Cheltenham

• Fire-Fighting On The Cheap
• 6th, Sep

The famous American oil-rig fire-fighter Red Adair’s standard response to queries about his prices was: “If you think it is expensive to have a professional do the job, wait until you use an amateur.” So what then might the long term cost be of having Ireland’s multi-million euro racing industry mostly policed by amateurs? Let’s be [...]

• A Hard Look In The Mirror
• 30th, Aug

On Saturday next we are going to have what is usually one of the world’s top flat races on our doorstep at Leopardstown, a perfect opportunity for Irish racing to puff its chest out and invite the outside world for a peep at why we think the game is kinda cool. Instead of which the [...]

• Who’d Want To Go To Kentucky?
• 23rd, Aug

Those groans of relief from punters who backed Rip Van Winkle to win last week’s Juddmonte International must have been replaced by rather different groans when it was revealed the Breeders Cup Classic could be the colt’s end-of-season target. We’re hardly talking recidivism here but there seems to be a rare compulsion at Coolmore/Ballydoyle to keep [...]

Injured Jockeys

• F Lawlor - Stood down for a heavy concussion and facial injuries following a heavy fall at Down Royal Fri, 28th May
• J M Allen - Fractured his wrist and dislocated his shoulder following a heavy fall at Wexford Fri, 2nd Jul
• D G Hogan - Dislocated his shoulder following a heavy fall at Kilbeggan Fri, 16th Jul
• A P Cawley - Dislocated his shoulder following a heavy fall at Killarney Thu, 19th Aug
• J R Barry - Fractured his pelvis in a horrific fall at Killarney Thu, 19th Aug
• S Foley - Fractured ankle and collarbone in a fall at Bellewstown Wed, 25th Aug
• W J Supple - Fractured collarbone in a schooling incident Thu, 26th Aug

Suspended Jockeys

• R P Whelan - Four day whip ban (hit mount after chance had gone) at Wexford, starts Fri, 10th Sep

Down Royal

Friday

• 4.10 Catalpa Sail Disappointing running back quickly last time and not drawn too far from the rail in stall 7 here.
• 4.40 Bobskier The only winner in the field and has to have a big chance here with a talented claimer taking 7Ibs off her back.
• 5.10 Blue Cannon Locally-owned and no surprise should he prove up to the task.
• 5.40 Daisy Mountain Top jock booked and if the money comes watch out.
• 6.10 Myrine Was very impressive at Wexford.
• 6.40 High Cian Good apprentice booked and a big performance seems likely.
• 7.10 Alpine Glade Comes here off a good hurdle success and has an eye-catching pilot booked to ride.