The Aidan O’Brien trained Henry Adams heads a small and select field for the featured Lester Piggott Gladness Stakes at the Curragh this Sunday.
Naas Racecourse is gearing up for a day of celebration as the course marks a century of racing on Sunday, May 19th.
Following light drizzle overnight the Curragh remains heavy ahead of this weekend's Flat cards.
Lady Bresil (5/4) was always holding the favourite Maroto in the Fourmilewater Maiden Hurdle at Clonmel and gave Henry de Bromhead an across-the-card treble on the day.
Horantzau D'airy is now two from two over fences for Willie Mullins after a decisive success in the Suir Blueway Steeplechase at Clonmel.
Not a single faller in the Grand National has to be seen as a major triumph for those involved in tweaking with the great race to make it palatable for a modern audience.
It is now little more than a distant relation to the race I was weaned on, but that is not necessarily a bad thing. The Grand National has always been the primary shop window for the sport and nowadays that requires a sanitised version where dead horses are simply unacceptable.
My Racing StorySponsored By Tote
I'm from Monasterevin, Co Kildare and I'm riding since I could walk really. My grandad used to have a few of his own horses. None of my family would really be into racing, but I got into riding ponies. Then, when I was about 11 or 12, I started pony racing which is a great place to start. It gives you loads of experience of race riding and gets your brain set up for the track. My cousin Aidan Melia supplied me with more than 20 winners pony racing. He was very good to me and got me going. I was all over the country pony racing up to Donegal and down to Kerry and sometimes over to Scotland as well. When I was about 11, I was in with trainer Seamus Fahey and he was very good to me. He got me going riding racehorses and gave me loads of experience riding work. I was always small when I was young and everyone used to tell me I should be a jockey. Thank God I stayed that way and my weight is good. I wouldn't wake up more than eight stone every morning. Hopefully, things stay like that.
Willie Mullins Punchestown Festival Stable Tour
We visited Willie Mullins' yard to get updates on his team heading to the 2024 Punchestown Festival.
- OUTLAW PETER has adapted well to chasing and, with last month's Kempton success looking particularly solid, the Paul Nicholls-trained gelding is difficult to get away from with a 5lb higher rating looking a fair assessment. Any further rain won't hinder the selection's chances and, with his usual partner Harry Cobden doing the steering, everything is in place for a big run. The hat-trick seeking Prairie Wolf and Heltenham complete the shortlist.