Curragh Plays Host To Opening Of Flat Season

The Curragh Racecourse plays host to the opening of the 2006 Flat Racing Season on Sunday next with the Group 3 Park Express Stakes Stakes and Ladbrokes.ie Irish Lincolnshire, the twin features on a competitive eight-race programme.

A total of 16 fillies and mares have been entered for the Park Express

Stakes and most notable among them are Chenchikova, Tropical Lady and the British trained duo of Bahia Breeze and Manbala. Chenchikova, a full sister to duel Derby winner High Chaparral and one of three Aidan O'Brien entries for the one mile contest created a very favourable impression when winning a Tipperary maiden on her sole start to date and is highly regarded by the Ballydoyle team. Prolific winner Tropical Lady is the highest rated among the 16 entries and always gives of her best at this venue. Manbala meanwhile landed a Group 3 in Italy late last year, while duel scorer Bahia Breeze adds further spice to the 100,000-euro contest.

Tolpuddle, winner of the Ladbrokes.ie Irish Lincolnshire in 2004 and Victram, successful in the prestigious contest 12 months ago, are set to face each other in this year's renewal of the 85,000-euro contest. The pair are among the 41 entries, which also includes the Phillip Rothwell trained duel all weather winner Arturius, Bobs Pride, course winner Alone He Stands and sole British challenger Chrysander, trained by Mick Channon.

The Jim Bolger trained Sandie proved to be one of the most consistent

fillies in training last year and she has a choice of engagements in either the Unicorn Homes Handicap over 5 furlongs or in the 7 furlongs Unicorn Homes Madrid Handicap. Mick Channon has entered Malapropism for the former contest, while Salute Him represents him in the latter event.

While last seasons leading trainer Aidan O'Brien is without an entry in the opening juvenile contest of the season, the Tally Ho Stud Maiden, the Ballydoyle maestro is well represented in the Unicorn Homes Maiden with Amadeus Mozart, Chief Crazy Horse and Rol'over Beethoven.

Nina Carberry and Katie Walsh have been the two outstanding amateur riders of the season and the pair are set to continue their great rivalry in the final of the Rockview Bumper Series, while the Mongey Communications Maiden will bring proceedings to a close on what promises to be an exciting day of flat racing action.