The new meeting will take place on June 24th and details of the races will appear in this weeks Irish Racing Calendar.
In the event of racing going ahead, starting stalls will not be in operation.
The going is soft to heavy.
------ =_NextPart_000_01C31DEF.5E1612C0 Content-Type: application/ms-tnef Content-Transfer-Encoding: base64
eJ8+IgAJAQaQCAAEAAAAAAABAAEAAQeQBgAIAAAA5AQAAAAAAADoAAEIgAcAGAAAAElQTS5NaWNy b3NvZnQgTWFpbC5Ob3RlADEIAQ2ABAACAAAAAgACAAEEkAYA0AEAAAEAAAARAAAAAwAAMAIAAAAL AA8OAAAAAAIB/w8BAAAATwAAAAAAAACBKx+kvqMQGZ1uAN0BD1QCAAAAAGlyc2ZlZWRAaXJpc2gt cmFjaW5nLmNvbQBTTVRQAGlyc2ZlZWRAaXJpc2gtcmFjaW5nLmNvbQAAHgACMAEAAAAFAAAAU01U UAAAAAAeAAMwAQAAABkAAABpcnNmZWVkQGlyaXNoLXJhY2luZy5jb20AAAAAAwAVDAEAAAADAP4P BgAAAB4AATABAAAAGwAAACdpcnNmZWVkQGlyaXNoLXJhY2luZy5jb20nAAACAQswAQAAAB4AAABT TVRQOklSU0ZFRURASVJJU0gtUkFDSU5HLkNPTQAAAAMAADkAAAAACwBAOgEAAAADAHE6AAAAAB4A 9l8BAAAAGQAAAGlyc2ZlZWRAaXJpc2gtcmFjaW5nLmNvbQAAAAACAfdfAQAAAE8AAAAAAAAAgSsf pL6jEBmdbgDdAQ9UAgAAAABpcnNmZWVkQGlyaXNoLXJhY2luZy5jb20AU01UUABpcnNmZWVkQGly aXNoLXJhY2luZy5jb20AAAMA/V8BAAAAAwD/XwAAAAACAfYPAQAAAAQAAAAAAAACCGUBBIABAAsA AABXRUIgUkVQT1JUANoCAQWAAwAOAAAA0wcFABMACgANADgAAQBCAQEggAMADgAAANMHBQATAAoA CwAiAAEAKgEBCYABACEAAABBQjA5NTgyNTg2MUJDMzExQkZGRUVFNkJGQkFCMkVFRACZBwEDkAYA vAcAACAAAAALAAIAAQAAAAsAIwAAAAAAAwAmAAAAAAALACkAAAAAAAMANgAAAAAAQAA5AKCmqvnm HcMBHgBwAAEAAAALAAAAV0VCIFJFUE9SVAAAAgFxAAEAAAAWAAAAAcMd5vmqxL75qoeBEde3JIdO 8H9BFwAAHgAeDAEAAAAFAAAAU01UUAAAAAAeAB8MAQAAABkAAABwZmluZWdhbkBpcmlzaC10aW1l cy5jb20AAAAAAwAGELjG9N0DAAcQjQAAAB4ACBABAAAAZQAAAFBXRDpQT1JUQVJMSU5HVE9OSEVB RExJTkU6Uk9TQ09NTU9OR09FU0FIRUFEVE9OSUdIVFNNRUVUSU5HQVRST1NDT01NT05HT0VTQUhF QURBU1BMQU5ORURGT0xMT1dJTkdBTkkAAAAAAgEJEAEAAACtBAAAqQQAAOwKAABMWkZ1jkH21AMA CgByY3BnMTI1cjIMYGMxAzABBwtgbpEOEDAzMw8WZmUPkk8B9wKkA2MCAGNoCsBzhGV0AtFwcnEy AACSKgqhbm8SUCAwAdCFAdA2D6AwNTA0FCHzAdAUEDR9B20CgwBQA9T7Ef8TC2IT4RRQE7IY9BTQ rwcTAoACkQjmOwlvMBrf+mUOMDUcCh0hHN8d6Rv0/x4SHH8gTyANH48dvxwPEGD8Mjgl2ibxJq8n uRv0J+K/Jk8qHyndKV8njytUOQ5QHy6kMAEoIzAAAoJzdHlqbAeQaAngdAAAA/BkGGN0bAqxAGBk anVzMXAFEGdoBUIWMgwBY4cJwDJAAzBzbmV4FzAvB7AFsADAAnNzAFBzYpYyFFAxYGET8FxrCeC+ cAuQMjgIYDJwC4BlMaD+djfgAUAy2wwwM6QoADaAmwSgC4BnJ/E0JmJhFxB+ZAIgNOA0hjHQMtA6 ESD+MTEzDlA13zbvN/MAUTh8/wCgM646/zwGMSQPwD0PPh+/N/MOUDhvQM9B3zwzMwKCPRMQYzWg SKEy0DwwdGmJOBAgRAEQYXVsBUAKUArAYQnAYXBoII5GAiE1ZCVAZmktD5BeOAFAN7BNMzI4Ygsg cs8JUE6SFqBOknc0JUEXAP5wAdBKcjL/R59IpkzQS5AbBRACMC1MMANhOiBUQm9T8FN1YmoFkHRB U/BEYXRlOjVkNv9M/04PTx9QLjHAPCMOIUihbzk2DlBRr1K+UjgBFwEg7kg8EQSQNWQ3Va9Wv1fP v0ihN49ZPw+QZDAI0GIKsPx0OEb6D1RD0Fs/XEZkwPNdUAtQeS9MQFgwCxFdxf5zNWQoAF6/X89g 31A/UU/fZt9n6lQSU7RU6TkyL21FHWRzOW2fbq9z4ERvY351B4ACMAXQTAAaAXISb+53clBrUQGA blRwAGAJ8N9KoHZAAgE1IFnSZQDwdkAlMYBwHoBcdgiQd2v9C4BkZgB54gTwB0AQYQFA3w4AayI8 AntFAhBvBUIXIRsS8lUAbQtRVQAgQzrUXFxTQG9L4W1MMAMQmweQffBNDeADYHNvAYBcIE8BIA3g eTBcf6ZF6wDAAxAuSHB0dxAXEHJQ2zRhYjJ4AUB4QW4x0Brwe4FESzRjAyAS8wCABZBs/nY/YUSQ DnA1IIPSAZAAIP+EYnoxdoEBwYPRFuAPcAAA50SQDNABkCAuGhKDyA5Q/4SCS3AysIT/hg+HHw/A RJBvBYGIv4nPit9sZgBEkGz3iH+NP45FKYdMJUCMH5D/8Y40YiAoApGSH4QTVZD/j8+Uj5Wflq+E QF6Ql/KEz/+ZX5pvh0woAJf/nX+ej5+f/4RAcgCcf6IPox+kJAr5AzCHci9tXzRRe1BXRFPwznAJ EQrAYjFndAIgCoUASEVBRExJTkU/U/AIAATwA3AEYAOgR2/9B5FBPAIKhQqFVBADAKrhficEIAeA FyA8QlTwrklnva8CYTwCsYAEIAtRbjSg+zRgAhBsCQAD8LFiA6ALgMtsgFSRaa7BdGgEALEA+wWw OgIur50x0LJRPEK1Yed/U60QO/J2ebYGqOSpr0WqtXu4pn0AALuwAAAAAwAQEAAAAAADABEQAQAA AAMAgBD/////QAAHMEDe16TmHcMBQAAIMEDe16TmHcMBCwAAgAggBgAAAAAAwAAAAAAAAEYAAAAA A4UAAAAAAAADAAKACCAGAAAAAADAAAAAAAAARgAAAAAQhQAAAAAAAAMABYAIIAYAAAAAAMAAAAAA AABGAAAAAFKFAAB0EAAAHgAlgAggBgAAAAAAwAAAAAAAAEYAAAAAVIUAAAEAAAAFAAAAOC4wMgAA AAADACaACCAGAAAAAADAAAAAAAAARgAAAAABhQAAAAAAAAsAL4AIIAYAAAAAAMAAAAAAAABGAAAA AA6FAAAAAAAAAwAwgAggBgAAAAAAwAAAAAAAAEYAAAAAEYUAAAAAAAADADKACCAGAAAAAADAAAAA AAAARgAAAAAYhQAAAAAAAB4AQYAIIAYAAAAAAMAAAAAAAABGAAAAADaFAAABAAAAAQAAAAAAAAAe AEKACCAGAAAAAADAAAAAAAAARgAAAAA3hQAAAQAAAAEAAAAAAAAAHgBDgAggBgAAAAAAwAAAAAAA AEYAAAAAOIUAAAEAAAABAAAAAAAAAB4APQABAAAAAQAAAAAAAAADAA00/TcAAI4c
------ =_NextPart_000_01C31DEF.5E1612C0--
The 2-1 favourite, trained by Aidan O'Brien and ridden by Michael Kinane, won by 11 lengths - a record for the Group One race over the straight mile.
Where Or When (7-2) was a distant second with Olden Times third. Only six ran as Duck Row was a non-runner and Desert Deer refused to go into the stalls.
The Curragh trainer has already notched up a classic victory this season with Refuse To Bend in the 2,000 Guineas, his 17th career classic, but hopes are growing that Miss Nashwan might add to that despite a lacklustre effort in her last race.
Miss Nashwan was five to four favourite for a Listed race at Navan 11 days ago but flopped and finished seventh out of eight.
'The only thing I can put that down to is the ground which was very heavy that day at Navan and she couldn't handle it.
'At the moment it's reported good in Milan which should suit her as she won on good to firm in Italy last year as a two-year-old. Pat Smullen will ride,' said Weld.
Mutakarrim will represent Weld in next week's Savel Beg Stakes at Leopardstown, leaving the double Irish Leger winner and last year's Savel Beg victor, Vinnie Roe, on the sidelines for the time being.
'As I've said before I intend to give the horses that came back from Australia last year more time,' he reported.
Another Irish horse likely to be in Group One action this weekend is Hawk Wing who has been left in both Saturday's Lockinge at Newbury and also the Prix d'Ispahan at Longchamp.
Aidan O'Brien has left in both Yesterday and L'Ancresse, his two star fillies, in the Prix St Alary on Sunday, the main trial for the French Oaks.
Looking ahead to the Curragh's Group One action on Sunday week, the Mooresbridge Stakes winner Nysaean is reported to be on target to return to Ireland for the Tattersalls Gold Cup.
The Curragh authorities also said yesterday that David Elsworth's Indian Creek is a possible for the race.
The return to form of the Willie Mullins string has been dramatic in recent weeks and the trend can continue at the trainer's local track this evening.
A total of four successes at the Punchestown festival, including two Grade ones, confirmed that Mullins has turned the corner from the sickness that hampered most of the 2002-03 season.
One of those Punchestown winners, Rule Supreme, takes a drop from the €90,000 festival pot to the two-and-a-half-mile conditions chase at Gowran tonight but his 142 rating makes a good argument for a follow up.
Behind Rule Supreme in that Punchestown race was his stable companion Killultagh Thunder and afterwards Mullins was keen to point out how well that horse had run considering some mistakes he had made.
Killultagh Thunder goes in the second division of the Beginners Chase and can end a good fixture for Mullins who also has the high class but disappointing Alexander Milenium in the opener.
Bodakker tries to conclude an 11-day hat-trick in the handicap hurdle. The horse is 12lbs higher for a course win but in the meantime followed up at Ballinrobe and appears in excellent form.
The first division of the Beginners Chase looks the more open contest with the 114 rated Beausheram and the Jim Dreaper trained Cherry Hunter looking to be strong contenders.
Michael Hourigan however is another trainer in form and his Moss Bawn has always looked a type to improve for the graduation to fences.
Rockstown Boy followed up a Limerick success with a decent sixth to Royal Rosa in the Champion Bumper at Punchestown and should be one to follow in the second maiden hurdle. Brian O'Connor
During a media open day at Ballydoyle on Monday, O'Brien expressed satisfaction with Brian Boru's third to Alamshar in the Derrinstown Derby Trial.
He was also quoted as saying that the object was in 'trying to get Brian Boru to do the right thing, rather than winning the race.'
He also reportedly said that a battle with Alamshar was 'the last thing we wanted.'
These comments were highlighted by the specialist trade paper, the Racing Post, yesterday.
As a result the Turf Club chief executive Denis Egan said: 'We will take another look at the video and we will probably ask Aidan to elaborate on his comments. We will decide then if we need to hold an official enquiry.'
Brian Boru finished a head and two and a half lengths behind Alamshar and The Great Gatsby on Sunday, giving both 5lbs on his first start of the season.
Jockey Seamus Heffernan used his whip a number of times on the colt and the running and riding of Brian Boru was not examined by the racecourse stewards.
Yesterday O'Brien declined to comment on the matter.
The Turf Club also moved yesterday to give the popular Kilbeggan track a licence to race for this year. That licence had been withdrawn on April 28th after the infield ambulance road failed an inspection.
The decision, taken after another inspection on Monday, means Kilbeggan will after all be able to race on its next date, May 26th.
'There have been substantial improvements to the problem areas that were bumpy and it is safe,' said Egan.
However, following the June 23rd meeting, the road will again be inspected to ensure the present satisfactory standard is being maintained.
O'Brien will be hoping for more positive news at Gowran Park this evening and if the pattern is anything to go by he should get it in the first seven furlong race of the year for two year olds.
O'Brien has won it for the last four years including with the subsequent Group 1 victors Spartacus and Landseer.
Tonight the Danzig colt Antonius Pius has just three opponents and will clearly be hard to beat.
Dermot Weld gives Prominent Feature another crack at losing his maiden tag in the second division of the maiden and the colt should be a lot happier than when only fifth to Fontanesi on very soft going at Naas.
The first division looks good for Alisar who should improve significantly on a fourth to Dalcassian at the Curragh on his only start to date.
Blue Corrig was fancied to score on his last start at Tipperary but found Doire-Chrinn too good. The Crowley runner can go one better in the nine furlong handicap.
Crimson Flower is on a hat-trick following a Wexford success on the flat and a victory at the Punchestown festival. The eight-year-old can do it too in the Ladies Handicap. Brian O'Connor
Danehill, the sire of last season's brilliant miler Rock Of Gibraltar, was responsible for both Clodovil and Catcher In The Rye, who were first and second respectively in last Sunday's French 2000 Guineas.
Danehill was the leading sire of Pattern-race winners in Europe last year with 13 winners of 24 races, knocking another Coolmore inmate, Sadler's Wells, off top spot after a reign of six consecutive years.
The most prolific of his winners was Rock Of Gibraltar, who won five times at Group One level in the colours of Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson.
Danehill was a stud phenomenon in Australia before he achieved star status in Europe, siring top-class horses from the start of his shuttle career in New South Wales.
He had a season in Japan in 1996, but on his return to Coolmore began to produce results in Europe just as outstanding as those on the other side of the world.
He was even better at stud than on the racetrack, where he won four of his nine races including a Group One victory in the Sprint Cup at Haydock Park. He was also third behind Nashwan in the 2000 Guineas.
He will need to show dramatic improvement in the four weeks before his big date on June 7 if he is to follow in Sinndar´s footsteps, and unimpressed bookmakers eased his price in the ante-post betting for the Classic.
It was the Aidan O´Brien-trained 9-1 shot The Great Gatsby who gave Alamshar most to do, proving a tough nut to crack at the finish.
Having been headed just over a furlong out by the winner, The Great Gatsby rallied with determination and went down by just a head to the 8-15 favourite.
The pair finished two and a half lengths ahead of O´Brien´s apparent first string, Brian Boru.
'I am not disappointed at all given the way his preparation has gone this week,' said Oxx, who reflected on the problems caused by a small abscess on the colt´s near-hind leg, which appeared during the week.
'On Thursday we weren´t going to run at all, but by Friday things were looking better,' he explained.
'I came here half-expecting to get beaten, but thinking he might just scramble home, and that is what he has done. He scrambled.
'He didn´t miss any work but he just wasn´t striding out fully and it was obvious things weren´t quite right.
'He will need to improve for this run if he is going to win the Derby, but there is every chance he will do.
'Please God, we will just have a clearer run on the way to his next race than we did this week. 'I couldn´t compare him with Sinndar, although Sinndar did only win this race by the same sort of distance.'
Aidan O´Brien refused to be downheartened by the performance of Brian Boru who, having headed the ante-post Derby betting through the winter, is now starting to plummet down the lists.
'I don´t think he ran a bad race at all,' he said. 'He was fresh and keen and the pace was a bit slow for him.
'Obviously I am pleased with The Great Gatsby, and they will both be considered for Epsom.
'Alberto Giacometti ran well in France (third in the Prix Lupin) and he is still a possible for Epsom, as is Hold That Tiger, who didn´t run his true race at Newmarket. He is on a break now but it is possible he will go for the Derby.
'Just in the last few days they are starting to run well again.' O´Brien and Oxx may have been satisfied with what they saw, but the bookmakers were hardly dazzled.
Sagitta 2000 Guineas winner Refuse To Bend hardened as favourite for Epsom and is now as short as 9-4 with William Hill, who along with Ladbrokes offer Alamshar at 9-2. Ladbrokes, interestingly, kept Brian Boru at 6-1 as O´Brien juggles his options for the big race.
Oxx and Johnny Murtagh would have fancied their chances of a double in the following Derrinstown Stud 1000 Guineas Trial, where they saddled Flamelet.
But Kevin Prendergast struck with 11-2 chance Cat Belling, who scored by a head from Flamelet in a driving finish.
Murtagh lodged an objection over alleged interference at the hands of the winner, but the stewards left the placings unaltered.
Prendergast also saddled favourite Rainbows For All in the race, but that filly trailed home last and will miss the Curragh Classic for which this race was a warm-up.
'The rain has come just in time for her,' he said of the winner.
'She needs an ease in the ground as she is a big old filly - she looks like a chaser. She has been working well and we might as well go for the Guineas with her.'
O´Brien´s team did at least enjoy one success as expensive purchase Handel ran out an impressive winner of the mile-and-a-half Carrickmines Maiden.
The Sadler´s Wells colt scored as an odds-on favourite should, beating Rayshan by four and a half lengths.
'He was still very green when he straightened up and if he keeps progressing then I am sure he will turn into a lovely horse,' said the trainer.
'We will look at the Silver Stakes, a Listed race over a mile and a quarter at the Guineas meeting.'
The John Oxx-trained colt failed by half-a-length to peg back the front- running Aidan O'Brien second string Balestrini in the Ballysax Stakes over this 10 furlongs.
But he is 7-2 joint favourite with Sagitta 2000 Guineas winner Refuse To Bend for the premier Classic at Epsom next month following that eye- catching run.
Oxx, who sent out Sinndar to take this Group Tow prize and the Derby in 2000, will saddle Masandam as pacemaker in the 86,000 euro contest.
Oxx said today: 'We'll find out a bit more after the next race, we'll see if he's up to it but he's got to keep improving.
'Every time Sinndar went out he was 7lb better than the last run.
'It was a nice run by Alamshar last time, we went home happy. He got a bit tired, blew up and then ran on well.
'We were worried something strange might happen because we didn't have a pacemaker and decided to follow Mick Kinane (on Alberto Giacometti).'
The second of Alamshar's two successes last season came in the Juddmonte Beresford Stakes at the Curragh when he accounted for Brian Boru by a head.
The O'Brien-trained Brian Boru seeks revenge on his seasonal debut on Sunday but he has to give Alamshar 7lb because of his Group One win in the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster last October.
Seamus Heffernan takes the ride on Brian Boru as stable jockey Michael Kinane will be on duty at Longchamp.
O'Brien also runs The Great Gatsby, fourth to Brian Boru at Doncaster, in the Derrinstown, while the six-runner line-up is completed by Cozzene's Honor and Napper Tandy.
There are no O'Brien runners in the Derrinstown Stud 1000 Guineas Trial but Oxx has Flamelet in the Group Three contest over a mile for which five fillies were declared.
The James Given-trained gelding was skilfully extricated from an unpromising position with a circuit to run by McKeown, who weaved through to be perfectly placed on the home turn.
Once unleashed, Hugs Dancer lengthened his stride to cut down Knavesmire Omen inside the final furlong and then hold the challenge of the unlucky favourite Big Moment, who did not have the clearest of runs off the home turn, by half a length.
Given's confidence in the gelding's chance had been boosted by two bits of work he had done.
He said: 'He worked at Southwell, and although he hated the sand, he beat Crow Wood, who won at Doncaster on Monday.
'Then we took him to Ripon and he again worked well, even though he does not handle the soft - and he was the same weight as when he won the Ebor last year, so we were hopeful!' The Gainsborough trainer added: 'He has been improving all the time and the handicapper keeps putting him up, so we will have to look for higher targets. He is in the Yorkshire Cup next week, but that might come a bit soon.
'People say we are tilting at windmills, but he is in the Ascot Gold Cup (10 to 1 from 20 to 1 with Coral) too, and that is a target. He is a proven stayer and few horses stay as well as he does - he is an immensely proud horse to have around the yard.'
Given, who trains Hugs Dancer for David Maloney and Graham White, went on: 'He is so tough. When he ran in the Cesarewitch, he had given so much when winning the Ebor that Dean said he was running on empty for the last five furlongs but he still stayed on to finish fifth.'
McKeown (43) has no thoughts of retiring and no wonder as he is riding as well as ever, and he was doubly delighted as he was instrumental in Hugs Dancer being bought out of the Michael Stoute stable.
He explained: 'He is not the best horse I have ridden, but he is my favourite -- Declan O'Shea tipped me off about him and I advised Enn Reitel to buy him - and I have been associated with him ever since.
'I think he is one of the most versatile horses in training. He won the Cumberland Plate over a mile and a half at Carlisle and then he was beaten only a length in the Northumberland Plate, and after that the Ebor was always going to be a formality - and he has won over two miles five furlongs!'
McKeown went on: 'I know I am not going to get many good ones to ride from now on. Him and Tedburrow are the main two and they are both highly rated now - Hugs Dancer was off 93 today and I suppose the handicapper is going to put him up to a hundred, so I suppose we will have to win something like the Ascot Gold Cup'!
A visit to the dentist awaits Hammiya after she gave her trainer Marcus Tregoning back-to-back wins in the UPM-Kymmene Cheshire Oaks.
The filly, who had lost a tooth when banging her head on the stalls at Beverley on her previous outing, reopened the wound when she did the same thing again before the start of this Listed prize.
But it did not put the brakes on the 9 to 1 chance as she flew fast and late to land the spoils under Willie Supple.
The daughter of Darshaan was held up off the pace in the initial stages and she had to produce a telling turn of foot down the outside of the pack to land the race.
Favourite Halawanda had moved into the lead over a furlong out but had no answer to the winner's challenge and went down by one and a quarter lengths.
The Jim Bolger-trained Snippets was a further two lengths away in third place and did not get the clearest of runs. Jockey Kevin Manning had to sit and suffer on the inside before extricating the filly in the last couple of furlongs. But the winner had flown at that stage.
Tregoning was reluctant to commit Hammiya to the Vodafone Oaks, the race in which last year's Cheshire Oaks winner Shadow Dancing was third. 'She might really need another race as she lacks a bit of racing experience, but it will depend upon what Sheikh Hamdan wants to do,' he said. 'This was only her third run, although you'd have to be pleased with the way she quickened up and saw out the trip.
'If we don't go to Epsom then there are plenty of races later in the year = for nice fillies like this one.' The Lupe Stakes at Goodwood in a fortnight's = time could represent the ideal opportunity for the filly to put some more miles= on the clock before next month's Epsom Classic. It could come too soon but tw= o weeks might be all right. We will have to see,' said the trainer.
'We always thought a lot of her. That's why she made her debut in what is normally a very hot maiden at Goodwood. But it was a big step up from a maiden at Beverley to this and I am very pleased with her.'
Supple, who came in for the ride through the suspension of Hamdan Al Maktoum's first-choice jockey Richard Hills, was suitably impressed. 'You couldn't ask for any more than she did today,' he said. 'I am sure Sheikh Hamdan will decide whether she is ready to go for something like the Oaks or whether he has other fillies in mind for that race.' If Hammiya is to go to Epsom, connections will have to supplement her.
The Aga Khan's filly Halawanda, on the other hand, is already entered for the Vodafone Oaks. 'I think she would appreciate a more galloping track than this - it was the first time that she had really been in a race, so she should come on for it too,' said racing manager Pat Downes.
Trainer-in-form Clive Brittain extended his purple patch in the opening Bank of Scotland Handicap as Santando did favourite-backers a good turn. Champion jockey Kieren Fallon was hard at work on the 7 to 4 chance from a long way out but the winner kept responding and just did enough to beat 20 to 1 chance Crathorne by a head.
Another trainer celebrating was Preston-based Eric Alston, who enjoyed a local success with No Grouse in the Tess Graham Memorial Handicap.
Native Scout gets the vote in this seven runner event having competed against the best novice company last winter and put up a creditable effort in the Grand Annual Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
Camden Tanner is switched to fences after twice travelling to Britain for top class handicap hurdles, while Jurado Express adds further spice.
There are just four declared for the opening juvenile race, and perhaps Curragh runner-up Wathab can put his experience to good use against the Aidan O'Brien-trained newcomer Haydn (by Stravinsky).
John Murtagh has strong claims in both Flat handicaps, with Cat Five in the 12f event and Lincoln fourth Be Patient also one to the note in the following 9f race.
John Oxx's colt, who was second to Balestrini in the Ballysax Stakes on his reappearance, is one of three entries for Oxx who also has Alisar and Masandam in the race.
Alamshar could face Balestrini again here as the colt is one of 15 entries from the Aidan O'Brien yard.
The Ballydoyle stable have also entered Alberto Giacometti, who was third in the Ballysax, Brian Boru and Some Kind Of Tiger. Their strong possible challenge also includes Arundel, Catcher In The Rye, Dalcassian, Delacroix, Fontanes, France, Gianfanti, Handel, Meadow Hawk, Roosevelt and The Great Gatsby.
Dermot Weld is another to have a multiple entry, headed by Sagitta 2,000 Guineas winner Refuse To Bend. The others are Evolving Tactics, Faadhil, Miss Nashwan and Prominent Feature.
There are two British-trained entries in the race with Richard Hannon's Tacitus and Mark Johnston's Jebel Suraaj.
A total of 29 fillies have been entered for the Derrinstown Stud 1,000 Guineas Trial.
Hannon's Summer Spice is the only British-trained entry while O'Brien again has a strong entry including Sagitta 1,000 Guineas disappointments Yesterday and L'ancresse, as well as Shangri La and In The Limelight.
Two British-trained entries could line-up in the Listed Amethyst Stakes over a mile. Paul Cole has entered Cornelius while Lincoln winner Pablo is in the race for Barry Hills.
Kieren Fallon followed up his Sagitta 1,000 Guineas success on Russian Rhythm 24 hours earlier with an 83 to 1 treble on Cape Fear, Millafonic and Topkamp at Kempton yesterday.
The last-named was arguably the most impressive of the trio, finding a telling burst in the final furlong of the EBF Fillies Conditions Stakes to overhaul Camlet.
Topkamp (5 to 2) had suffered from slow starts in previous outings, but broke on terms with her seven rivals, and then found a gap over a furlong out through which to make her challenge and nail Camlet, who had made the running, 100 yards from home.
Fallon just missed out on a four-timer when failing by a short head on 7 to 4 favourite High Point to peg back Got One Too in the concluding Rynardt Be Lucky Handicap.
Racing goes ahead at Naas where the going is soft and at Down Royal where the ground is good.
------ =_NextPart_000_01C312ED.237DC520 Content-Type: application/ms-tnef Content-Transfer-Encoding: base64
eJ8+IhQJAQaQCAAEAAAAAAABAAEAAQeQBgAIAAAA5AQAAAAAAADoAAEIgAcAGAAAAElQTS5NaWNy b3NvZnQgTWFpbC5Ob3RlADEIAQ2ABAACAAAAAgACAAEEkAYA0AEAAAEAAAARAAAAAwAAMAIAAAAL AA8OAAAAAAIB/w8BAAAATwAAAAAAAACBKx+kvqMQGZ1uAN0BD1QCAAAAAGlyc2ZlZWRAaXJpc2gt cmFjaW5nLmNvbQBTTVRQAGlyc2ZlZWRAaXJpc2gtcmFjaW5nLmNvbQAAHgACMAEAAAAFAAAAU01U UAAAAAAeAAMwAQAAABkAAABpcnNmZWVkQGlyaXNoLXJhY2luZy5jb20AAAAAAwAVDAEAAAADAP4P BgAAAB4AATABAAAAGwAAACdpcnNmZWVkQGlyaXNoLXJhY2luZy5jb20nAAACAQswAQAAAB4AAABT TVRQOklSU0ZFRURASVJJU0gtUkFDSU5HLkNPTQAAAAMAADkAAAAACwBAOgEAAAADAHE6AAAAAB4A 9l8BAAAAGQAAAGlyc2ZlZWRAaXJpc2gtcmFjaW5nLmNvbQAAAAACAfdfAQAAAE8AAAAAAAAAgSsf pL6jEBmdbgDdAQ9UAgAAAABpcnNmZWVkQGlyaXNoLXJhY2luZy5jb20AU01UUABpcnNmZWVkQGly aXNoLXJhY2luZy5jb20AAAMA/V8BAAAAAwD/XwAAAAACAfYPAQAAAAQAAAAAAAACCGUBBIABAAsA AABXZWIgUmVwb3J0ALoDAQWAAwAOAAAA0wcFAAUACgAAABAAAQD/AAEggAMADgAAANMHBQAFAAkA OAAGAAEALAEBCYABACEAAAAxNTA5RDNBQzNEMEFDMzExQkZGRUVFNkJGQkFCMkVFRACqBwEDkAYA 7AcAACAAAAALAAIAAQAAAAsAIwAAAAAAAwAmAAAAAAALACkAAAAAAAMANgAAAAAAQAA5AIB8Vb/k EsMBHgBwAAEAAAALAAAAV2ViIFJlcG9ydAAAAgFxAAEAAAAWAAAAAcMS5L9MTEGZrnY5Ede3JIdO 8H9BFwAAHgAeDAEAAAAFAAAAU01UUAAAAAAeAB8MAQAAABkAAABwZmluZWdhbkBpcmlzaC10aW1l cy5jb20AAAAAAwAGEAg+VI8DAAcQwAAAAB4ACBABAAAAZQAAAFBXRDpQT1JUQVJMSU5HVE9OSEVB RExJTkU6Q09SS0NBTExFRE9GRlRPREFZU01FRVRJTkdBVENPUktIQVNCRUVOQ0FOQ0VMTEVERFVF VE9XQVRFUkxPR0dJTkdGT0xMT1dJTkcAAAAAAgEJEAEAAADgBAAA3AQAACQLAABMWkZ1YzYH1AMA CgByY3BnMTI1cjIMYGMxAzABBwtgbpEOEDAzMw8WZmUPkk8B9wKkA2MCAGNoCsBzhGV0AtFwcnEy AACSKgqhbm8SUCAwAdCFAdA2D6AwNTA0FCHzAdAUEDR9B20CgwBQA9T7Ef8TC2IT4RRQE7IY9BTQ rwcTAoACkQjmOwlvMBrf+mUOMDUcCh0hHN8d6Rv0/x4SHH8gTyANH48dvxwPEGD8Mjgl2ibxJq8n uRv0J+K/Jk8qHyndKV8njytUOQ5QHy6kMAEoIzAAAoJzdHlqbAeQaAngdAAAA/BkGGN0bAqxAGBk anVzMXAFEGdoBUIWMgwBY4cJwDJAAzBzbmV4FzAvB7AFsADAAnNzAFBzYpYyFFAxYGET8FxrCeC+ cAuQMjgIYDJwC4BlMaD+djfgAUAy2wwwM6QoADaAmwSgC4BnJ/E0JmJhFxB+ZAIgNOA0hjHQMtA6 ESD+MTEzDlA13zbvN/MAUTh8/wCgM646/zwGMSQPwD0PPh+/N/MOUDhvQM9B3zwzMwKCPRMQYzWg SKEy0DwwdGmJOBAgRAEQYXVsBUAKUArAYQnAYXBoII5GAiE1ZCVAZmktD5BeOAFAN7BNMzI4Ygsg cs8JUE6SFqBOknc0JUEXAP5wAdBKcjL/R59IpkzQS5AbBRACMC1MMANhOiBUQm9T8FN1YmoFkHRB U/BEYXRlOjVkNv9M/04PTx9QLjHAPCMOIUihbzk2DlBRr1K+UjgBFwEg7kg8EQSQNWQ3Va9Wv1fP v0ihN49ZPw+QZDAI0GIKsPx0OEb6D1RD0Fs/XEZkwPNdUAtQeS9MQFgwCxFdxf5zNWQoAF6/X89g 31A/UU/fZt9n6lQSU7RU6TkyL21FHWRzOW2fbq9z4ERvY351B4ACMAXQTAAaAXISb+53clBrUQGA blRwAGAJ8N9KoHZAAgE1IFnSZQDwdkAlMYBwHoBcdgiQd2v9C4BkZgB54gTwB0AQYQFA3w4AayI8 AntFAhBvBUIXIRsS8lUAbQtRVQAgQzrUXFxTQG9L4W1MMAMQmweQffBNDeADYHNvAYBcIE8BIA3g eTBcf6ZF6wDAAxAuSHB0dxAXEHJQ2zRhYjJ4AUB4QW4x0Brwe4FESzRjAyAS8wCABZBs/nY/YUSQ DnA1IIPSAZAAIP+EYnoxdoEBwYPRFuAPcAAA50SQDNABkCAuGhKDyA5Q/4SCS3AysIT/hg+HHw/A RJBvBYGIv4nPit9sZgBEkGz3iH+NP45FKYdMJUCMH5D/8Y40YiAoApGSH4QTVZD/j8+Uj5Wflq+E QF6Ql/KEz/+ZX5pvh0woAJf/nX+ej5+f/4RAcgCcf6IPox+kJAr5AzCHci9tXzRRe1BXRFPwznAJ EQrAYjFndAIgCoXLXdJiMjoIUHJrfcAHQB8xoDRgf6EKhVQQZGF5/icEIAeAFyA8QlTwfcCuUqsW 4AQgYgnhIHrQbn/g1a6zZApQIK0QIGhQVQD7a1B+MGc8QgIQrrB3YDxC4TwBdnkgb11xAwCq4ttL wAuALgqFCoVSANA8QjRnbweRYTwCsJJOYf2xMXeCcrKAMdC2wTxCBADeIH9TAHC3Y3YwdwOgCADu eQdAt/oDYHW5kbkBttBfBHC1dqjkqa+qtXu8Nn0CAL8wAwAQEAAAAAADABEQAQAAAAMAgBD///// QAAHMMBSDCrkEsMBQAAIMMBSDCrkEsMBCwAAgAggBgAAAAAAwAAAAAAAAEYAAAAAA4UAAAAAAAAD AAKACCAGAAAAAADAAAAAAAAARgAAAAAQhQAAAAAAAAMABYAIIAYAAAAAAMAAAAAAAABGAAAAAFKF AAB0EAAAHgAlgAggBgAAAAAAwAAAAAAAAEYAAAAAVIUAAAEAAAAFAAAAOC4wMgAAAAADACaACCAG AAAAAADAAAAAAAAARgAAAAABhQAAAAAAAAsAL4AIIAYAAAAAAMAAAAAAAABGAAAAAA6FAAAAAAAA AwAwgAggBgAAAAAAwAAAAAAAAEYAAAAAEYUAAAAAAAADADKACCAGAAAAAADAAAAAAAAARgAAAAAY hQAAAAAAAB4AQYAIIAYAAAAAAMAAAAAAAABGAAAAADaFAAABAAAAAQAAAAAAAAAeAEKACCAGAAAA AADAAAAAAAAARgAAAAA3hQAAAQAAAAEAAAAAAAAAHgBDgAggBgAAAAAAwAAAAAAAAEYAAAAAOIUA AAEAAAABAAAAAAAAAB4APQABAAAAAQAAAAAAAAADAA00/TcAAO4r
------ =_NextPart_000_01C312ED.237DC520--
Pat Smullen had Dermot Weld's colt handily placed towards the centre of the track just off the pace and he launched his telling bid for glory entering The Dip.
He was challenged immediately by Hurricane Alan and Tout Seul but dug deep into his reserves to repel the rivals.
His work was not over though as both Zafeen (33/1) and Norse Dancer (100/1) charged at him late but he would not be denied and lifted the Classic by three parts of a length and a head.
Aidan O'Brien's Hold That Tiger was notably weak in the market before the race and that was reflected on the track as he folded tamely when the tempo quickened.
1 Refuse To Bend (P J Smullen) 9-2 2 Zafeen (S Drowne) 33-1 3 Norse Dancer (P Robinson) 100-1
The Nashwan filly shaped well on the opening day of the Flat season at the Curragh when runner-up to Wrong Key in a mile Listed event.
She will be suited by this step up to ten furlongs having finished strongly last time, and can take this en route to a crack at the Italian Oaks.
Weld and stable jockey Pat Smullen may also be on the mark earlier in the day with Peratus in the five furlong Coolmore Spinning World Maiden.
She justified a rating of 81 when a creditable fifth to Fly Haia in a sprint handicap at Cork a fortnight ago, while Weld may also have the answer to the 5f handicap with Gold Chaser.
Follow beat all bar Miss Childrey on her debut at Cork, and Aidan O'Brien's charge looks the one to beat in the 2yo fillies maiden.
Alan Magee
All the early running had been cut out by Ted Walsh's Commanche Court but when the 9-10 favourite Sacundai moved up ominously well on the home turn, the race looked sure to be his.
Norman Williamson took up the running on the favourite but Shay Barry produced a beautifully-timed run on the Willie Mullins-trained winner approaching the last.
Holy Orders, a 6-1 shot, pinged the last and ran on strongly to deny Sacundai by half a length.
=93I just couldn't believe how he put his head down and battled so well,=94=
said Mullins.
=93I thought he'd arrived soon enough to challenge. He ran his heart out today so I don't think we will run him again tomorrow in the Champion Hurdle.
=93We might look at the French Champion Hurdle, which is over three and a quarter miles. I should have had this horse over three miles long ago.=94
Sent off the 4/11 favourite, the Champion chaser made just one mistake but sadly for his supporters, it proved to be a costly one as at the second last fence, as his error gave Barry Geraghty no chance of staying in the saddle.
Flagship Uberalles, himself the winner of the Champion Chase in 2002, had just improved to throw down a challenge when he was left clear to win for Philip Hobbs and Richard Johnson.
Punters suffered earlier blows with the first two favourites of the afternoon crashing out under jockeys Ruby Walsh and Barry Geraghty.
Walsh was stood down for 48 hours after being unseated from the gambled-on 11/4 favourite Shady Lad at the second obstacle in the Kildare Hunt Club Chase over the cross country course.
He lay on the ground for some time but walked to the waiting ambulance and was taken to Nass General Hospital for x-rays on his skull and neck.
Those x-rays showed there was nothing amiss with the former Champion jockey and he was recuperating at home within two hours of his fall.
Dr Walter Halley, the Turf Club's Medical Officer, also had news of the sidelined Paul Carberry. 'He is unfit for riding and the situation will be reviewed before racing on Thursday,' he said.
The opener was won by the Ross Geraghty-ridden Native Beat who had just asserted over Clanwick Connection when that rival crashed out at the final fence.
Barry Geraghty took his first fall of the afternoon when short-priced favourite Barrow Drive hit the deck six fences from home in the 2m4f novice chase.
A heavily backed 11/10 favourite, Barrow Drive's exit eased the task of Heart Midoltian who added to his impressive success at Fairyhouse with a four length win from Paul Nicholls' Joly Bey.
Runaway Cheltenham winner Back In Front followed up in the Grade 1 novice hurdle with a two and a half length win over sole English-challenger Limerick Boy.
Back In Front bucked the trend of losing favourites when hitting the front befor e the last and running on to score in good style.
Trainer Edward O'Grady said, 'We will wait and see but I would like to run him on Friday in the Champion Hurdle.'
There was a spectacular pile-up in front of the stands in the mares bumper with no fewer than 11 horses and riders ending up on the ground.
The only reported injury was suffered by Patrick Murphy, rider of Calder River, who was taken to Naas Hospital suffering from left-sided chest injuries and mid-back pain. He will undergo a full x-ray investigation this evening.
Blue Away, the only runner out of the handicap in the 2m4f hurdle, prevailed in a tight finish to win from Horner Rocks and Formal Bid.
Backed from 20/1 to 14/1, the 5yo won by a head to give trainer Pat Hughes his second successive win in the race.
Kieran Kelly and Dessie Hughes combined to win an eventful 28-runner handicap chase with Whats The Score. Only 11 finished the race.
There are eight declared for this two mile Grade 1 test, and Moscow Flyer is sure to start at short odds following his impressive Queen Mother Champion Chase success at Cheltenham.
Jessica Harrington's stablestar is opposed again by Flagship Uberalles and Latalomne, while the Martin Pipe-trained Tresor de Mai completes the British challenge.
The Evening Herald Champion Novice Hurdle is the other Grade 1 event of the afternoon, and it also supplies a hot favourite with Back In Front.
The 6yo looked something special in the Supreme Novices Hurdle, and should have little difficulty extending his winning sequence against Aintree victor Limerick Boy.
The jackpot pool is guaranteed for €60,000, and the other two legs will be tough to solve with Greywell suggested in the 2m4f handicap hurdle and On The Hour in the valuable fillies bumper. Alan Magee
The decision comes following the commotion surrounding a meeting at Listowel earlier this month.
Listowel's management gave the going as good to yielding when it proved to be good to firm the following day, resulting in a record number of non-runners and a complaint from the Irish Racehorse Trainers Association.
Desmond said: 'The Association has taken great offence at the implication contained in the Turf Club statement that only the Grade 1 tracks are capable of issuing accurate going reports.
'There is absolutely no justification for implying that all the managers of the other 18 tracks are not competent to issue accurate going reports and we would expect an immediate retraction.
'The introduction of the new procedures without any detailed consultation was also somewhat disappointing. We have written to the stewards to express our dissatisfaction and to seek an urgent meeting to discuss the issues involved.'
