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Paddy proves himself a class above his rivals.

Cruising in behind the front running The Hurl in this afternoon's Grade 1 Barry and Sandra Kelly Memorial Novice Hurdle at Navan, the Paul Nolan trained Shinrock Paddy took it up at the forth last, and soon opened up a gap on his rivals. The 11/10 race favourite, the Willie Mullins trained Rhyl Accord, tried to go in pursuit, but Alain Cawley aboard Shinrock Paddy knew he had plenty in reserve, and when asked, his mount quickened away to a very impressive fifteen length success.

Today's performance was sufficient to encourage several of the bookmaking firms to promote Shinrock Paddy into favouritism of two of the novice hurdle races at next March's Cheltenham Festiva - For fulll details, click here

Race fit Roberto sees off Cousin Vinny.

Coming to the last in today's Larry Rowan Memorial Beginners Chase at Navan, it seemed Ruby Walsh had brought Willie Mullins's Cousin vinny with a perfectly timed run to collar Jessica Harrington's Roberto Goldback in the closing stages, but the Harrington trained gelding had already had two previous runs, and his superior race fitness proved decisive as he got away well from the last fence and eventually opened up a four length lead by the time he hit the line.

Following the race, both trainers were happy, with Jessica harrington saying,

"He has now had three races in fairly quick succession, so we will probably give him a rest over Christmas. He did it well today, and I think he could get three miles in due course, and this opens up a whole range of novice chasing options in the Spring."

Willie mullins commented,

"He needed the race, and he will be a much better prospect on his next outing, particularly if he can get some good ground."

Donnas Palm takes slowly ridden Tara Hurdle.

With Scots Irish setting the pace, the first mile and a half of the Grade 2 Giltspur Scientific Tara Hurdle at Navan this afternoon was run at a crawl, but a mile from home,Barry Gerrity decided to take it up on the 4/9 favourite Donnas Palm, and from that point on the Noel meade trained five-year-old was in total control, going on to score a comfortable two and three quarter length success. After the race Meade commented,

"We were not sure if Donnas Palm would get today's two and a half mile trip on heavy ground, so the slow early pace certainly suited, but to be fair, Barry said after the race he thought Donnas Palm would have got the trip at full pace throughout." Meade added,

"I don't know why his form dropped off last season, perhaps we gave him too many races, but I do know, on his day, he is as good as Muirhead or Go Native."

Mullins takes honours with Gold and Silver.

In his first race of the season, the Willie mullins trained Gold and Silver could have been excused for being a little rusty, but his class actually shone through with a 'cheeky' win in today's Grade 2 O'Connell Warehousing Hilly Way chase at cork's Mallow racecourse.

Initially in close attendance to the front running Watson Lake, Paul townend sent Gold and Silver on at the fourth last, and despite making a mistake at the final fence, Townend knew his mount had plenty left, and he actually eased down to score by a mere length as Watson Lake tried to come back on the run in.

Mighty Mann makes winning debut over fences.

Henry Daly's smart long distance hurdler Mighty Man made a winning start to his chasing career when landing today's Beginners Chase at Hereford in some style.

Quel Esprit boosts his reputation at Cork.

Never off the bridle at any stage, odds on favourite Quel Esprit toyed with his rivals in the Grade 2 O'Connell Transport Cork Stayers Novice Hurdle. Hard held at the last flight, he eased to a three length win from Last Draw, and the Willie Mullins trained youngster now looks a major danger for the novice staying hurdles at next year's Cheltenham Festival.

Monday meeting at Ayr lost to frost.

Following an inspection of the racecourse today, Ayr Clerk of the course Hazel Peplinski has confirmed Monday's planned card has been abandoned due to frost penetration of the ground. With the forecast suggesting no let up in freezing conditions, racecourse officials have made the early decision to avoid unnecessary transport arrangements by owners, trainers and the genral public.

Poquelin to be put away specifically for the Ryanair chase.

Having obtained qualification by his win in Saturday's boylesports.com Gold cup, the Stewart family owned Poquelin is now to be rested, and then brought back in the new year for a training programme aimed spcifically at landing the Ryanair Chase at March's Cheltenham Festival.

Libaud true to his word about Vision.

As we reported yesterday, French trainer Eric Libaud was not concerned about the minor setback suffered by Vision D'Etat prior to today's run in the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Cup, and the trainer was more than honest in the assessment we published, in which he indicated Vision D'Etat had been trained specifically for the Hong Kong race.

In practise, under a super ride from Olivier Pesslier, the four-year-old turned in a scintillating late run from the home turn to scorch past race favourite Collection and thereby land the spoils. Luca Cumani's Presvis also put in his customery late run, but on this occasion, it wasonly good enought to take third position.

Vision D'Etat has now added the Hong Kong Cup to his other Group 1 successes in the 2008 French Derby and the 2009 Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot - the latter another race in which he showed a devastating late burst of speed. As Libaud believs his charge has the ability to win a Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe, it will be interesting to see if connections agree to keep him in training as a five-year-old.

Moon eclipsed by Daryakana.

In the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Vase, when Sir Michael Stoute's Spanish Moon took off as the field entered the home straight, he appeared to have made the decisive move, but Prix de Royallieu winner Daryakana suddenly emerged from the chasing pack, and under a cool ride from replacement jockey Gerald Mosse, the three-year-old filly's withering late run saw her head Spanish Moon in the shadow of the post.

Winning trainer Alain de royer-dupre confirmed the Aga Khan intends to keep the filly in training as a four-year-old, while Sir Michael Stoute indicated Spanish Moon would now have a well earned rest before returning in Dubai in the spring, with the Sheema Classic as his likely target.

Sacred Kingdom regains his title.

Sacred Kingdon, the 2007 winner of the Hong Kong Sprint, showed he is as good as ever with a professional display while regaining his sprinting title in today's renewal of the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint at Sha Tin racecourse.

Under jockey Brett Prebble, the Ricky Yui trained speedball took control at the half way point of the six furlong contest, and even when One World came with a fast late run in the final furlong, Sacred Kingdon had his measure, and accelerated again to take his second Sprint crown.

For those who enjoy watching top sprinters in action, hopefully, officials at Royal Ascot can persuade connections to bring the talented sprinter back over to Britain for the 2010 Royal Meeting.

Kyber Kim could head to Newbury in the Spring.

Knowing he has to keep Saturday's impressive Boylesports International Hurdle winner Kyber Kim fresh to obtain best results, trainer Nigel Twiston Davies is now considering giving his seven-year-old a break before bringing him back for a potential run in the Totesport Trophy at Newbury during February. Explaining his thoughts on what should be done, the trainer commented,

"Over his racing career, everyone who has been involved with Kyber Kim has always agreed he is a very talented horse, but we think we have found the key to him, and it involves racing him when he is fresh or when he is showing signs of being frisky. With this in mind, we will now give him a break until February, and then hopefully keep him tuned until he runs in the Champion Hurdle in March."