Davids Lad, winner of the Irish Grand National in 2001, looks set to miss the Aintree equivalent on April 5th after his run in yesterday's Paddy & Helen Cox Memorial Newlands Chase attracted the attention of the Naas stewards, writes Brian Fleming.
The ante-post second favourite for the big Martell-sponsored event at Liverpool never threatened the principals racing towards the rear throughout and eventually trailed in last of seven finishers behind winner Arctic Copper.
The Stewards took a dim view of the effort and fined trainer Tony Martin 1,000, suspended rider Timmy Murphy for 7 days and suspended the horse for 42 days after the local officials deemed that the racecourse had been used as a training ground.
As things stand this effectively rules him out of the English National at Liverpool but Martin said on leaving the racecourse . 'I was happy with the ride and after consulting the owners (Eddie Joe's Racing Syndicate) will consider an appeal. Timmy could have been more forceful, I suppose, but he knows the horse best and felt he couldn't cope with the soft ground from six out.'
Victory in the two-mile race went to the Grand Alliance Racing Club-owned money-spinner Arctic Copper after he prevailed by half-a-length at the expense of Fadoudal Du Cochet.
'I've never got a thrill out of a horse winning for a long time,' said Meade of the nine-year-old, who was led in by former senator Liam Cosgrave, one of 17 members in the syndicate which also includes several prominent Government figures.
'He had won about 50,000 before today and now this prize of 39,000 so I'm thrilled for his owners. He'll go to Cheltenham for the Mildmay Of Flete (20/1 from 22/1 Paddy Power) next,' Meade concluded.
Earlier, Rosaker, a three-time winner on the flat in Dubai, added another string to his bow over timber when he captured the Woodlands park 100 Johnston Novice Hurdle to initiate a double for the Carberry/Meade alliance.
After Carberry forged the 8/1 shot past front-running Mossy Green on the run down to the final flight to land the spoils by two lengths, winning trainer Noel Meade remarked, 'I was surprised he was 8/1 as he worked very well the other day and usually when one of ours works well they usually start favourite.'
The Newmarket October Sales purchase is well regarded by the Navan handler but is unlikely to travel to Cheltenham, 'Fairyhouse or Punchestown would look more likely at this stage and he'll be a better horse on better ground, I'd say.'
Willie Mullins showed for the third time in four days that his string are beginning to rekindle their old sparkle when Nobody Told Me made a winning debut over hurdles in the opener, the Carlow trainer's third winner in four days.
'He was only rated 63 on the flat but he's a different kettle of fish over hurdles,' said Mullins, who also revealed, ' this was probably one of the sickest horses in the yard over the winter but he made a great recovery. '
Successful also with Cheltenham-bound bumper contenders Mr Babbage and Davenport Democrat in recent days, Mullins issued an upbeat bulletin on his string when he remarked, ' They are definitely better in themselves at home.'
Al O'Connell's Glens Music has become something of a course specialist at Naas and she notched up her fifth success at the venue when coming out on top in an incident-packed Anglo Irish Bank Nas Na Riogh Novice Chase. Only four finished including well supported runner-up Eskimo Jack, who blundered his chance away with a horrible mistake at the seventh.
True Blue Victory defied top-weight under Ruby Walsh to win the Naas Supporters Handicap Hurdle and earned a 20/1 quote for the County Hurdle with Cashmans while light-weight Property Partners was left in front when Back To Bolgers tragically came to grief at the last in the 3m handicap hurdle.
His exit left Sam Curling, successful in the opener aboard Nobody Told Me, to come home unchallenged to complete an 84/1 double.
Racing concluded with Edward O'Grady's John Oliver justfying good support under Philip Fenton in the finale.
