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Aran Concerto proves his abilities.
Considering Noel Meade's Aran Concerto had only had one previous outing over fences back in November, he jumped like a top class chaser in today's Powers Gold Cup on the first day of the Fairyhouse Easter Festival.
Led into the straight by the Willie Mullins trained hat trick seeking Deutschland, Aran Concerto cruised alongside at the last fence, and ran out a clever winner from another Mullins hat trick seeking runner Barker, with Deutschland a close third.
Unfortunately, Aran Concerto showed why he has been so difficult to keep fit, for he finished today's race lame, and will almost certainly be unable to follow up on today's win with another victory at Punchestown.
Kemps a different horse on a sound surface.
Under a text book ride from Ruby Walsh, the Willie Mullins trained Kemps put his disappointing run in the Supreme Novices Hurdle well behind him with a two length victory in today's Grade 2 Rathberry and Glen View Studs Novice Hurdle.
Having to follow the clear leader Dundrum into the straight, Walsh timed his run to perfection as he cruised to the lead after the last hurdle. Trainer Mullins confirmed the good to firm ground had made all the difference to Kemps, and providing he comes out of today's race with no ill effects, the handler will seek another win for his novice at Punchestown at the end of the month.
Black Bear Island unable to claim victory today.
Although the Aidan O'Brien trained Black Bear Island could only achieve third place in his race at Longchamp this afternoon, he was eased after his winning chance had gone, so the race became more of a training gallop rather than a serious contest, and generally, the full brother to High Chaparral has remained unaltered in the Epsom Derby market.
Ground the key to unexpected outing for Voy Por Ustedes.
Many pundits considered Voy Por Ustedes would be sent to the summer paddocks after his recent win at Aintree, particularly as he has already secured the National Hunt Order of Merit title, but representatives for Sir Robbert Ogden have indicated, if sufficient rain falls over the next forty eight hours to soften the ground at Cheltenham, the multiple Grade 1 winner will line up in Wednesday's Grade 2 ESN Silver Trophy Chase at Cheltenham.
Although the run is still in the balance, it would undoubtedly be a major boost to the Cheltenham April three day meeting, and should add a fair number of spectators to the expected crowd for Wednesday's card.
Pure Poetry looks likely for Craven.
We speculated in one of yesterday's news stories that Pure Poetry, the winner of the Kempton Easter Stakes, would take up the option of a quick return to the track in Thursday's Group 3 Craven Stakes, and owner Julie Wood has today confirmed he will participate at Newmarket providing he shows no adverse reactions to yesterday's run.
Meade hoping rain stays away.
Noel Meade is hoping Fairyhouse is missed by the rain forecast for the next twenty four hours. The trainer would prefer good going for his novice Casey Jones in tomorrow's Irish Grand National, and he has even been bullish about his charge's chances of winning the Grade 3 contest if ground conditions remain sound.
Carberry has high profile return.
Having now fully recovered from the punctured lung and broken ribs suffered at the Cheltenham Festival, Paul Carberry returns to race riding today after several weeks on the sidelines, and he immediately finds himself in the spotlight.
Today, he rides the highly rated but untested Aran Concerto in the Powers Gold Cup, and tomorrow he accompanies Casey Jones in the Irish Grand National. So it will be interesting to observe as to whether this turns into an Easter weekend to remember for Carberry, or will his return turn into an anti-climax.
Martin will be represented by a trio not a quartet.
Tony Martin last won the Irish Grand National eight years ago with David's Lad, and tomorrow he will now have three chances to win the 2009 contest following the withdrawal of Hold The Pin.
His triple task force is headed by last year's runner up Royal County Star, and last year's fifth placed New Bay Prop, but the more interesting runner may be Cheltenham victor Drumconvis, for handicap and ground conditions may well suit this latter entry more than his proven Grand National campaigners.
Girl will move up to Group class.
Under an astute and patient ride from Fran Berry, Patrick Martin's Indiana Girl came from last to first to win the Salsabil Stakes at Dundalk.
Perfect Truth had tried to make the race a test of stamina, and she went on two furlongs from home, but Indiana Girl showed a good turn of foot as she swept past the long time leader in the final furlong, winning yesterday's Listed contest by a length.
Connections wer obviously pleased with the run, and have indicated Indiana Girl will now step up to Group class for her next race.
Naaqoos a definite doubt for Guineas.
Following his poor performance in Friday's Prix Djebel, trainer Freddie Head has confirmed Naaqoos is an unlikely runner in the Newmarket 2,000 Guineas. It is understood the three year old will now be stepped up in trip for his next run, so as to ascertain if he should be aimed at middle distance races later in the season.
Firms confirm Good Friday business.
Having opened their shops for the second successive Good Friday, the leading bookmaking firms are all confirming excellent financial returns on the day, and a Coral spokesperson pointed out, " The BHA are going to have to consider introducing a race programme on a Good Friday, as currently they are losing out on a substantial source of Levy revenue".
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