Fairyhouse hosted an informative weekend of National Hunt action, with the facile victory of the J P McManus-owned Youlneverwalkalone in the Hatton's Grace Hurdle providing the highlight.
The ?Hatton's Grace' produced a rare defeat for Istabraq 12 months ago when the front-running Limestone Lad maintained his relentless gallop, and the triple Champion Hurdler was very much in the thoughts of winning connections after Sunday's renewal. 'Youlneverwalkalone is a good back-up for J P in the Champion Hurdle should anything happen to Istabraq. It is always nice to have a sub!' said trainer Christy Roche.
Limestone Lad could be facing a return to hurdles after losing his unbeaten record over fences in emphatic fashion in the Drinmore Novice Chase. James Bowe's charge could find no extra in the straight as Sackville stayed on well to beat Arctic Copper. Well Ridden held every chance until making a bad blunder two out, and is one to keep in mind next time. Sackville is now a leading fancy for the Royal & SunAlliance Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, and this win capped a big week for trainer Frances Crowley who also announced her engagement to newly crowned Flat Champion jockey Pat Smullen.
The Tote has increased its minimum stake on win and place bets at the windows from #1 to #2. The dividend calculation remains to a #1 stake, while patrons can still have a #1 bet through the ?Touch Tote' machines. John White, the Tote General Manager, explained the change saying: 'The number of people betting in #1 units is dwindling, and the change will help to reduce queues at the big meetings.' Surely there is some contradiction in this statement, and the small occasional punter is given another reason to stay away from the sport ? perhaps to lower their handicap on the golf course or master the art of crochet!
The Irish Racehorse Trainers Association announced a change to its championship awards, with two titles up for grabs in both Flat and National Hunt categories. There will be separate championships decided on both winners and prize-money, which have produced different ?champions' in recent years.
The long-running legal battle fought by Mickey Cleary against both the Turf Club and Laytown Racecourse ended this week with the former rider settling his action for a ?substantial sum' plus costs. The 29-year-old suffered severe concussion after a fall from Five Little Girls at the seaside venue in 1994.
Charlie Hussey (50), a well-known bookmaker on the southern circuit, was arrested by British customs on the French side of the channel tunnel this week in connection with the discovery of a kilo of cocaine.
Hussey's colleagues had a day to forget at Thurles on Thursday when they were literally blown away. The high winds and driving rain made working conditions virtually impossible, and their discomfort was compounded with Seymour Breese, Shuttleworth, Moneyinthebank and Reminiscer all landing gambles. The latter, backed from 14/1 in the morning down to 7/2 favourite, provided Curragh trainer Peter Corrigan with his first winner in the juvenile hurdle.
The on-going wet spell claimed another victim with the Blackwater again submerging the track at Mallow, where Nick Dundee was due to make his eagerly awaited return from serious injury after a 21month lay-off. Hopefully the Gold Cup contender's comeback is delayed by just another week as the meeting has been rescheduled for next Sunday.
Alan Magee
