Dont Tell Jack can thrive for step up in trip at Fairyhouse
Touched off on his only outing in a point-to-point, he finished fourth in a Navan maiden hurdle on his first inside the rails, and had very little go his way when seventh behind subsequent Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner Kopek Des Bordes at the Christmas meeting in Leopardstown.
Third behind Ethical Diamond next time, he made his handicap debut last out at Naas and ran well enough to finish sixth behind Jump Allen. With that experience under his belt, and the step up to almost three miles sure to suit, the five-year-old can land the spoils for Joseph O'Brien and Mark Walsh and continue the fine Easter weekend for owner JP McManus.
Recent Tramore winner Fairyland Opera is worthy of respect, and with Willie Mullins taking all before him, Fishery Lane must be considered, even though he was pulled up in the Albert Bartlett when last seen.
Although the ground may be more testing than ideal for Kalix Delabarriere, he can continue his slow ascent up the grading ladder by taking the listed RYBO Handicap Hurdle.
Impressive when winning a Ballinrobe bumper on his only start of last season, Willie Mullins' horse was disappointing on his hurdling debut, in a Leopardstown maiden won by Kaid d'Authie, and was no match for Ballybow on his second outing over obstacles.
Third time up, however, he made a successful step forward, taking a Naas maiden from which there have already been three subsequent maiden hurdle winners. While he didn't do much in a hurry that day, this five-year-old work-in-progress remains full of potential and his initial mark of 125 makes him extremely appealing despite the competitive nature of this race.
The top of the market should dominate the listed Boylesports Mares' Handicap Chase, and Zenta is just preferred to Majestic Force. While the mares' beginners' chase she won at Fairyhouse didn't look the strongest of contests, she posted an impressive performance and looks just the type to progress. Her mark of 140 looks manageable and she can prove that little bit too good for Majestic Force.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Irish Examiner
Kinlay Hostel Chase can bring best out of Zanahiyr
The action continues in Galway and Willie Mullins looks set for a bumper afternoon in Ballybrit. The champion trainer can make the perfect start by taking the BoyleSports Maiden Hurdle with stable newcomer Night Moon. A runaway winner on the Flat on his final start for David Marnane, he looks made for this game and should get up and running quickly. Last Kingdom can get back to winning ways by taking the second race, the BoyleSports Galway Tribes Handicap Hurdle. A winner at Fairyhouse's Easter festival, he has been beaten twice since, but remains open to plenty of improvement and will take beating. Alpha Capture can complete a great day for the Mullins team by taking the McDonogh Capital Investments Handicap. While he was second behind Oriole in this race last year, he looks a shade stronger this time and with the benefit of two recent good runs, he can gain an overdue return to winning ways. Mullins' Maughreen also has claims on her handicap debut in the third race, but this is fiercely competitive and the likes of Reverend Hubert and So Scottish must also be well respected. The nap goes to Reidh, who won over course and distance at this meeting in 2024. That was off a mark of 78 and while his handicap mark has slipped to 69, he posted an encouraging effort last time out and that should have put him spot-on for the return to this venue. It is also encouraging that his trainer, Richard Fahey, was amongst the winners here earlier in the week, when Tropical Island won the listed race. The hat-trick seeking Zaraahmando should appreciate this track and is respected, while Loingseoir was a shade unlucky here earlier in the week and should go well, though the drop in trip is not ideal. On Sunday's card, the nap goes to Zanahiyr, in the Kinlay Hostel Chase. A close third in last year's Galway Plate, he didn't fare as well this time around but certainly didn't run too badly to finish ninth behind Western Fold. His record over fences isn't inspiring, with just one win from nine starts, but some of the form is strong and this race should bring out the very best in him. With the small field there won't be much pressure on his jumping and he can follow likely favourite Blood Destiny around before picking him off close home. Pallatine Hills makes plenty of each-way appeal in the Village Salthill Handicap. Eddie and Patrick Harty's three-year-old ran well in defeat last time, in a one-mile race at the Curragh, and while he has run over ten and 12 furlongs, this race, which is over just seven furlongs, promises to suit. Likely to be ridden prominently, it will be no surprise if Dylan Browne McMonagle tries to make a test of it from before the turn for home, and he can get the job done at the expense of Tilani, who also appeals as a potential improver. Tommy Lyons' picks: GALWAY (Saturday) 2:02 Night Moon 2:37 Last Kingdom (nb) 3:12 Maughreen 3:52 Barra Rua 4:27 Action 5:00 Moon Reign 5:35 Reidh (nap) 6:05 Alpha Capture Next best 2:02 Astelia 2:37 Toll Stone 3:12 Reverend Hubert 3:52 Some Pretender 4:27 Winday 5:00 Staywithherjohnny 5:35 Zaraahmando 6:05 Impero GALWAY (Sunday) 1:50 Aurea Fortuna 2:20 Chance Another One 2:55 Zanahiyr (nap) 3:30 The Dasher Conway 4:00 Gleneagle Bay 4:30 Duke Of Cumberland 5:00 Pallatine Hills (nb) 5:30 Al Arrivee Next best 1:50 Ragmans Corner 2:20 Howdoyalikeherhome 2:55 Blood Destiny 3:30 Aeros luck 4:00 Princess Child 4:30 Bang Bang 5:00 Tilani 5:30 Doctor Steinberg
Irish Examiner
4 days ago
- Irish Examiner
Tramore's Dawson crowned Women's Amateur Close champion
Tramore golfer Anna Dawson said winning the AIG Irish Women's Amateur Close Championship was 'the icing on the cake' for her season after an enthralling final. Dawson had held a 4up lead through 10 holes in Ardee but her opponent, Holly Hamilton (Belvoir Park), was resolute and came with a ferocious late rally. Hamilton won 11, 14, 15 and 17 to send the match to its thrilling conclusion down the final hole. However, the 22-year-old, who is representing the Irish Women at Home Internationals in Woodhall Spa next week, showed a gritty determination to help her seal the title on the 18th green. 'It got very close there at one stage. Holly birdied 14, 15, 16 and 17, it was crazy golf. She definitely played her best,' said Dawson. 'I was just trying to continue playing the golf I was playing all week. Fairway, green, two-putt and if it drops it's a bonus. I was delighted to get it over the line. 'It feels great especially with dad on the bag, to share it together. Poor mum couldn't make it up today, my brothers as well, I'm sure they were watching it live on the stream. 'He's (Dad) out there every time. He missed one tournament when he got a new hip, a friend of ours caddied and I still won but he's there for me the whole time which is great, he's always supportive, as well as mum. 'My heart was pounding (on 18) but it was fine, I got it over the line, so can't complain. 'This is definitely the icing on the cake. It's nice to top off the summer with the home schedule in Ireland. 'I'm looking forward to Home Internationals next week, I have great confidence going into Match Play after this week, so really looking forward to it.' There would also be drama in the AIG Irish Girls Amateur Close Plate Final as the match went to extra holes to determine the winner. Eva Branks (Malone) held her nerve to secure victory on the 20th hole of her playoff against Alexandra Kearney (Stackstown). Kanturk golfer Mairead Martin won the AIG Irish Women's Amateur Close Over-18 Plate, when she defeated Laura Webb (Royal Portrush) 5&3 in the final. It was an awesome display from the Corkonian who went 1up on the third hole and although Webb got straight back on terms, she was 3 down by the turn. Martin won 13, 14 and 15 to be crowned champion. ISPA Handa Close Championships winner Brendan Lawlor at Ardee. Picture: Ryan Byrne/Inpho In the ISPS Handa G4D @ Ardee, local golfer Brendan Lawlor took home the Division 1 Gross title following a second round 73. He backed up his opening 70 to finish clear of Cian Arthurs (Roganstown) in second and Paul O'Kelly (Portmarnock) in third. 'It's amazing (to win in Ardee),' said Lawlor. 'Even through my professional career, I do a lot of my practice here, I'm affiliated with Carton House also, so I practice up in Carton one or two days a week, and then the rest is in Ardee. 'The pros Brian Curley and assistant Fintan Lawlor, would be my cousin, they are awful good to me and let me play whenever I want and include me in anything they can which is special. 'I played some really solid golf this week, I struggled with a shoulder injury the last week or so. I know the place extremely well so I wasn't going full pelt. 'I was kind of cozying it around, knew where to miss it, knew where to not miss it. I was +1 for two days, wasn't bad scoring.' In the Division 2 (Gross) Lambeg golfer Mark Clougherty was victorious after he finished on -5, ahead of Malcolm Thompson (Bangor) and Paul Kelly (Co Armagh). Co Tipperary golfer, Timmy Moloney, edged the Division 3 Stableford with a total of 75 points. He finished ahead of Jarlath King (Ballinrobe), Cathy Fitzgerald (Killeen Castle) and Tom Doherty (Killarney).
Irish Examiner
5 days ago
- Irish Examiner
Dawson soars into semi-finals at the Women's Amateur Close Championship
Anna Dawson carded an amazing 16 birdies and one match winning eagle as the Tramore golfer came through two tightly contested matches to book her place in the semi-finals of the AIG Irish Women's Amateur Close Championship at Adree Golf Club tomorrow morning. Having come through Stroke Play qualifying right on the cut line on Wednesday afternoon, Dawson would take on Katie Poots (Knock) in the top match on Thursday morning in what would turn out to be a fascinating contest. The pair traded holes for much of the match before the tie would be decided on the 20th hole with Dawson carding her 10th and the matches 17th birdie overall. 'It was a crazy match, we were holing putts like there was no tomorrow,' said Dawson. 'It was one up one down the whole way this morning so lucky I finished it on 20.' Buoyed by her performance in the morning session, Dawson carried the momentum of the early battle in her quarter final tie versus Shannon Burke (Ballinrobe), carding six more birdies before closing out the match with a sensational eagle on the par five 17th. 'It was very close the whole way with Shannon, bridies were definitely winning it,' said Dawson. 'We halved so many holes in pars too. It was nice to finish off the match with an eagle there on 17.' Fellow Irish International Zoe McLean-Tattan awaits Dawson in the first of tomorrow's semi-finals. The Romford star came through her last 16 tie against Libby Fleming (El Camino Country Club) 3&2 before a dominant back nine display against Kate Dwyer (Rossmore) in the quarter final saw the Irish Girls' Amateur Open Champion through to the final day. Holly Hamilton (Belvoir Park) and Ellen O'Shaughnessy ( are set to face off in the bottom match tomorrow morning. Hamilton impressed in her opening match of the day beating Kate Dillon (Oughterard) 6&4 before coming through a tight affair against Anna Abom (Edmondstown) 2&1 while O'Shaughnessy was not pushed past the 14th hole in either of her matches as the County Louth golfer took comprehensive victories, 5&4 over Ella Cantwell (Esker Hills) and 7&6 over Molly O'Hara. Molly Campbell (Hollinwell) will face Alexandra Kearney (Stackstown) in the first of the AIG Irish Girls' Amateur Close Plate semi-finals. Gemma McMeekin (Royal Portrush) will play Eva Branks (Malone) in the other final four tie. Mairead Martin (Kanturk) will play defending champion Clodagh Coughlan (Douglas) in the semi-finals of the AIG Irish Women's Amateur Close Plate, with Laura Webb (Royal Portrush) taking on Seána McGuinness (Greenore). Meanwhile, Brendan Lawlor made the most of his home course knowledge as the Ardee native carded an opening round of 70 to take a sizeable lead in the ISPS Handa G4D at Ardee. Brendan Lawlor (Carton House) tees off on the 10th at Ardee Golf Club Pic: @Inpho/Leah Scholes The G4D Open Champion birdied four and five before a bogey on seven meant he went out in 34 however the Carton House golfer bounced back with another birdie on 14 but a bogey on 15 ensured he finished one under for his round. Lawlor is clear of Cian Arthurs (Roganstown) on +6 and Fiona Gray (St Patricks Downpatrick) eight shots further in arrears.
