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Niche Market triumphs in Irish National.
After a sensational start to today's Irish Grand National, when the well fancied Wichita Lineman came to grief at the very first fence, brave Church Island made virtually all the running for the remainder of the race, and as the leading five entered the straight for the last time, he looked like he would hold on to victory.
Unfortunately for Church Island connections, Bob Butler's british raider Niche Market had not read the script, and as the two leaders by-passed the last fence, Harry Skelton drove Niche Market to the front, and although Church Island rallied, he could not get his head back in front.
A News Story ran on for third place, with favourite Rare Bob back in fourth. With the first three home having prices of thirty three to one, and fifty to one twice, the real winners from today's Fairyhouse centrepiece were once again the bookmakers.
Coolcashin lands ladbrokes.com Hurdle.
As long time leader Shakervilles faded from the front of today's ladbrokes.com Hurdle, Coolcashin, who was nearly put down twelve months ago following a serious leg injury, took it up, but approaching the last he looked a sitting duck as three other horses came to challenge. As things turned out, the much fancied Power Station and the returning Nicanor made a hash of the last flight, and although Essex, like Nicanor, another horse returning from injury jumped it cleanly, he did not possess the necessary stamina to overcome Coolcashin, who held on by a neck to win today's Grade 3 race.
Big Zeb shows his true abilities.
Colm Murphy had decided to return Big Zeb to the smaller obstacles after his fall in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham, and the move proved to be very profitable in today's King Crisps Hurdle at Fairyhouse. Always going well under Barry Gerrity, Big Zeb took it up half a mile from home, and despite urgent urgings from Ruby Walsh, the chasing Psycho could never make up the ground on the free running leader, and Big Zeb did his confidence the world of good with a comfortable one lenght win in today's two and a half mile contest.
Providing Big Zeb shows no ill effects from today's race, he should return to the larger obstacles in the Kerrygold Champion Chase at the Punchestown Festival.
Notra Pere now head of Scottish National field.
Jim Dreaper did exactly what he promised, and left it until the day of the race before withdrawing Notra Pere from the Irish Grand National. The decision was based entirely on today's going at Fairyhouse, which was considered too firm for the Welsh Grand National winner.
However, Notra Pere has been left in the Scottish Grand National on Saturday at Ayr, and he currently heads the weights of the thirty seven horses who have been confirmed at today's latest decleration stage.
Better news but Meade still doubtful.
Noel Meade has confirmed this morning, the leg injury suffered by Aran Concerto during his victory in yesterday's Powers Gold Cup is not as severe as first thought, but the handler still thinks it is unlikely his charge will recover in time to figure at the Punchestown Festival at the end of the month.
Pipe decides against risking Well Chief again this season.
When Well Chief came in second in last month's Queen Mother Champion Chase, his remarkable achievement after having two years on the sidelines through injury earned huge applause from the Cheltenham crowd.
However, trainer David Pipe has decided not to risk Well Chief again this season at either Punchestown or Sandown, as he thinks the current ground conditions are too sound for his ten year old.
"I would rather give him a full season in the 2009 2010 campaign. I know he will be eleven next year, but he has very few miles on the clock, and he still has plenty to offer at the highest level".
Oxx confirms Arazan for Newmarket Guineas.
John Oxx has now confirmed Arazan as an intended runner in next month's Stan James 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket. Having finished third behind Guineas favourite Mastercraftsman in last year's Group 1 National Stakes, Arazan has reportedly come on during the winter, and any Oxx runner sent over for a race in Britain must be treated with respect.
Although Arazan's stable mate See The Stars is thought to be more of a prospect for the Epsom Derby, Oxx has not yet ruled out a run for this colt in the Newmarket Classic.
Evasive back on Guineas Trail.
Evasive was thought to have suffered an injury which would keep her out of this year's Newmarket 1,000 Guineas, but a quicker than anticipated recovery, coupled with a reported good gallop in training, has put the Sir Michael Stoute trained three year old right back in the picture for the Fillies Classic in May.
Old Fashioned Derby victory now impossible.
Prior to this weekend, Old Fashioned was one of the major fancies for this year's Kentucky Derby, but a knee injury suffered while finishing second behind Papa Clem in the Arkansas Derby at Oaklands Park has ruled Old Fashioned out of this year's 'Race for the Roses'.
Smullen a serious partner for Serious Attitude.
Trainer Rae Guest is said to be delighted at securing the services of Dermot Weld's stable jockey Pat Smullen as the partner for his Serious Attitude in this year's Stan James 1,000 Guineas.
Smullen has proven experience of Newmarket, having won the 2,000 Guineas on Refuse To Bend in 2003, and Guest is more than happy Dermot Weld agreed to sanction Smullen's release for this Classic ride.
Silver Frost could head to Newmarket.
Yves de Nicolay's Silver Frost was a good winner of yesterday's Prix de Fontainbleu, and connections have suggested they may have a crack at the Stan James 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket, rather than the french equivalent at Longchamp.
Scottish racecourses in dispute with BHA.
It appears a major difference of opinion has blown up between the five Scottish racecourses and the British Horseracing Authority. It seems the BHA have offered the five north of the border racecourses more opportunities for bank holiday fixtures, but as officials in Scotland are pointing out, Scottish bank holidays do not co-incide with bank holidays south of the border, so the extra fixtures will not necessarily bring in substantial numbers of spectators, therefore, the extra bank holiday fixtures offered by the BHA have been declined.
The Scottish racecourses are in fact requesting more Saturday fixtures, an application they clain is falling on deaf ears at the BHA, so it would appear this subject still has much to be resolved.
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