Imperial Concorde looks a horse that will be Galway bound for trainer Dermot Weld.

With just under ten weeks to the 2012 Galway Festival, the Dermot Weld and Dr Lambe partnership struck at Gowran park this evening as Imperial Concorde landed the opening Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Maiden under stable jockey Pat Smullen.

Available as big as 7/2 in the morning, Pat Smullen made all the running on the 4/5 favourite at the county Kilkenny track and although the former champion jockey needed to get serious in the saddle inside the final furlong, he held off the challenge of the Jim Bolger trained Einsteins Folly by a head.

Winning trainer Dermot Weld said “That’s our first two-year-old runner of the year. He’s a nephew of Grey Swallow and I like him a lot. He’s a really nice colt. Our two-year-olds have been a bit backward this year.

The Rosewell House based trainer added “Pat said he tired a bit close home, and he was left in front as nobody wanted to make it. We’ll see how he comes out of this before making plans but I think he’s a stakes horse.”

No doubt the Curragh based trainer will be eying a possible handicap at the Galway Festival for the two year old son of High Chaparral.

It was winner number twenty of the 2012 flat season for last year’s runner up in the jockey’s championship.

Liam Glynn

Gordon Elliott reports Chicago Grey to be in excellent form ahead of the John Smiths Aintree Grand National on April 14th.

Gordon Elliott today reported that he is very happy with Chicago Grey’s preparations ahead of next month’s John Smiths Aintree Grand National.

Chicago Grey was last seen finishing a mighty second to Rubi Light at Gowran Park in the Red Mills Steeplechase in a race that would have been far too short for his usual distances.

The nine year old who is owned by John Earls avoided Cheltenham thhis year even though he was a very impressive winner of the National Hunt Chase Challenger Cup for Amateur Riders under Derek O’Connor at Prestbury Park in 2011.

Speaking today Gordon Elliott said “It’s all systems go to the National and we’re looking forward to it. We’re training him as normal, but we’ll pop him over a fence the week before the race, but he seems to be in good form so we’re very happy.”

The county Meath handler has previously won the world’s richest steeplechase with Silver Birch who was ridden by Robbie Power in 2007.

Chicago Grey is generally a 20/1 chance for the Aintree Grand National which takes place on April 14^th.

Liam Glynn

Stonemaster beat Won In The Dark in last year's www.racinghomeforeaster.com Hurdle

Hello again, it’s time for your regular weekly racing preview, as kindly supplied by Malcolm Boyle from Sporting Life, geegeez.co.uk and several other notable publications.
Mal has once again sifted through the runners and riders for for the upcoming meetings to find us some pointers for success. Let’s cut to the chase and read his thoughts on the action scheduled for Cork, Dundalk and Gowran Park. Cork’s card features the www.racinghomeforeaster.com Hurdle, won last year by Stonemaster for Dessie Hughes. Last year’s runner-up Won In The Dark will aim to go one better this time around.

THURSDAY 22/03: 

Cork:

General stats: Colin Kidd has saddled three winners via just three runners at Cork and Barrow Mill (scheduled to contest the 6.15 contest) was Colin’s only potential runner during the entire week (up to and including Saturday).  

5YO maiden hurdle scheduled for 3.15: Favourites come into the contest on a hat trick, whilst market leaders have secured toteplacepot positions in the other two renewals.  All four winners have scored at a maximum price of 5/2.

Two and a half mile hurdle event scheduled for 3.45: All three favourites have finished in the frame, stats which include two winners.  All three winners have scored at odds of 5/2 or less.

FRIDAY 23/03: 

Dundalk:

General stats: As Dundalk stage meetings on almost a weekly basis, it’s difficult to make the news sound fresh/original, given that the same trainers tend to target the meetings.  Mark Johnston, Tommy Stack and Garvan Donnelly continue to be trainers to be kept on the right side.  

One mile handicap scheduled for 7.20: This appears to be a new meeting at Dundalk whereby trends are conspicuous only by their absence.  That said, Jim Bolger had saddled two of his last four runners to winning effect at the time of writing and the trainer held two options for this event on the card.

One and a quarter mile event scheduled for 8.20: Copperwood was Mark Johnston’s only entry on the card earlier in the week and given that seven of Mark’s last twelve runners had won at the time of writing, the chance for Copperwood would have to be greatly respected if the trainer offers the seven-year-old the green light.

SATURDAY 24/03: 

Gowran Park: 

General stats: Circus Act was due to represent the Ward yard in the 2.00 event at the time of writing, the stable having won with two of its five runners at the track.

Two and a half mile maiden hurdle event scheduled for 2.00: Five year olds have won all three contests to date whilst the biggets priced winner was returned at just 9/2 thus far.  Three of the four favourites have finished in the frame (one winner).

Two and a half mile maiden hurdle scheduled for 2.35. Seven-year-olds have secured six of the nine available toteplacepot positions to date, stats which include two (of three) winners at odds of 5/1 and 7/2.  We still await the first successful market leader though all four favourites have finished in the frame.

Two mile novice hurdle scheduled for 3.35: Only one favourite has finished in the money to date as we await the first successful market leader following three renewals.  Six-year-olds have won two renewals whilst having secured five of the eight available toteplacepot positions.

For the latest UK race trends, click here.

The Sneezer won the 2011 Shamrock Handicap Chase

After an unavoidable and unexpected absence last week, Mal Boyle’s back with his preview of all the upcoming racing between now and Sunday. There’s plenty of action planned with meetings scheduled for Downpatrick, Clonmel, Dundalk, Gowran Park and Naas. The weekend’s most valuable race is Saturday’s Shamrock Handicap Chase at Gowran Park, won last year by The Sneezer.

WEDNESDAY 07/03: 

Downpatrick:

General stats: Favourites in the handicap sector at Downpatrick have a poor record, ‘boasting’ a 15% strike rate during the last five years.

3.45: The last four winners have scored at 40/1–14/1–10/1–8/1, following the victories of three successive favourites.

4.45: Five-year-olds have won seven of the last ten contests during which time, five market leaders have prevailed.

THURSDAY 08/03: 

Clonmel:

General stats: Although Willie Mullins remains in charge at the track in the trainer sector, Liam Cusack has saddled three of his six runners at the venue to winning effect.  Top Flower was his only potential runner on the card at the time of writing.

Two and a half mile maiden hurdle scheduled for 2.05: Five-year-olds have won four of the last five contests during which time, two favourites obliged.

Two and a half mile handicap chase scheduled for 4.45: We still await the first winning favourite following four renewals, though bookmaker’s have to had things going all their won way with a top priced winner of 8/1 being returned thus far.

FRIDAY 09/03: 

Dundalk:

General stats: Rocky’s Pride (scheduled to contest the 8.00 event) was Garvan Donnelly’s only entry on the card at the time of writing, the trainer boasting an LSP figure of forty one points at Dundalk via a strike rate of 25% (seven winners).

SATURDAY 10/03: 

Gowran Park: 

General stats: Charles O’Brien held two entries on the card at the weekend, having saddled three of his eight runners at the course to winning effect.

Two mile maiden hurdle event scheduled for 2.10: Five-year-olds have won four of the last five renewals during which time, three market leaders have scored.

Two mile maiden hurdle scheduled for 2.45: Six and seven-year-olds have equally shared the four contests thus far.

Two mile handicap hurdle scheduled for 3.20: Five of the last six winners have carried weights of 11-1 or less (one successful favourite).

Hunter Chase event scheduled for 4.55: Seven-year-olds have won six of the last ten contests during which time, four market leaders have prevailed.

Five-year-olds have won four of the five contests of the closing INH flat race.

SUNDAY: 11/03

Naas:

General stats: Willie Mullins leads the way on 26% (via thirty winners) as is seemingly ever the case.  Trainers with decent rates (though with far fewer winners) include Eddie Harty (24%) and Thomas Cooper (21%).

Two mile novice hurdle scheduled for 2.15: Three of the last four favourites have prevailed, whilst the biggest priced winner during the six year history of the contest was returned at just 9/2 (last year).

Grade 3 novice chase event scheduled for 2.45: All three favourites have finished in the frame for toteplacepot information, stats which include two winners.

Two mile three furlong handicap hurdle event scheduled for 3.15: Nine-year-olds have won the last four events whilst just two favourites have won during the last decade during which time, all ten winners have carried weights of 11-0 or less.

Three mile (Grade C) handicap chase scheduled for 4.20: Horses carrying weights of 10-5 or less have secured seven of the nine available win and place positions to date, stats which include all three (33/1–8/1–5/2) winners.

Three mile maiden hurdle event scheduled for 4.50: Seven-year-olds old lead the six-year-olds 5-4 via the last ten contests.  The biggest priced winner during the study period was returned at 8/1 (three winning favourites).

Five-year-olds have won the last five renewals of the closing INH flat race which is scheduled to be contested at 5.20.

For the latest UK race trends, click here.

Gordon Elliott's Chicago Grey will by pass Cheltenham and head straight for the John Smiths Aintree Grand National.

Chicago Grey will head straight to the Aintree Grand National after pleasing connections in his final run before the world’s richest steeplechase.

Chicago Grey finished second to leading Ryanair Chase contender Rubi Light at Gowran Park in the Red Mills Steeplechase earlier this month.

The Gordon Elliott trained grey will bypass the Cheltenham Festival  even though he won around Prestbury Park last year when winning the four-mile National Hunt Chase under Derek O’Connor.

Chicago Grey will now be aimed for the Grand National at Aintree on April 14^th.

He is best priced at 25/1 for the race and his trainer Gordon Elliott knows how to prepare a horse for this race as he won the race in 2007 with Silver Birch who was ridden by Robbie “Puppy” Power.

Chicago Grey will bid to become the first grey since 1961 to win the National as Nicolaus Silver was the last one to do this for trainer Fred Rimell and jockey Bobby Beasley of a weight of 10stone 1lb.

Gordon Elliott said today “He’s good and will go straight to the Grand National now. We were very happy with his run at Gowran. The two and a half miles was way too short for him.”

The county Meath handler has an excellent chance as Chicago Grey has only a weight of 10stone 13lb.

Liam Glynn

Paul Townend combined with Zaidpour to take the Red Mills Trial Hurdle at Gowran Park in tremendous style today

The Willie Mullins trained  Zaidpour has proved that he likes it around Gowran Park as he recorded his second win this year at the track.

Zaidpour had previously beaten the talented mare Voler La Vedette in the Grade Two John Mulhern Galmoy Hurdle on Thyestes Day back in January and today he raised his game as he cruised to success in the Grade Two Red Mills Trial Hurdle under Paul Townend.

Paul Townend had tracked the leaders most of the way around but took over half way and Rich Ricci’s gelding had things in control from the second last, as his rivals started to flounder, and eased to an unextended six-and-a-half length verdict.

Sabrina Harty’s Kalann and Henry de Bromhead’s Darwins Fox battled it out for second place with Harty’s Kalann eventually edging Darwins Fox out for the second place by four and a half lengths.

Despite dropping back in trip from three mile to two mile today, it was the fourth win of the season for Zaidpour having recorded wins at Navan, Thurles and two at today’s county Kilkenny track.

Willie Mullins said after the race “That was straight forward enough. He jumped well and showed lots of speed,” said Mullins. He did it well and if I could find another nice race like that I would.”

Zaidpour will probably head to the Cheltenham Festival but the question is to know what race he will run in as he holds entries in the World Hurdle and may even take on his stable mate Hurricane Fly in the Champion Hurdle.

Zaidpour is in around a 33/1 chance for the Champion Hurdle and has been cut into 12/1 with most firms for the Ladbrokes World Hurdle.

Liam Glynn

Rubi Light heads for the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham following his impressive win in the Red Mills Chase at Gowran Park.

Rubi Light made all under jockey Andrew Lynch today at Gowran Park to record a sixteen length victory in the Grade Two Red Mills Steeplechase.

Rubi Light proved a different class today and the 2/5 favourite jumped very nicely apart from a care at the second last where he clipped the birch but Andrew Lynch got him back on the straight to win easing down to his nearest rival Chicago Grey back in second.

Willie Mullins Apt Approach finished back in third place a further six lengths adrift. It was Rubi Light’s second win in the race as he followed up last year’s success and it was also a drop back in trip for the French bred seven year old as he had finished second to Synchronised in the 3 mile Lexus Chase at the Leopardstown Christmas Festival.

Winning trainer Robert Alan Hennessy said after the race “He was a long-time in front and it was like a schooling session for him, He just popped around and was very good – he’ll be even better with a bit of company. Andrew was very impressed with him. He made the rest look very ordinary.”

“When Andrew got off him after Cheltenham last year he said he wouldn’t want the ground any faster. By the Friday the ground would have been too fast for him. If we get soft ground in the Ryanair we’ll be laughing and we’ll be praying for a bit of rain.”

Rubi Light has now booked his ticket for the Ryanair Chase on the third day of the Cheltenham Festival and is best priced at 5/1 for the race.

Jockey Andrew Lynch who is having his best season yet recorded a double at Gowran Park today as he won the Beginners Chase on the Henry De Bromhead Harpsy Cord in the opening Follow Gowran On Facebook Beginners Steeplechase.

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.

Pittoni who finished eight in the Stan James International Hurlde last December is set to run in Saturday's Red Mills Trial Hurdle.

Thirteen runners hold entries for Saturday’s Grade Two Red Mills Trial Hurdle at Gowran Park with Willie Mullins holding three of these.

The Clonsutton trainer holds entries with Zaidpour, So Young and Mikael D’Haguenet. Zaidpour was last seen when beating the talented mare Voler La Vedette in the Grade Two John Mulhern Galmoy Hurdle on Thyestes day at the county Kilkenny track.

So Young won nicely at Navan last time out when beating the Charles Byrnes Trifolium who has won three races since whilst Mikael D’Haguenet has been the horse to follow this season after returning to the smaller obstacles and recording three wins including the Grade Three Limestone Lad Hurdle at Naas.

According to Willie Mullins today only one of his three entrants is likely to run as he doesn’t want them clashing.

Charles Byrnes holds an interesting entry with Pittoni who was last seen finishing last of eight runners in the Stan James International Hurdle at Cheltenham last December.

Other notable entrants include last year’s runner up and 2010 winner Luska Lad from the John “Shark” Hanlon yard as well as Edward O’Grady’s Staying Article who finished a close third in the BoyleSports Hurdle at Leopardstown at Christmas.

Noel Meade’s Prima Vista who finished fourth to Zaidpour in December, Sabrina Harty’s Kalann and Silas Mariner, John Carr’s Benash. Jessica Harrington’s Gimli’s Rock, Josh Halley’s Dearest Girl and Henry De Bromhead’s Darwins Fox makeup the thirteen entries.

Liam Glynn

Rubi Light is set to run in Saturday's Red Mills Chase at Gowran Park before heding for the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham.

Nine runners currently hold entries for the Grade Two Red Mills Steeplechase at Gowran Park on Saturday.

Rubi Light is on course to run in the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in which he is currently vying for favouritism with the Paul Nolan trained Noble Prince and Henrietta Knight’s Somersby.

The Grade Two Chase on Saturday is set to be Rubi Light’s last run before heading to Prestbury Park in March.

Rubi Light looked a winner in the Grade Two PricewaterhouseCoopers Steeplechase at Gowran Park back in October when falling at the last in a race that was won luckily by Sizing Europe. Since the fall at Gowran Park, Rubi Light has gone on to win the John Durkan Chase at Punchestown and was runner up to the Jonjo O’Neill trained Synchronised in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown.

Willie Mullins Apt Approach seems to be improving all season and he looks set to throw down a challenge to Robert Alan Hennessy’s Rubi Light on Saturday.

The 9yo son of Bob Back beat Hennessy second and fourth, Roberto Goldback and Follow The Plan in the Grade 2 Kinloch Brae at Thurles last time out and he seems to be improving with each run this season.

Apt Approach is also joined by his stable mate Quiscover Fontaine in the race

Other notable entries include the Mouse Morris trained China Rock who finished a disappointed fifth in yesterday’s Hennessey Gold Cup but Mouse Morris said today that he will have to talk to connections before any decisions about the gold cup are made so Saturday’s race could be an option.

Speaking to AtTheRaces, Morris said “He jumped all right. He missed the second last but that didn’t really make any difference and he has just got tired. I’ll have a chat with the owners in the next week and see where we go. He’s in the Gold Cup, but we have to be realistic.”

Other notable entries include Trafford Lad, veteran The Fonze, Quarryvale, and Gentle Alice with Gordon Elliott’s Chicago making up the nine entrants.

Liam Glynn