and in Downpatrick a national hunt merting off at 2.10 pm. Racing on Monday evening is in Ballinrobe, a national hunt meeting, away at 5.20 pm.

Terrestrial television coverage this week starts this evening with six races from Chepstow in the Racing League covered on ITV4.

On Saturday, all six races from Ascot on Shergar Cup Day with two races from Haydock and one each from Newmarket and the Curragh. All races are being carried by ITV4 with Ascot also on Virgin Media 1.

Roscommon Review

In Lenabane on Tuesday, racing opened the Railway Bar Maiden Hurdle won by 7/1 shot Lake Winnipesaukee trained by Gavin Cromwell and ridden by Keith Donoghue. The Coast to Curragh Maiden Hurdle went to the Pat O’Donnell Co Limerick trained Extensio at 11/1 on his hurdling debut under amateur Patrick Gleeson, who was having his first ride on any track.

The Paul Byron Shoes Handicap Hurdle paid off Henry de Bromhead’s long trip from Waterford as Mike O’Connor rode Hand Over Fist to victory at 11/2.

The John F Hanley Groundscare Beginners Chase brought punters relief as Gracchus De Balme won under JJ Slevin for Joseph O’Brien at evens. Punters followed up in the Larry O’Farrelly Memorial Handicap Chase with Norwigi at 7/4 winning for Enda Bolger and Mark Walsh.

Punters were on the mark again in the Patrick Hennigan Memorial Handicap Chase when Rudy Catrail led pillar to post holding on by head for Dusty Sheehy and Shane Fenlon.

In the Brian Keenan On-Course Bookmaker Flat Race, Willie and Patrick Mullins teamed up to win with Portcammon at 4/5 sending punters home happy.

Galway Racing Festival Review

The gremlins invaded my system last week and apologies to readers as since I started Tom Red it was the first time to miss the deadline. The major race of the festival, Tote Galway Plate, was won by Gordon Elliott’s Ash Tree Meadow ridden by young Danny Gilligan from Craughwell outside Athenry. The 17-Y-O son of trainer Paul and Nattalie Gilligan is attached to Gordon Elliott’s and the 7lb claimer was recording his biggest win to date on his home course and was