HRI Review
Racing Review
Hurricane Fly Returns With A Bang At Leopardstown
All eyes were on the returning Champion Hurdler Hurricane Fly in the featured Grade 1 BHP Insurance Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown on Sunday and Willie Mullins’ stable star exceeded all expectations, producing a stunning winning performance. Ridden by Ruby Walsh, the eight-year-old travelled with ease and sprinted away from his opposition in the straight to record an easy 6½ lengths success, consolidating his position at the top of the two-mile hurdle ranks. Mullins and Walsh also took the spoils in the Grade 2 Synergy Security Solutions Novice Hurdle, teaming up with the highly-promising Boston Bob to take the spoils by an impressive 2¼ lengths. The other Grade 1 on the card was the Frank Ward Solicitors Arkle Novice Chase and it produced an impressive winner in the shape of the Peter Casey-trained Flemenstar, with Andrew Lynch’s mount powering away to record a 19 lengths success.
Big Day For The Walsh Family At Leopardstown
The Walsh family had a red-letter day at Leopardstown on Saturday, completing a notable double that included the valuable Leopardstown Handicap Chase with Seabass. Trained by Ted Walsh and ridden by his daughter Katie, the progressive nine-year-old made all the running and overcame a close encounter with a loose horse prior to forging away to record a 7½ lengths success. Ted went on to complete a memorable double just 30 minutes later courtesy of the win of the Mark Walsh-ridden Colbert Station in the Ryan’s Event Cleaners Beginners Chase. The main event on the day was the Boylesports.com Hurdle and it produced a thrilling finish with the Jessie Harrington-trained Citizenship being delivered with an extremely well-timed challenge by Robbie Power to claim the spoils by 1¼ lengths.
Hoban Doubles Up At Dundalk
Conor Hoban took the individual honours on Friday evening’s card at Dundalk, securing a notable brace. The promising apprentice opened his account in the Irish Stablestaff Association Awards March 3rd 2012 Handicap, delivering the Mick Halford-trained Lord Kenmare with a well-timed challenge to run out the 1¼ lengths victor. His double was completed in the concluding Winter Racing At Dundalk Handicap, with him giving the Charlie Swan-trained Tribes And Banners a strong ride to get the better of Mutasareb by a head.
Mullins In Charge At Gowran Park
Willie Mullins continued his dominant form at Gowran Park on Thursday, saddling the winners of the two most valuable races on the card. The pick of those wins came in the featured Goffs Thyestes Handicap Chase, with the David Casey-trained On His Own taking up the running with seven fences to jump and being in control a long way out, eventually coming home 13 lengths in front. Mullins’ other win came in the Grade 2 John Mulhern Galmoy Hurdle, with the Ruby Walsh-ridden Zaidpour getting the better of a tactical battle with Voler La Vedette, beating off the strong challenge of that rival by a length.
Declan Queally Stars At Limerick
Declan Queally had a day to remember at Limerick on Wednesday, completing a double that included a notable family success. Queally opened his account on Lisrose in the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Mares Maiden Hurdle, a win made all the more sweet by the fact that the daughter of Beneficial is trained by the rider’s father, Declan Queally Senior. Queally Junior completed his brace in the concluding Adare Mares INH Flat Race, riding the James Dullea-trained Scrapper Jack to an authoritative 3¼ lengths success.
Racing News
Black Caviar Remains Unbeaten In Australia
Australian superstar Black Caviar notched her 17th straight victory with the minimum of fuss in the Australia Stakes at Moonee Valley on Friday. The great mare is second to Frankel in the official worldwide ratings and little difficulty stretching clear of Zedi Knight for a very easy win, narrowly failing to lower the track record despite not coming under any real pressure. The dream is that she turns up at Royal Ascot in June to take on the best Europe has to offer.
Oscar Time Out For The Season
Last season's John Smith's Grand National runner-up Oscar Time has been ruled out for the season with a leg injury. Following a creditable run over hurdles at Thurles in November, trainer Martin Lynch had been looking forward to another crack at the world's most famous steeplechase, but he will now not be making the trip across the Irish Sea after suffering a minor tendon injury.
Upcoming Fixtures
Down Royal – Wednesday 1st February (First Race 1:05)
Clonmel – Thursday 2nd February (First Race 1:45)
Dundalk – Friday 3rd February (First Race 6:20)
Fairyhouse – Saturday 4th February (First Race 1:30)
Punchestown – Sunday 5th February (First Race 1:20)
