Colm Murphy is very pleased with Voler La Vedette and Big Zeb after runs at Punchestown last week.

Colm Murphy is very happy with his stable stars Voler La Vedette and Big Zeb after Punchestown last week.

Connections of Voler La Vedette have decided to keep the eight year old mare in training next season after she finished second to the talented Quevega in the Ladbrokes.com World Series Hurdle last Thursday at the Punchestown Festival.

Voler La Vedette has had an amazing season as she picked up her first ever Grade One when winning the Grade One Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse last December.

She produced her career best when finishing second to Big Bucks in the World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and only went down by one-and-three quarter lengths.

Wexford trainer Murphy said “She seems grand and I think we just met one too good on the day. She still ran a blinder and I suppose in hindsight, having had a hard race over three miles in Cheltenham, we were asking a lot of her to do the same again, but she still ran very well. We’ll give her a good break now and get her back for next season. The owners are keen to give her another year, which is great news for me, and we’ll see where we are after that.”

Murphy also spoke about Big Zeb who finished third to the Henry De Bromhead trained Sizing Europe in Tuesdays Champion Chase without landing a blow at the Kildare venue. He reported that his eleven year old would not be retired but would be given an easier and different campaign next year.

Speaking to AtTheRaces; Murphy said “He’s come out of his race well and he ran his race. I think he probably ran to form. We’ll have a look at the programme book and probably take a slightly different route next season. There are a lot of good two milers around and we might try to avoid those and try to find some easier races for him, if there are any.”

Liam Glynn

Alderwood followed up his Cheltenham County Hurdle win at Fairyhouse today under Tony McCoy.

Tony McCoy completed a double on the Fairyhouse Grand National Card when Alderwood made a bold front running performance to claim the Grade Two Rathbarry and Glenview Studs Novice Hurdle.

The Cheltenham Vincent O’Brien County Hurdle winner was always in front in today’s race and despite the Willie Mullin strained  Allure Of Illusion coming with a challenge at the last hurdle, McCoy’s mount stayed on strongly to record a three and a quarter length success.

Alderwood was registering a double on the card for owner JP McManus who took the opening race with Get Me Out Of Here.

Jessica Harrington’s Supreme Novice flop Steps To Freedom went off the 9/4 uneasy to back favourite but never raised a gallop and could only manage to finish in fifth.

The mare Jacksonslady ran a cracker for trainer JP Dempsey to finish third under Barry Geraghty at odds of 12/1.

Winning trainer Thomas Mullins said “They can bounce after Cheltenham but half an hour after his run there it was like he didn’t have a race. I was confident enough therefore that he wasn’t feeling the effects of it.Tony were very worried about the pace early on so he elected to go on. I was delighted to see the rain coming today too.”

Mullins added “That was a similar run to Cheltenham but he was really at his best over there. Punchestown is on the agenda but he gave a good hard blow after that so we’ll just have to wait and see. I like the way he pulled away at the end.”

Winning jockey Tony McCoy said “Any winner of a County Hurdle has to be respected back in novice company and in fairness to Tom and his team they had him looking particularly well for today.”

Liam Glynn

Oscars Well will bid to win his first race this season tomorrow at Fairyhouse.

Eight runners have been declared for the Grade Two Keelings Irish Strawberry Hurdle tomorrow at Fairyhouse.

Jessica Harrington’s Moone stable has been in tremendous form and Oscars Well will bid to record his first win of the season tomorrow at the county Meath track.

Oscars Well was last seen finishing sixth behind Rock On Ruby in the Stan James Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in March and had beaten all but Hurricane Fly in the Irish Champion hurdle at Leopardstown in January.

The seven year old was very impressive last season when winning two Grade One Novice Hurdles at Navan and Leopardstown.

Speaking at Fairyhouse today about Oscars Well Harrington said “He seems in good form and we’re stepping him back up to two and a half miles, which should suit. It won’t be easy, as he’s got to give weight away to some good horses. I’m happy with him at home, so we’ll let him take his chance and see how we get on.”

A major danger in tomorrow’s race looks to be the Jonjo O’Neill trained Get Me Out Of Here who was last seen finishing second to Son Of Flicka in the Coral Cup at Cheltenham.

The English raider is owned by JP McManus and speaking today at Fairyhouse JP McManus’s racing manager Frank Berry said “The conditions of this race suit him quite well and he always runs a blinder. Hopefully he’ll do the same tomorrow and it would be nice to see him get his head in front.”

McManus is also represented by the Edward Harty trained Karabak in tomorrow’s Grade Two.

Edward O’Grady’s The Real Article is another interesting runner with Barry Geraghty booked to ride.

The first of eight races goes to post at 2:40 tomorrow at Fairyhouse with the Ladbrokes Irish Grand National taking place at 4:50.

Liam Glynn

Mouse Morris is very impressed with the improving Gigginstown House Stud owned Rathlin and has many options for the seven year old.

Rathlin looks to be a horse to watch in the future after he made it look easy when winning the Grade Two Nas Na Riogh Novice Chase without even coming off the bridle.

Formerly trained by Philip Rothwell, Rathlin finished sixth in last year’s Supreme Novice Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival but the seven year old disappointed over fences when joining the Mouse Morris stable.

Owned by Gigginstown House Stud, Rathlin got it hard to get going over the larger obstacles but eventually broke his duck in a Beginners Chase at Fairyhouse in January and has followed it up with wins at Fairyhouse again in February as well as Sundays Grade Two at Naas.

The Powers Gold Cup at Fairyhouse could be the plan for Rathlin or he may go to Aintree.

Speaking today his trainer Mouse Morris said “He’s really got the hang of it now” We’ve got no great plans for him – I didn’t even enter him for Cheltenham.”

“He might go to Liverpool, or there’s Fairyhouse (Powers Gold Cup), and there’s Punchestown in the mix, too. There’s no pressure from the owners Gigginstown House Stud to run him anywhere, but there never is from Eddie and Michael O’Leary, they’re very good and leave it up to the trainers.

“I’m glad this lad has come good as he was a promising hurdler but was disappointing on his first couple of starts for me. The difference is he’s learned to settle – he was running himself into the ground too early before.”

Morris has had good luck with the Gigginstown House Stud colours as War Of Attrition won the Gold Cup in 2006 for the trainer and Conor O’Dwyer.

Lion Na Bearnai in the red and black battles at Navan to defy odds of 50/1 in the Ten Up Novice Steeplechase now may be Cheltenham bound.

Meath handler Tom Gibney has not ruled out a run at the Cheltenham Festival for his recent 50/1 winner Lion Na Bearnai who caused a surprise when winning the Grade Two Ten Up Novice Chase at Navan recently.

Lion Na Bearnai’s main aim is the Powers Whiskey Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on Easter Monday but today his trainer said he will enter him for a few of the long distance Handicap Chases at the Festival.

Speaking to AtTheRaces today Gibney said that Lion Na Bearnai is a tough and his experience in long distance handicaps has clearly stood him in good stead.

Gibney said “Our plan since he finished second in the Porterstown at Fairyhouse last year was the Irish National, and I don’t suppose he’d have any problems getting in now after that.”

“I’ve also entered him in what was called the William Hill (now formally known as the JLT Speciality Handicap Chase for sponsorship purposes) and the Kim Muir, but we’ll have to see. If he’s bouncing, I’d have to have a look at going over.”

Despite only having five horses in training Thomas Gibney has proved that he is no fluke of a trainer when Lion Na Bearnai beat Four Commanders at Navan the last day.

Liam Glynn

The Midnight Club winning the 2011 Bobbyjo Chase.

Good Morning to you all! It’s Wednesday, which means it’s time for your regular weekend’s racing preview from our man with the stats: Malcolm Boyle.

This week, he has all the details from the meetings at Punchestown, Thurles, Dundalk (as always!), Fairyhouse & Sunday’s card at Naas. One of the highlights of the week is sure to be the Grand National trial:  the 3m 1f Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse on Saturday, where last year’s winner The Midnight Club will take on the classy Bostons Angel.

WEDNESDAY 22/02: 

Punchestown: 

General stats: Willie Mullins tops the trainer’s list here which is the scenario at almost every venue in the land.  The difference at Punchestown however is that Willie boasts a decent LSP reading of twenty-eight points which is unusual, offering further proof that Willie generally scores with fancied runners on an everyday basis.

2.00: Favourites have won the last five renewals.

2.30: The five renewals have produced a top priced winner of 7/1 (two successful market leaders).

3.35: We still await the first winning favourite following four contests, three of which have been won by horses starting at 33/1–14/1–14/1.

4.10: Eight-year-olds have won three of the last four contests and vintage representatives come to the gig on a hat trick this time around.

THURSDAY 23/02: 

Thurles:

General stats: James Joseph Mangan held three options on the card at the time of writing which makes for interesting reading, given his Dundalk strike rate of 20%, which is backed up by an LSP figure of over twenty points.

5YO maiden hurdle event scheduled for 2.55: Five renewals have slipped by since the only winning favourite was recorded via eight contests since 2003.

Two and three-quarter mile maiden hurdle scheduled for 3.55: Six-year-olds have won all three renewals to date, the last two of which were secured by market leaders.

Two and three-quarter mile handicap hurdle event scheduled for 4.25: All four favourites have finished out with the washing via three renewals thus far.  Horses carrying weights of 11-2 or more have won all three contests.

Six-year-olds have won all three renewals of this closing bumper event which was scheduled to be contested at 4.55.

FRIDAY 24/02: 

Dundalk: 

General stats: Garvan Donelly has won with all three runners in February thus far and with just two runners entered this week (both at this venue), its worth taking his 7/26 stats at Dundalk into account.  Garvan’s LSP reading at Dundalk exceeds forty-three points for good measure.

This is a new meeting on the Irish calendar whereby no trends are in place.

SATURDAY 25/02: 

Fairyhouse:

General stats: Dermot Weld (5/21) is the only trainer to get anywhere near the 27% strike rate of Willie Mullins regarding the trainers who have horses entered to run at the course this weekend.

Two and a half mile handicap hurdle event scheduled for 3.00: Eight-year-olds have secured five of the last ten contests, the same stats also applying to market leaders during the period.

‘Bobbyjo Chase’ scheduled for 3.30: The last ten renewals have produced a top priced winner of 6/1, though only three successful market leaders were recorded during the study period.  Ten-year-olds have won the last four contests.  Dessie Hughes has saddled two of the last three winners whilst securing three victories during the last decade.

Beginners’ Chase scheduled for 4.05: Favourites of one description or another have secured four of the last six contests.  Seven-year-olds have won four of the last seven renewals.

SUNDAY 26/02: 

Naas: 

General stats: Peter Fahey held two options on the card at the time of writing and with Peter having saddled two of his five runners at the venue to winning effect thus far, Peter’s runners at the track are worth a second glance.

Two mile maiden hurdle event scheduled for 1.45: Five-year-olds have won three of the five renewals to date during which time, two favourites have prevailed.  Four of the five gold medallists have scored at odds of 7/2 or less.

Two mile handicap hurdle scheduled for 2.15: Only one of the last nine renewals have been secured by a favourite, whilst six-year-olds have won four contests during the study period.

Grade 2 novice chase event scheduled for 2.55: Seven-year-olds have secured five of the last nine renewals whilst six-year-olds come to the gig on a hat trick this time around.

Two mile Grade 2 novice hurdle scheduled for 3.25: Six and seven-year-olds have won the last nine contests between them with the ‘junior’ representatives leading 7-2 during the period.

For the latest UK race trends, click here.

Katie Walsh has steered Seabass to his last two wins but he needs rain at Kempton before Saturday to bid for a seventh win in a row.

Seabass will be hoping for softer conditions at Kempton on Saturday if he is to take his chance in the Racing Plus Chase.

Ted Walsh’s Seabass has won his last six starts including valuable wins at Leopardstown and at Limerick and although a nine year old he seems to be at his top form.

Currently the ground at Kempton is drying out and clerk of the course Barney Clifford may have to consider watering. Speaking to Racing UK today Clifford said “There is the possibility of us getting a couple of millimetres of rain on Wednesday evening, so we’ll see if that materialises and go from there, but it would be nice. There has been plenty of moisture in the ground, as you would expect for this time of year, but it is drying out a bit and I wouldn’t rule out putting five millimetres of water on during Thursday and Friday if we don’t get much more rain. I’m only contemplating it at the moment and I won’t make any decision on watering until Thursday.”

Ted Walsh has other options for Seabass if the ground dries out to much and may run him in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse on Saturday or the PaddyPower.com Chase at Naas on Sunday.

Trainer Ted Walsh would love to run Seabass in the valuable race at Kempton but said today “They are calling the ground good at Kempton and are even talking about watering if the rain doesn’t come, which tells me it is pretty quick – that wouldn’t suit our horse. We’ve also got him at Fairyhouse and Naas and we’ll just see which way the weather is going later in the week. We’d like to go to Kempton, but the trouble is you can travel over and then be tempted to run – even if the ground isn’t right.”

Whatever happens weather wise Seabass will be searching for his seventh win in a row at the weekend.

Liam Glynn

Dessie Hughes now trains the former John Oxx trained Minsk who is due to make his hurdling debut at Fairyhouse on Saturday.

The former John Oxx trained Minsk is set to make his eagerly anticipated hurdling debut at Fairyhouse on Saturday. Minsk was an impressive winner of the Irish Cesarewitch at the Curragh last October and his owner Barry Connell decided to send him on a hurdling debut.

Minsk is now trained by Dessie Hughes who is aiming him for the JCB Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival but his run on Saturday will determine whether he is Prestbury Park bound in March.

Minsk is due to run in the Grade Two Winning Fair Juvenile Hurdle which sees Willie Mullins hold entries with Ut De Sivola and Midnight Oil as well as Noel Meade’s recent Naas winner Bat Masterson.

Speaking to AtTheRaces this morning, Minsk’s trainer Dessie Hughes spoke very optimistic and said “I’d expect a good run from him. He has schooled well and looks a natural. He’s able to fiddle a hurdle well and is good and quick when he meets one wrong. He’s not stupid. I think he’s going to be fit enough to do himself justice. He’d nearly have to win to justify that price. He looked a very good horse in the Cesarewitch and he looked quite good in the ladies race he won on quicker ground at the Curragh.”

Minsk is currently around the 6/1 mark for the JCB Triumph Hurdle and may go shorter come Saturday if he puts up a good performance in the Juvenile Hurdle at Fairyhouse.

Liam Glynn

Dunguib won last year's Red Mills Trial Hurdle.

Hello everyone and welcome to your weekly racing preview from Malcolm Boyle. Mal’s got an excellent track record at finding winners via stats and trends and he shares his thoughts with us every week.
Today, we’ve got his take on the upcoming meetings from Fairyhouse, Clonmel, Dundalk, Gowran Park and finally, Sunday’s card at Navan. There’s some good quality races lined up, particularly on Saturday & Sunday, where both meetings have a couple of Grade 2 events planned.
Interestingly, Cheltenham-bound Mikael D’haguenet still held entries for both days. I suspect he’s more likely to appear on Saturday at Gowran Park, though, for the Red Mills Trial Hurdle, won last year by Dunguib.

WEDNESDAY 15/02: 

Fairyhouse:

General stats: Leading trainers with potential runners: W. Mullins: 69 (27% strike rate), D.T. Hughes: 31 (13%), A.J. Martin: 20 (14%)

2.05: Seven-year-olds lead the six-year-olds 3-2 via five renewals to date.

3.05: Favourites come into the contest on a four-timer, the last three winners also having carried weights of 11-3 or more.

THURSDAY 16/02: 

Clonmel:

General stats: Leading trainers with potential runners: W. Mullins: 29 (27%) and Robert Tyner: 10 (19%)

Maiden hurdle event scheduled for 2.05: Six-year-olds have secured four of the six available toteplacepot positions to date, stats which include both winners.

Two and a half mile maiden hurdle contest scheduled for 3.05: Six-year-olds (carrying 11-4 or more) have won the last three renewals.

Two and a half mile handicap chase scheduled for 4.10: Four renewals have slipped by without a winning favourite being recorded during which time, seven-year-olds have won three contests.

FRIDAY 17/02: 

Dundalk:

General stats: Leading trainers with potential runners: G.M. Lyons: 72 (14%), M. Halford: 60 (11%), E. Lynam: 50 (13%)

SATURDAY 18/02: 

Gowran Park:

General stats: Leading trainers with potential runners: W. Mullins: 35 (25%), N. Meade: 13 (13%)–E. O’Grady: 13 (18%)

Beginners’ Chase event scheduled for 1.35: Seven-year-olds have secured five of the last seven renewals.

Grade 2 ‘Red Mills’ event scheduled for 3.15: Six of the last seven winners carried weights of 11-6 or more whilst five of the last eight contests have been won by favourites.

Two mile maiden hurdle scheduled for 3.50: The biggest priced winner during the last decade won at 7/1 during which time, five market leaders prevailed.

Two and a half mile handicap hurdle scheduled for 4.25: The last eight winners have carried a maximum burden of eleven stones. Seven-year-olds have won four of the last eight contests, whilst only one favourite has obliged during the last decade.

SUNDAY 19/02: 

Navan:

General stats: Leading trainers with potential runners: W. Mullins: 41 (28%), N. Meade: 37 (17%), D.T. Hughes : 18 (10%)

Two mile maiden hurdle scheduled for 1.50: Six-year-olds lead the seven-year-olds 5-4 during the last decade.  Five clear market leaders have prevailed during the study period alongside one joint favourite.

Grade 2 ‘Boyne Hurdle’ scheduled for 2.20: Seven favourites have won during the last decade.  The biggest priced winner was recorded at 7/1.

Flyingbolt Novice Chase scheduled for 4.00: Seven-year-olds have won six of the last seven contests.  Only on e favourites has scored during the decade.

Ten Up Novice Chase scheduled for 4.30: Eight favourites of one description or another have won via the last ten contests during which time, the biggest priced winner was sent off at 6/1.  Willie Mullins has saddled three of the last six winners and his only option at the five day stage was beaten favourite Bishopsfurze.

For the latest UK race trends, click here.

The seven-year-old looked set for big things when trained by Philip Rothwell last season and finished sixth in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Since joining Morris in the summer he has been a beaten favourite at Thurles twice but made every yard under Davy Russell as the 6-4 market leader.

“That was much better. He’s got his wind done and hopefully he’ll come on confidence-wise,” said Morris.

“I’d say he needs a bit of a trip. He’ll maybe get three miles if he learns to relax a bit more. He jumped well today.”

Oliver McKiernan saddled a double with Profit Margin (13-2) and Changing Times (5-1).

Profit Margin nearly got rid of Ger Fox at the second fence in the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Chase but he recovered brilliantly in plenty of time to win by three and a half lengths.

“He did it well and he got a great ride,” said McKiernan.

“That was the first time that Ger had sat on him. He’s been a very unlucky horse in some of his previous races. He missed out a couple of times when we thought he would win.”

Changing Times was given a patient ride by Shane Crimin in the Fairyhouse Membership Maiden Hurdle. It was the 7lb claimer’s second win.

Noel Meade’s Mickelson (10-1) repaid his trainer’s faith in the Racegoer’s Package 25 euro Maiden Hurdle.

After showing some decent bumper form he had yet to win a race and was beaten a long way on his hurdling debut. However, he made every yard under a confident Paul Carberry and could go on to better things.

“I thought he was a certainty at Down Royal on St Stephen’s Day but he ran like a hairy goat (finished 7th),” said Meade.

“Why he ran like that I don’t know – maybe it was the ground. We tried something different with him today (made the running) and it worked.

“He jumped well and Paul’s a brilliant rider from the front – he is such a good judge of pace. He always looked decent at home but he’s been a bit disappointing to be honest.

“We’ll see where we go now and he probably wants better ground. With that being the first race he got the best of it which was a big help.”

Michael McElhone, who gave up his licence for a few years, saddled his first winner since 2008 when Dooney Rock (5-1) made all in the Costa Coffee Dock Rated Hurdle.

“He’s a wonderful little horse and I couldn’t be more delighted for the owners,” said McElhone.

“Dooney Rock is out of the first winner (Cormac Lady) that I ever trained. I can take no credit for the win though, my wife Anne rides him out every day – she does the whole thing.”

Followers of Willie Mullins collected in the concluding bumper with Dr Machini, and at a rewarding price.

An odds-on favourite in the morning, despite her main market rival being a non-runner she was sent off at 6-4 under Patrick Mullins.

“Patrick suggested the mares’ bumper at Aintree for her. We think she’ll be far better on better ground and she’s improving all the time. She’s got stronger since her last run,” said the trainer