Latest news with #MaidenHurdle
Irish Examiner
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Happy Jacky repeats the feat at Cork
The Mark Fahey-trained 11-year-old Happy Jacky, ridden again by 7lb claimer Peter Smithers, repeated last year's win in the three-mile RBC Brewin Dolphin Hurdle, but only after a protracted duel with market rival Reverend Hubert. Committed turning out of the back straight by Smithers, the even-money favourite looked in trouble when Reverend Hubert loomed up in the straight but, in typical fashion, Happy Jacky fought back bravely on the run-in to earn the spoils by a head, before being dismounted by Smithers. 'He's a little warrior and the lads (owners, the Ryans) love him,' stated winning trainer Fahey. 'I thought he was beaten three times and going to win three times up the straight — but that's him — he never gives up.' Smithers said: "Mark has some job done on him. I was going forward all the way, but thought we were in trouble between the last two, but he dug deep for me.' Eddie Power's dual bumper-winner Sunny South West (5-4 favourite) made a successful start over hurdles when, untidy at the first, he made all under Phillip Enright to take the Buy Tickets On Maiden Hurdle at the expense of William Tell and That Danny Feeling. 'He never jumped those rubber hurdles before and was probably travelling too well and had too much time going down to his hurdles,' explained Power. 'He wants two and a half miles and there's a novice for him on the Thursday of Galway.' Meanwhile, in Kilbeggan, the Henry de Bromhead-trained Amirite, runner-up to Idas Boy in the race last year, bagged the €100,000 Kilmurray's Homevalue Hardware Mullingar Midlands National under an inspired, front-running ride by Darragh O'Keeffe. The nine-year-old, without a chase success since October 2022, jumped impeccably in front, with the exception of the last two fences, but found plenty for a determined O'Keeffe to hold second reserve Mica Malpic and Mark Walsh by a head, with an 11-length gap back to favourite Moonovercloon. 'It's great for his owners and everyone at home,' declared a delighted O'Keeffe. 'He's been knocking on the door in plenty of big handicaps and deserved to win a big pot. 'He's a classy horse and loves good ground. If you took his Punchestown effort out of it and looked at his Aintree run, he was probably entitled to be favourite. 'He missed the last two fences but, in fairness to him, he dug deep and stuck his head out when the other horse came to him.' Stable representative Robbie Power added: 'He ran a blinder in the Topham over the National fences and Paddy (owner Paddy Hale) would like to go back to Aintree, for the National, if he gets in.' The De Bromhead team completed an across-the-card double when debutante Salsinha, backed into 5-4 favourite, bolted up in the Cork bumper, under a supremely confident ride by John Gleeson. The Philip Fenton-trained Shraheen defied top-weight in the €30,000 Writech Handicap Hurdle, Niall Moore's mount travelling close to the pace before seizing the initiative and holding Ad Caelum by three-quarters of a length. 'He's a fine horse, with the stamp of a chaser,' stated Fenton. 'That ground is as quick as he'd want. But I'm very pleased to win another nice pot with him. He needs to get out for a break and, all being well, will go chasing in October or November. He has a good technique over fences.'
Irish Examiner
02-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
O'Sullivan finishes with a flourish with Listowel double
Lombardstown trainer Eugene O'Sullivan left it late to make his mark on the final day of Listowel's three-day meeting, but made up for lost time with a fine double in the last two races, both owned by Jack Singleton. Bugs Moran contested the Beasley Engineering Hunters' Chase, and the eight-year-old benefited from a fine front-running ride by Mick Kenneally. A useful sort when with Noel Meade, he is lightly raced over fences and is just the type to excel in this sphere. 'He's a lovely horse to get,' said O'Sullivan. 'He's rated in the 130s over hurdles and I got him with the intention of running him in the Foxhunters but didn't have him qualified in time. 'Jumping is what it's all about, and Mick gave him a great ride. In Mallow, he made a mistake at the first, and in Killarney he made three or four mistakes, but it's just experience he needs. I'm not sure what we'll do with him yet, but I'd like to plan towards Cheltenham next year. He's not the fastest horse but he'll stay all day.' The final race of the three-day meeting was the Bryan MacMahon Bumper and Themanintheanorak made a winning track debut under a confident ride by the trainer's nephew, Alan O'Sullivan. Well-backed favourite Additional Time dropped out of contention racing down the back, leaving Angelo Dundee to trade short in running, but all the while Themanintheanorak crept into contention, and once hitting the front he won as he pleased. 'Delighted with that,' said O'Sullivan. 'He's another nice horse to have, and Alan gave him a great ride. He fell in two of his point-to-points but he's not a bad jumper, and he has plenty of scope and will improve away.' Paul Townend travelled to the meeting for two rides and also completed a double, both for Willie Mullins. In neither case was there much to concern connections, particularly with Blood Destiny, who earned a long overdue return to winning ways in the John J. Galvin Chase. At odds of 1-8, nothing but a Monday stroll was expected, and Townend ensured it was thus. In front from flag fall, he sent his mount clear down the back, and getting in close to the final fence was all that kept it interesting. 'He enjoyed it, and winning will do him the world of good,' said Townend. 'He handled the ground well enough and did what he was expected to do. The last was big when we were coming to it, just because we were getting it so easy. 'I don't know if he's going to stay going or if he'll be left off. He's not old and he has other career options, not just farming these races. He's a horse with good form, but he's just hard to win with.' La Note Verte was all the rage in the market for the Nora Canty Mares' Maiden Hurdle and the five-year-old, having her first run since winning a bumper at this meeting in 2024, also delivered for Mullins and Townend with little fuss. Available at 6-4 in the overnight market and sent off 4-7, she raced in a prominent position, went to the front early in the straight, and won readily despite patent signs of greenness. Townend said: 'She likes it around here, and it wasn't the deepest of races, but she jumped like a buck, and that's her asset. She'll have to improve on that to be competitive through the summer, but her jumping should bring her a long way.' The Tony Martin-trained Day Trader, who showed real promise on his hurdling debut but disappointed when turned out just six days later, got off the mark at the third time of asking when winning the John B. Keane Maiden Hurdle under Daniel King. The lightly-raced Patty O'Farrell has shown improved form since going handicapping and Peter Maher's mare made the breakthrough over timber when taking the Southern Waste Management Mares' Handicap Hurdle in grand style. Never far off the pace under a smart ride by Sean O'Keeffe, the seven-year-old led two out and didn't have to be fully extended to beat the staying-on Katherine. Stuntman Steve gained a much deserved second success over hurdles when taking the Join Racing TV With A Free Trial Now Handicap Hurdle. Having run well in handicaps on consecutive days at the Easter festival in Fairyhouse and again when fourth in a good race at Killarney, he was popular in the betting this time. The 11-4 favourite, which Seán Flanagan rode for Gavin Cromwell, was under pressure from a long way out but responded well and won a shade comfortably.
Irish Examiner
29-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
McCarthy doubles up at Limerick
Popular local trainer Eoin McCarthy was the toast of Limerick track when he saddled a double on Thursday night's card. Darragh O'Keeffe was booked to do the steering aboard 28-1 chance Elusive Ogie in the Connolly's Red Mills Irish EBF Auction Maiden Hurdle and he made no mistake. Despite the odds, there was no semblance of fluke about the performance. Heavily backed 1-3 favourite De Temps En Temps set out to make all but was in trouble turning for home and had to settle for third place. Owned by Denis Enright, who is a great supporter of McCarthy, the four-year-old Elusive Ogie travelled best of all and put matters to bed quite comfortably to give the rider his 15th winner of the month. McCarthy doubled up with Shadow Paddy, who proved to be the night's most popular winner when going clear close home in the Richard Egan Electrical Handicap Hurdle. Ridden by another local, Gary Noonan, the 15-8 favourite made his move widest of all but had enough in the locker to supplement his recent victory at Tipperary. 'They're a nice crowd,' McCarthy said of the Complete Package Syndicate, a group of locals who own the winner. 'He had shown a bit, but he fell apart, and they had patience with him, and it's nice to see him reward them. They love their racing and it's great to win a couple for them. We'll see how he comes out of this before making plans, but hopefully he can continue to progress." Tiernan Power Roche, who was crowned champion conditional at the end of the last National Hunt season, has continued his fine run of form into the new season, and when he guided Gatehouse Boy to victory in the first division of the McMahons Builders Providers Handicap Hurdle, it was a fourth winner in a fortnight for the 5lb claimer. Teaming up once again with Philip Rothwell, who provided the lion's share of his 29 winners last term, he rode the five-year-old with great confidence and, ending a sequence of duck eggs in his mount's form, he caused a 28-1 upset. 'Last season was a brilliant season, and the last couple of weeks have also been very good,' said Power Roche. Turning his attention to this winner, he said: 'He's a big, raw, green horse but seemed to come forward every day, and my claim was a bit of a help for him today. 'He's been a bit disappointing because his work at home has been good, so it was a bit of a headscratcher as to why he wasn't delivering. Probably, he was always going to take a few runs. I was hoping he would take another step forward today and at least be in the shake up. The race kind of fell apart and he kept going, and hopefully he'll step forward for it again.' Having finished third in two bumpers and runner-up in two previous outings over timber, Emily Love was not winning out of turn when taking the Ryan Safety & Security Mares' Maiden Hurdle. The mount of Sam Ewing, for trainer Gordon Elliott, she took over two out and stamped a bit of quality on proceedings. Danny Gilligan, who also operates out of Elliott's Cullentra House, was seen to great effect aboard You Done Well in the second division of the two-mile-three handicap hurdle. In a tight finish, he got a little extra out of Kieran Purcell's gelding to earn the four-year-old's first win, at the 11th time of asking. The success of Kiln Time in the Frankie Dunworth Memorial Handicap Hurdle was aptly beautifully executed by Cian Quirke as it signalled the end of the jockey's claim. Quirke, who is based with Andy Slattery and who finished third in last season's conditional jockeys' championship, coaxed his mount around and delivered him with superb timing to land the spoils for trainer Harry Kelly. Adam Ryan, who was on the mark aboard Sunchart on Wednesday evening in Wexford, earned another trip to the winner's enclosure by taking the mares' bumper aboard the Peter Fahey-trained Atomic Queen. Off the track since beaten a long way in a Galway bumper on her only previous starts, she picked up nicely this time to readily get the better of long-time leader Barra Rua. A half-sister to Get A Tonic, who won a point to point and four hurdles, she looks to have a bright future.
Telegraph
20-02-2025
- Sport
- Telegraph
Horse racing tips – Thursday February 20: Lingfield and Huntingdon
Our betting expert has focused on today's jump meetings at Huntingdon (1.45-4.45) and Lingfield (2.05-5.05) for his three selections. Thursday's line-up is completed by a third National Hunt card at Punchestown (1.25-5.00pm) and an all-weather Flat fixture at Newcastle (4.55-8.30). Calum Weill's selections: Odds provided by Betfair and correct at the time of writing. If you already have a Betfair account and are looking for a new bookmaker to use for this week's racing, check out our list of the best free bets. 4.05 Punchestown – Sri Lanka Awaits You Handicap Hurdle (2m 7f) Freddie Gordon's valuable 3lb claim ensures that SAN PEDRO effectively escapes having to carry top wait and a 3lb penalty for winning last time out at Plumpton 10 days ago. The eight-year-old produced a brave run that day in a conditional jockeys' race over 3m 1f, and while the jockeys Gordon faces today will have more quality, the same can't be said for their mounts, with only one of San Pedro's nine rivals having finished better than fifth last time out. There has been a bit of support for the Olly Murphy-trained Tropical Speed, but that should just ensure some value in today's nap. 1.45 Huntingdon – Advertise Your Business At Huntingdon Maiden Hurdle (2m) When CARLTON was trained by Tracy Waggott, he made his hurdles debut at Market Rasen in August, but finished out of the frame after jumping to his right throughout the race. The five-year-old son of Frankel has since moved to the yard of James Owen, who has transformed the horse on the Flat, Carlton recording a four-timer and rising 20lb in the weights. Similar improvement today plus Huntingdon's right-handed track should ensure that he makes the frame here. 2.35 Lingfield – Sri Lanka, The Wonder Of Asia Handicap Chase (2m 7½f) SUMMER IN MILAN steps up in trip on his chasing debut after just two runs at handicap hurdle level, both at Fontwell, where he came eighth over 2m 1½f in December and third over 2m 5½f last month. Trainer Chris Gordon has an excellent record at Lingfield and it looks like today's selection may have been laid out for this test of stamina over the bigger obstacles. Having placed in an Irish point-to-point race that was won by the current favourite for the County Hurdle at Cheltenham, it is very likely that Summer In Milan will relish today's conditions. Expert's tipping record
Telegraph
17-02-2025
- Sport
- Telegraph
Horse racing tips – Monday February 17: Southwell and Wolverhampton
Our betting expert has two selections from today's jumps meeting at Southwell (1.35-4.45pm) and one from the all-weather card at Wolverhampton (4.25-8.30). Monday's line-up is completed by the National Hunt fixture at Carlisle (1.20-5.05). Calum Weill's selections: Odds provided by Betfair and correct at the time of writing. If you already have a Betfair account and are looking for a new bookmaker to use for this week's racing, check out our list of the best free bets. 3.05 Southwell – Play At The Races Stableduel Maiden Hurdle (2m) Today's nap is the Ben Pauling-trained WOLF MOON, who bids to go one better than his racecourse debut last month at Southwell (2m, soft). That day he did everything but beat the 2024 German Derby winner Palladium, who is currently 16/1 for the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham and overpriced according to his trainer's recent comments. The form of that race has been boosted since by Karton Plein, who finished 18½ lengths behind Wolf Moon and a further two behind the winner, shedding his maiden tag on his subsequent outing. None of today's opponents have form that is likely to trouble a Grade 1 contender at Cheltenham so there's confidence that the week will begin with a win. 4.25 Wolverhampton – Gamble Responsibly At BetUK Handicap (1m 1½f) Our only selection from the all-weather card at Dunstall Park, FAST SOCIETY, can help trainer Andrew Balding continue the form that has brought him a 30 per cent strike-rate over the past 14 days. With two wins from three starts in novice events, the four-year-old gelding showed plenty of early promise. He hasn't yet got his head in front in two runs this winter, but his second here last time out was very promising and, notably, he currently holds a Lincoln Handicap entry for next month. As the youngest horse in this field, Fast Society has the most scope for improvement, especially with this small step up in trip from 1m 1½f to 1m ½f. 3.40 Southwell – Watch Unbridled On Handicap Hurdle (2m 4½f) OWL OF ATHENS landed a huge gamble for his connections in similar conditions last month when he recorded an eight-length victory at Uttoxeter (2m 4f, good to soft). Given his 11lb rise for that win it's understandable that there hasn't been the same market support for today's favourite, however when a horse lands a gamble of that size there is usually plenty of improvement in the tank. The form has been franked since with the Icaque de L'Isle, the third at Uttoxeter, winning on his next start at Lingfield last week.
