Dermot Weld stressed yesterday that he was in no rush to decide about the unbeaten colt's next start.
Refuse To Bend is a 7 to 1 third favourite for the Guineas on Saturday week but after his winning return at Leopardstown, Weld said the horse could instead take the Derby Trial route in the Derrinstown.
'He is in great form and the race the last day seems to have helped him. But we are not even close to a decision. There's no hurry and we probably won't decide until a few days before the Guineas.
'It will depend on several factors including the make up of the race and the ground,' Weld said yesterday.
There were no hints at yesterday's final forfeit stage with all the big guns well represented, including Aidan O'Brien, who has the 7 to 4 favourite Hold That Tiger.
O'Brien has left in six others in the Guineas, including Tomahawk, Catcher In The Rye and Delacroix. Godolphin have five left including the 6 to 1 second favourite Lateen Sails.
The overseas challenge for the Punchestown festival highlight gathered more momentum yesterday with confirmation that Young Spartacus will run in the a160,000 Heineken Gold Cup.
The Henry Daly-trained star, winner of the Mildmay Of Flete at the Cheltenham festival after a 14 month lay-off, will be having his first start in Grade One company.
'He will run as long as the ground is not too fast. He has come out of Cheltenham very well and didn't run there last week because they hadn't had enough rain.
'It's always a worry stepping up in class but I haven't got much choice. He has to go to Punchestown,' Daly said yesterday of the 2001 Racing Post Trophy winner.
The veteran See More Business and First Gold from France are other likely starters in Wednesday's feature and Hussard Collonges from Peter Beaumont's Yorkshire yard also looks like travelling.
'The ground must be a fair bit softer than good but we're hoping he can run,' said Beaumont.
His wish appears likely to come true with the ground at the Co Kildare track currently 'good' after 9mms of rain fell on Monday.
The Punchestown director of racing, Richie Galway, said: 'We are expecting about three quarters of an inch more by the weekend and the weather is set to be unsettled over the weekend and on the run in to the festival.
'If the rain arrives I would expect the ground next week to be on the softer side of good.' British trained horses won the Heineken Gold Cup three years in a row from 1996-98 with Billygoat Gruff, Noyan and Mahler.
Tipperary hosts a mixed card this afternoon and there will be plenty of interest in the first start of Newton in the opener.
The Danehill colt was put forward by Aidan O'Brien recently as a juvenile to look out for and this pacey sort should be up to winning first time out.
In the following mile and a half handicap, Kate Emily could be the one to be on having come up against the potentially well handicapped Mr Wong at Cork.
Styler was noted running on well behind Seaforde at Leopardstown and despite top weight in the nine-furlong handicap she looks worth an interest. Barry Geraghty may yet again be the man to follow over the jumps with good looking rides on Noble Shift and Mister Kilford. Brian O'Connor
2.30 SOUTH WEST NINE - Stable in form and a promising effort last time.
3.00 FENELLA'S LINK - Maidens from this yard must always be respected.
3.30 STYLER (NAP) - Ran well at Leopardstown and stands out on form.
4.00 SAN DIEGO - Only a guess in a terrible race.
4.30 DERAWAR - An eyecatcher at Wexford last time with little to beat here.
5.00 TREVERAGH - Jockey booking should be highly significant.
5.30 MAJESTICMANOEUVERS - A rare bumper runner from these quarters.
The opened their book on the race today and they have Francois Doumen's French challenger First Gold next best at 5-1.
Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup third Harbour Pilot is 7-1 for the three mile, one furlong event along with Native Upmanship.
See More Business is the best-priced cross-channel challenger for the April 30th event, being offered at 10-1.
Heineken Cup:
5-4 Beef Or Salmon, 5-1 First Gold, 7-1 Harbour Pilot, Native Upmanship, 10-1 Colonel Braxton, Commanche Court, See More Business, 14-1 Florida Pearl, 20-1 Rince Ri, 33-1 More Than A Stroll
Odds courtesy of Cashmans
The first of seven races gets underway at 2.30pm with seven facing the starter for the opening day highlight, the Dan Moore Memorial Chase over 2m1f.
Sure to be run at a good clip given the underfoot conditions, Alcapone gets the vote to come out on top at the expense of Knife Edge and Artic Copper.
Oliver McKiernan, who has engaged British champion Tony McCoy for Winning Dream in the Powers Gold Label Irish Grand National on Monday, is represented with Star Performance in the 2m6f beginners chase.
Rated 117 over the larger obstacles he is taken to open his account at the expense of Saddlers Mark and Lord Edwards Army.
The concluding winners bumper promises to be a lively betting heat and the outcome may rest with the Willie Mullins-trained Royal Alphabet, who disappointed somewhat when only 10th behind Liberman in the bumper at the Cheltenham Festival last month.
Partnered by Wexford-native Jimmy Fortune, the 9/1 chance stormed to a one and a half length success over outsider, Lundy's Lane with favourite, Saturn only managing fourth.
The victorious son of Mukaddamah proved successful up the Curragh twice last season, easily taking the Goffs Challenge and he made all when stepped up in class in the listed Aga Khan Studs Blenheim Stakes.
This win represents another shrewd investment on the part of Peter Doyle who purchased Hurricane Alan as a yearling for a mere 13,000 guineas.
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The Cheshire Oaks is on the agenda for Jakarta Jade after making it two wins from as many outings this term in the EBF Fillies Race. 'I brought her here to see if she gets the trip, and she'll now take her chance at Chester,' said Kevin Prendergast following a hard-earned victory.
Ebatana was the well-supported odds-on favourite in this mile and a half event, and Fran Berry elected to try and make all. However she was unable to find any extra when headed by Jakarta Jade a furlong out, and McDonogh's mount was driven right out to hold off Crimphill by half a length with Final Opinion staying on well the same distance back in third.
McDonogh gave Open Handed a strong ride in the concluding 7f handicap, leading close home on the Eddie Lynam-trained 14/1 chance to touch off Lucky Largo.
There was drama on the way to the start of the two-year-old maiden when Michael Kinane parted company with Devil Moon after the 4/7 favourite was spooked by telephone wires running across the racetrack. The champion was certainly shaken by the incident but soon reunited with the Aidan O'Brien-trained youngster, who finished strongly to peg back De Tiger and Chained Emotion in a three-way photo.
'He was very green first time at Cork, and Mick said that he saw the telephone wires that run across the track and ducked under them. He would appreciate better ground,' said O'Brien.
Flamelet surprised trainer John Oxx when making a winning debut in the Junction Race, just holding off the renewed challenge of Plume Rouge by a head. 'She is a leggy, light filly and we have not asked her to do that much at home. She ran around a bit in the last 100 yards but did everything right up to that. We will see what sort of handicap mark she will get, and will try to get her some black type,' said Oxx.
There was an even bigger shock in the fillies maiden where Sissy Slew, 25/1 but paid 70.20 for a win on the To te, made a successful debut under Pat Shanahan. Dermot Weld's charge struck the front at the furlong pole, and just prevailed by a fast diminishing short-head from Bernhardt.
Curragh trainer Jim Gorman sent out his third winner of the new campaign when Fair Replacement took the sprint handicap under Tadhg O'Shea. The five-year-old gelding led over a furlong out and held on by a neck from Musical World. 'He likes an ease in the ground, and seems to be quite versatile distance wise,' said Gorman.
Alan Magee
Aidan O'Brien's Devil Moon, a costy failure after starting at odds of 1/3 for a Cork maiden over 5F bids to put that defeat behind him in the opening Munster Maiden, also over the minimum trip.
The son of Danehill looks the clear pick with newcomers Chained Emotion and Rinkie Dinkie Doo the obvious dangers.
Kevin Prendergast has in string well forward at this time of the season and Alexander Anapolis can fly the flag for the Curragh trainer in the EBF Fillies Maiden where Prayer looks the main threat.
The Junction Race has attracted a field of 12 including 4 previous winners and here Dermot Weld, who saddles two runners for the 7f contest, may have the solution with Faadhil.
On his only start this term he wasn't disgraced when 3rd under top-weight in a 9f handicap at the Curragh behind Latino Magic last month and if he can improve from that effort can defeat Gianfanti and newcomer Flamelet.
12.00AM
The former was the subject of strong support for Epsom during the week and despite having to concede 3lbs to his market rival which defeated Brian Boru in the Beresford Stakes last term, he gets the vote.
Refuse To Bend is the star attraction in the 2,000 Guineas Trail. Last season he overturned Van Nistelrooy in the National Stakes and this half-brother to Melbourne Cup hero Media Puzzle is the clear pick.
He can keep his unbeaten record intact despite the burden of his 7lb Group 1 penalty and book his ticket for the Sagitta 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket early nest month.
The 1,000 Guineas Trail has attracted a field of 11 fillies including two runners from the Aidan O'Brien yard and Jim Bolger's Feabhas is taken to land the spoils.
Mr Sneaky Boo quickened up nicely on the run-in to beat the odds-on favourite Heezapistol by three lengths in the featured Heineken Novice Chase, and the Patrickswell trainer commented, 'He's schooled well at home, and we'll probably keep him to the smaller tracks.'
Carberry moved onto the 99 winner mark for this season when getting the better of his great rival Barry Geraghty in the maiden hurdle. Royal Mirage needed a strong drive from the champion to touch off Noble Shift by the minimum margin, and could bid for a quick follow up in a Listowel handicap this weekend. 'He settled much better today, and the ground was a big help,' said Hourigan.
The Powers Gold Label Handicap Hurdle at the Fairyhouse Easter meeting may be next on the agenda for High Prospect after the Paul Nolan-trained gelding landed the Littleton Handicap Hurdle. Gary Hutchinson gave the five-year-old gelding a confident ride, although he needed to overcome a mistake at the final flight in order to beat the front-running Celio by half a length. 'The weights need to go up for him in the Powers but if they do, and he comes out of this race alright, then he'll go to Fairyhouse,' said Nolan.
On the Flat section of the card, Pat Smullen was another rider in double form when recording a 21/1 brace aboard Revue and Tara's Gift. The Dermot Weld-trained Revue was sent off the 7/4 favourite in the mile and a half maiden, and the gelding kept on well under pressure inside the final furlong to hold off Emperors Guest by half a length.
Smullen lost his whip when striking the front a furlong out aboard Tara's Gift in division two of the mile handicap, but the slip made no difference as Michael Cunningham's charge kept on well under hands and heels to beat Or D'ans by three quarters of a length. Cunningham later completed his own double when Shaiyran got the better of a thrilling finish to the mile and a half handicap, edging out Kate Emily and South West Nine by a head and a neck.
Helen Keohane has made a big impression in the apprentice ranks over the past 12 months, and the aptly named Girl Wonder provided the Cork girl with her 16th success when taking division one of the mile handicap in fine style.
The six-year-old was prominent throughout, and quickened up inside the final furlong to beat Kilbride Lad by three lengths. 'The ten furlongs was a bit too far for her at Clonmel last week, and this fast ground obviously suits,' said permit holder Dermot Murphy, who has just two horses in his care near Rathangan in County Kildare.
Francois Doumen's back-to-form chaser is the first French-trained entry for the three miles five furlongs Fairyhouse race.
Davids Lad, whose owners the Eddie Joe's Racing Syndicate recently failed in their Supreme Court appeal to have a 42-day ban incurred at Naas in February overturned, has been allotted 10st 10lbs and confirmed on course for the Easter Monday contest.
Trainer Tony Martin said: 'He definitely runs. He's in good form and definitely has a chance. Timmy Murphy will ride.'
Ted Walsh, who has 2000 winner Commanche Court (11st 7lbs) and Rince Ri (11st 3lbs) in the 170,000 euro contest, said: 'Commanche Court is only a probable at this stage but Rince Ri is a definite runner providing we get some rain. If it`s safe or better, Rince Ri will take part.'
Foxchapel King has second top weight of 11st 8lbs but his trainer Mouse Morris warned: 'If it looked like he would have to carry 12st I'd say he would be doubtful and we'd look then either at the Heineken Chase at Punchestown or the attheraces Gold Cup at Sandown.'
Sean Treacy's useful novice mare Be My Belle has 10st 4lbs and the trainer said: 'We've kept her going with nothing else in mind but the Irish National and if the ground is on the soft side of good she will run. She worked well at the Curragh today but everything depends on the weather.'
Noel O'Brien, Ireland's senior jumps handicapper, is delighted with the entries.
He said: 'I must say it`s a very high-class line- up. Having Foxchapel King, who has performed at the highest level, among the entries along with three previous winners namely Commanche Court, who finished runner-up in the 2002 Cheltenham Gold Cup, Davids Lad and The Bunny Boiler is great for the race.'
'The likes of Takagi, multiple winner Moscow Express, Barrow Drive, who ran the best race of our novices at the Cheltenham Festival, Colonel Braxton and Rince Ri help make it a real quality race. '
'The addition of recent Aintree winner First Gold is very exciting as he would be the first French-trained runner in an Irish handicap, while the British entries include a large proportion of high-class handicappers.'
There are 19 British-trained entries including Martell Cognac Grand National runners Chives, Killusty, Red Striker and Maximize, as well as Jonjo O'Neill's Sudden Shock, winner of the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
The winner travelled well throughout under trainer/jockey Swan and was completing a hat-trick on the day for owner J.P. McManus.
Striking Sound took the ten furlongs handicap in fine style, heading Dusseldorf off the home bend in the hands of dual champion apprentice Tadhg O'Shea to score by four and a half lengths.
Robbie Colgan also struck for home at the same point aboard Lorraine's Pride in the maiden hurdle, and the seven-year-old had enough in reserve to hold off the well-backed Daniels Hymn by half a length. 'I have 25 in training at the moment, although a lot of them are young horses. We had a point-to-point winner on Sunday, and they seem to be starting to fire now,' said Broad, who has been training at Kilcock for just over two years.
The Irish Stablestaff Association abandoned the parade ring as a protest demonstration prior to the mile and a half maiden in order to highlight the poor standard of catering at certain racecourses including Clonmel. The pre-parade ring was used instead of the main parade ring, and ISA chairman Dan Kirwan explained, 'There is not proper Health and Safety requirements in stable yards, although the facilities have been improved here today.'
Kirwan will meet the newly appointed chief executive of the Association of Irish Racecourses, Paddy Walsh, today in an effort to resolve the problems.
Michael Hourigan confirmed that Beef Or Salmon will revert to the Flat at the Curragh on Sunday after sending out Much Birch to land the handicap chase. 'Beef Or Salmon is fit and well. Michael Kinane will ride him at the Curragh, which will be a prep race for the Power Gold Cup at Fairyhouse.'
Crusset could make a quick reappearance at Tramore on Sunday after taking the mile and a half maiden. Seamus Heffernan sent the dual purpose gelding to the front inside the final furlong to beat Ciara's Delight by a length, and trainer Tony Mullins commented afterwards, 'That augurs well for Take Flite at Liverpool, and this horse may go to Tramore on Sunday for a handicap hurdle. I will school him over fences soon.'
The opening fillies maiden may be fought out between the powerful Curragh stables of Dermot Weld and John Oxx, with the former fancied to collect with Humilis.
The daughter of Sadler's Wells was noted staying on nicely on her debut at the Curragh recently, and can be expected to progress from that outing.
However Oxx may have the upper-hand in the 12f maiden, where Staged is taken to overcome the experienced Weld representative Revue.
Give Me Style scored in good style here last month, and has bright prospects of following up in the 2m4f handicap chase.
The concluding novice hurdle looks a match between King Carew and Caishill, with preference for the younger Frances Crowley-trained gelding. Alan Magee
