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Solwit pips Punjabi.
In yesterday's news pages, we advised the ground conditions at Punchestown would favour Solwit in today's Rabobank Champion Hurdle, and so it proved.
Locked in mortal combat all the way from the last hurdle, the two battled out today's championship, but on today's ground, the extra stamina of Solwit earned him a short head victory.
Speaking after the race, trainer Charles Byrnes said,
"Solwit will now have a well earned rest, and then I think we will campaign him in Ireland, before having a go at next year's Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham".
Punjabi's handler Nicky Henderson was his usual magnanimous self,
" Although today's ground conditions did not suit our lad, the best horse won on the day, and I am just glad he put in his true performance after a hard race at Cheltenham".
Mikael gives Mullins Walsh combination yet another win.
As eight to eleven favourite Mikael D'Haguenet and stable mate Cousin Vinny approached the last flight of today's Land Rover Champion Novice Hurdle, favourite backers felt 'squeaky' for a stride or two, but as good as Cousin Vinny had travelled, after the last Ruby Walsh got to work on Mikael D'Haguenet, and his proven stamina helped him to find a four length lead by the time he passed the winning post.
This victory meant the five year old finished his novice hurdling year undefeated, and as Willie Mullins confirmed after the race, both horses will go novice chasing next season, it would seem, based on today's evidence, Mullins and Walsh have some serious ammunition for the 2009 2010 national hunt campaign.
Mullins 'benefit' continues at Punchestown.
Having already turned the Punchestown Festival into a 'benefit' for his eventual retirement fund, Willie Mullins continued to produce the winners this afternoon. In the first race Ruby Walsh somehow got Ballytrim into first place after he had looked a difficult ride throughout his chase, and then , in the Betfair Novices Handicap Hurdle, Equus Maximus had too much in the locker for Tranquil Sea, and gave Mullins and Walsh another handsome pay-day at this year's Festival.
Totesport set up deal with US Pool.
In a first, Totesport have set up a live betting link with the US Pool for the Kentucky Derby this weekend. In essence, this means punters can either choose british industry prices, or they can ask for their bets to be calculated using the US prices on the horses in the race.
Apart from the lucky three.
For those of us who do not have achance of winning the near four hundred thousand pound Bonus Fund available in tomorrow's Scoop Six bet, it is back to the drawing board as a new round of the popular wager begins again on Saturday afternoon.
The six races involved in the Scoop Six for 02 May are as follows:
Leg 1 - Newmarket 2.00 pm.
Leg 2 - Goodwood 2.20 pm.
Leg 3 - Goodwood 2.55 pm.
Leg 4 - Newmarket 3.10 pm.
Leg 5 - Goodwood 3.30 pm.
Leg 6 - Newmarket 3.45 pm.
Meehan delighted with Delegator draw.
Brian Meehan is very satisfied with the number fifteen draw in tomorrow's Stan James 2,000 Guineas, and dispite slight reservations over the ground conditions, he believes the Craven winner gives him an ideal opportunity to score his first success as a trainer in the Colts Classic.
Meanwhile, Pat Smullen is delighted Johnnie Murtagh has chosen Rip Van Winkle for tomorrow's race, as Smullen believes, once Mastercraftsman gets on to a real racecourse in real race conditions, he will show the same kind of form displayed in most of his two year old races, and the jockey is certain it will be enough to land tomorrow's Group 1 contest.
Smullen's view is backed up by the figures, with Timeform putting Mastercraftsman at the head of their rating figures for tomorrow's race.
Elsewhere, John Oxx is very happy with Sea The Stars, and the trainer is confident his representative will put up a great show in what he thinks is a very open race.
Beat Seven withdrawn from Fillies Classic.
Following a 'mucky scope' this morning, trainer Gaye Kelleway has reluctantly decided to withdraw Beat Seven from Sunday's Stan James 1,000 Guineas.
Connections are hopeful the filly will be fit in time to run at York's Dante meeting in a fortnight.
Super Sleuth given her chance.
Despite setting her last race up for the fast finishing Lahaleeb, Brian Meehan thinks Super Sleuth has come on sufficiently to warrant her entry in Sunday's Stan James 1,000 Guineas. As a Selkirk filly, she will definitely progress, and with sounder underfoot conditions likely on Sunday, it will be interesting to see if she can reverse the tables on her Newmarket conqueror.
Jim Bolger is certain Cuis Ghaire shows her best form when she is fressh, so despite her lack of action in the early part of the flat season, the trainer is confident his filly will be fully fit and capable of winning over the one mile trip of the Fillies Classic.
What exactly is the disagreemment between Irish racing and Betfair.
This morning we got to the bottom of the suddenly escalating disagreement between Irish Racing and Betfair, and hopefully this article will give our readers a clearer insight into what is going on.
Probably most people saw this morning's story in the Racing Post, where Horse Racing Ireland stepped into the difference of opinion which erupted at this week's Punchestown Festival, but as a result, opinions on wat has happened are splitting people into hardened camps, and quite frankly, racing can do without this kind of argument during an economic recesssion.
To obtain the full story, and our opinion on what should happen now, click here
Connections rate Nashmiah chances.
Last seen winning the Spring Cup at Lingfield in March, it seems from the latest reports Nashmiah has been pleasing in her work on the Newmarket gallops, and she has also come into her coat, and looks the picture of health prior to Sunday's 1,000 Guineas.
It is normal for her trainer Clive Brittain to sing the praises of his horses, but Jamie Spencer is also said to be sweet on the filly's chances, so she certainly looks the sort who should be added to the potential winner list.
Ladies get in free at Dundalk.
In another innovative move, Dundalk Stadium are offering all ladies attending their joint horseracing greyhound meeting on 09 May, free entry for both sets of races.
Cumani has back-up plan.
Without naming names, Luca Cumani has indicated he has a replacement jockey in mind if Frankie Dettori is unable to ride Fantasia in the French 1,000 Guineas due to his potential Godolphin committment aboard Moonlife.
Duty D Day could lead to closures in Ireland.
From today, the duty on betting transactions in Ireland rises from one to two per cent, and the Irish Bookmakers Association have once more criticised the measure introduced in the Irish Governments emergency budget earlier this year.
The Association, which represents over seven hundred and fifty of the bookmaking shops in Eire, believes the measure could lead to around twenty five per cent of its members having to close their doors within the next twelve months.
Horse Racing Ireland make cuts for 2009.
Projecting a 14% decrease in revenue for 2009 in comparison to 2008, and also having to absorb a reduction in government funding of £1.2 million euros, Horse Racing Ireland, (HRI), have today announced a treble measure to balance their operating costs.
The first stage will see a further 5% reduction in prize money made available for races during this calendar year, while racing's operating costs will be cut by a further 5%, and the moratorium on all racecourse improvement or building schemes will remain in place for the rest of this year.
It is hoped the general economic trend will improve in 2010, and HRI will then take another look at its current financial restrictions, but in the meantime, the main objective of the organisation is to get Irish Racing through the economic down-turn in one piece.
Celebrate your winnings, or commiserate with others with fine wines & champagne’s:
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