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Barker supreme as Pady blunders.
With Arkle winner Forpadydeplasterer blundering at the second last, the Willie Mullins trained Barker improved on his second to Aran Concerto at Fairyhouse, with a comfortable fifteen length win in today's Kathal Ryan Memorial Swordlestown Novice Chase at the Punchestown Festival.
Fiveforthree lays down marker to Big Bucks.
With Ruby Walsh oozing confidence, Fiveforthree cruised from the rear of today's field in the Punchestown World Series Hurdle, and eased alongside leader Pettifour as the horses entered the straight for the last time. Once given the office by Walsh, Fiveforthree galloped away from his rivals, winning by a comfortable seven lengths.
Having proved he gets three miles in impressive style, Willie Mullins now has the problem of deciding whether to keep Fiveforthree as a hurdler, so as to face Big Bucks in next season's World Hurdle at Cheltenham, or will the handler revert to his original plan of sending Fiveforthree novice chasing during the 2009 2010 national hunt season.
Bolger Champetre combination irresistible.
Today Garde Champetre added another Punchestown cross country title to his enviable portfolio, and most pundits in racing on both sides of the Irish Sea are beginning to wonder when an Enda Bolger horse will fail to land the major cross country prizes.
Jessie gets Ruby and Willie off to a great start.
Having previously scored in a maiden at Thurles, Jessie's Dream came to today's meeting at Punchestown with a good reputation, and under a great ride from Ruby Walsh, Willie Mullins's two to one favourite took today's Aon Insurance Hurdle in great style. Always travelling comfortably, when asked Jessie's Dream went on, and despite a mistake at the last, there was plenty left in the tank, with the six year old going on to score by four lengths from Noble Prince.
After the race, Mullins indicated Jessie's Dream would now have a rest before going novice chasing in the autumn.
British Government looking to close gambling loop hole.
The BHA have today applauded an announcement from the British Government in which they indicate they are setting up a consultation procedure to investigate the possibility of placing a levy on bookmaking firms located outside the British Isles.
It is obvious this announcement by Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe is aimed at bookmaking companies who have moved their headquarters and telephone operations outside of the british isles, but who still undertake considerable on-line and telephone business with british punters.
It is thought the British Government see this as a loop hole area in which they are losing tax revenue, while the BHA, who have already indicated they will have input into the consultation procedure, are keen to obtain a form of Levy payment from the bookmaking companies now operating 'offshore'.
Nicky Henderson happy with Punjabi.
Sevenbarrows handler Nicky Henderson believes he has got Punjabi just right for tomorrow's Rabo Bank Champion Hurdle at Punchestown. The Cheltenham Champion Hurdler is trying to emulate Istabraq and Hardy Eustace in completing the Champion Hurdle double in the same season, but despite the soft underfoot conditions at Punchestown this week, Henderson is confident his charge is capable of dealing with the ground and his eight rivals for tomorrow's title.
Willie Mullins has confirmed David Nicholson Mares winner Quevega will line up tomorrow, and jockey Ruby Walsh is hopeful the stamina sapping ground will suit her chances.
However, the interesting contender is Solwit. Having won over two miles and a half at Aintree, the two miles on soft ground should present no difficulty, and with the speed to defeat the likes of Fiveforthree and United at Aintree, Solwit could be the one to trouble Punjabi in tomorrow's Grade 1 contest.
Mullins pair to clash tomorrow.
Willie Mullins has confirmed Mikael D'Haguenet and Cousin Vinny will clash in tomorrow's Land Rover Champion Novices Hurdle. The former is attempting to land a six timer, and his ability to win the Ballymore Properties Hurdle at Cheltenham makes tomorrow's trip on soft ground well within his scope, while Cousin Vinny is trying to put a disappointing fifth place in the Supreme Novices Hurdle well behind him.
Of the British raiders, Bouggler is probably the most progressive, but he is unproven on soft ground in the highest company, and he will certainly find this contest harder than his victory at the Aintree meeting.
Murtagh decision makes Rip run almost certain.
Following his stone bruise incident earlier in the week, Ballydoyle representatives were saying earlier this morning ,Rip Van Winkle's involvement in this weekend's 2,000 Guineas was only around ninety per cent certain, but with the news Johnnie Murtagh has chosen to ride the colt in the Classic, we would suggest this possibility is now nearer one hundred per cent.
Withdrawals and doubts.
At today's final decleration stage seventeen horses have stood their ground in the Stan James 2,000 Guineas. Notable absentees are Jim Bolger's Intense Focus, and John Oxx's Arazan, and with the news Newmarket are watering the course as the going is currently described as 'fast', we would suggest punters who have supported current favourite Delegator should start sweating, for Brian Meehan has gone on record at saying fast going will almost certainly ensure Delegator goes to Longchamp for the French 2,000 Guineas instead of participating at Newmarket.
Kinane to ride Sea The Stars.
With the withdrawal of Arazan from the 2,000 Guineas, Mick Kinane has switched, and will now ride John Oxx's Sea The Stars in the Newmarket Classic.
Evasive looks good in pre-race gallop.
After performing a good looking pre-race gallop at Newmarket this morning, connections are now confident Evasive has fully recovered from his slight training setbacks, and he is confirmed as an entrant for this weekend's Stan James 2,000 Guineas.
Early Levy deal could solve outstanding questions.
The early completion of a new racing finance deal between the Levy Board and the Bookmakers Representative Committee could lay the foundations for the early solution of missing fixtures for next season. At present, four Sundays and several winter evenings were expected to be blank in next year's racing calendar, but the early agreement over racing finance could allow the Levy Board and the BHA to sit down and set aside sufficient funds to resolve this problem in time for the agreement of next year's racing fixtures.
BHA to give racecourses some local license.
It may be currently in the proposal stage, but it is understood the BHA are considering offering all British racecourses the opportunity to stage additional fixtures from next year. The two proviso's on the scheme are; the applying racecourse must acquire sufficient sponsorship for the meeting to be a successful draw to owners and trainers, and the meeting must tie in with a local or regional occasion, (e.g. If Musselburgh can sponsor a meeting to promote the Edinburgh Fringe, then they should be able to add an additional meeting to their racing calendar).
Clearer picture emerging over television coverage.
With the BBC seemingly concentrating all its minimal future racing coverage on flat racing at Ascot and Epsom, plus jump meetings at Aintree, the spotlight has for some time been on Channel 4, as the racing industry tries to ascertain as to the level of future coverage they are prepared to offer.
However, the word being leaked out of the negotiations between Channel 4 and Racing UK suggests an agreement is near. Based on the latest rumours, between 2010 and 2012, Channel 4 will continue to screen eighty days of racing, and in addition to retaining their coverage of the Newmarket Guineas and Champions meetings, they are likely to pick up the major jump meetings at Ascot and Haydock, which have been relinquished by the BBC.
If this rumour is true, it will be another major boost for racing, in what is becoming a very good week for the industry as a whole.
Late starts are producing dividends.
Based on initial returns, the decision to alter the start times of the first four days of the Punchestown Festival to 3.45 pm is paying dividends. Reporting on the first day of the meeting, Tuesday 28 April, RTE have confirmed their television audience figure was twenty per cent up on the corresponding fixture in 2008.
If this trend continues, it is possible it could lead to a major rethink on start times for premier meetings which attract television coverage.
Long Saturday available to Dundalk spectators.
In a gesture to its regular attendees, Dundalk Stadium are introducing a provision whereby spectators attending Dundalk races on Saturday 09 May can now stay on and enjoy free admission to the greyhound meeting to be held on the Saturday evening.
Youmzain raring to go.
Having put in a relatively disappointing run in the Dubai Sheema Classic in March, trainer Mick Channon has been delighted by the work of Youmzain since his return to Britain, and the trainer is hopeful his sicx year old can go one better than his runner up to Soldier of Fortune in last year's Coronation Cup. Commenting yesterday Channon said,
"He is working very well at home, and although we could go for the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh, I think we will try to get his head in front in this year's Coronation Cup at Epsom".
Major row at Punchestown over Betfair.
As part of their sponsorship agreement with Punchestown racecourse for this week's Punchestown Festival, Betfair had negotiated the right to display their prices on the giant screens situated around the course, but the ring bookmakers yesterday threatened to boycott the reminder of the meeting if this practise did not stop. Under this threat, the racecourse officials took the decision to stop showing the Betfair prices, and now the betting exchange are understood to be considering taking litigation over this breach of a signed agreement.
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