Sport Horse Racing

Sunday 16 December 2018

Romain De Senam can sneak place from bottom of weights

Terrence Murphy, an American poker writer, also known as VP Pappy, once said: "A gambler never makes the same mistake twice. It's usually three or more times."

Jockey Ruby Walsh and trainer Willie Mullins. Photo: PA

Mullins and Walsh to make it an Easy Game

Punting is a tricky game at the best of times but the usual suspects of Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh are the men to follow tomorrow when they combine with the aptly-named Easy Game in the Grade Two Navan Novice Hurdle (12.30).

Synopsis, with Richard Johnson up, on the way to winning the Mares’ Handicap Chase for Gordon Elliott at Cheltenham. Photo: PA

Synopsis bounces back for Elliott at Cheltenham

Gordon Elliott's Synopsis defied top weight in the Mares' Handicap Chase at Cheltenham yesterday.

Trainer Enda Bolger. Picture credit: Matt Browne / Sportsfile

Bolger hopes 'Josies' can seal high five around Cheltenham

Josies Orders will be bidding for a fifth Cheltenham win in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase for Enda Bolger today.

Trainer Jessica Harrington. Photo: Matt Browne/Sportsfile

'Sizing' pleases Harrington but she warns he has 'long way to go'

Jessica Harrington was satisfied with Sizing John's performance in a gallop at the Curragh on Tuesday.

Laurina, with Paul Townend up, jumps the last on the way to winning the Mares Novice Hurdle Championship Final at Fairyhouse in April. Photo: Sportsfile

Laurina faces test of Hurdle credentials

Laurina puts her Champion Hurdle credentials on the line against older horses in Saturday's International Hurdle as she returns to the scene of her emphatic course and distance success at the Cheltenham Festival.

Top man: Shane McCann, pictured here on Samcro, is held in high regard by Gordon Elliott. Photo: ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

Elliott's faith in shrewd 'Judge' continues to bear fruit for stable

It's no coincidence that Shane McCann has been closely associated with the two most high-profile horses to take residence in Gordon Elliott's yard in recent seasons.

Sizing John steps up comeback bid with Curragh visit

Trainer Jessica Harrington. Photo: Sportsfile

Sizing John steps up comeback bid with Curragh visit

Sizing John will step up his preparations for a Festive return when Jessica Harrington's star chaser makes a visit to the Curragh today.

Min, with Ruby Walsh up, jumps the last on the way to winning the John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Min and Mullins' top two-milers will avoid monster Altior if at all possible

"The target is to avoid Altior, wherever he goes we'll go in the opposite direction," were the somewhat tongue-in-cheek words of Ruby Walsh following Min's smooth John Durkan Chase success at Punchestown yesterday which summed upped another informative weekend.

Townend now sits on top of the champion jockey’s table with 66 winners. Stock photo: Getty Images

Townend dazzles with Cork four-timer

Title-chasing Paul Townend was the star of the show at Cork with a brilliant 275/1 four-timer, which included the Grade Two Hilly Way Chase thanks to the impressive victory of Castlegrace Paddy.

'Tornado' fails to create storm on jumps bow, but only way is up

Tornado Flyer looks set for bigger things following his solid if not spectacular debut over jumps in the Punchestown Racecourse Of The Year Maiden Hurdle.

Min, with Ruby Walsh up, on their way to winning the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Steeplechase at Punchestown Racecourse in Naas, Co. Kildare. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Watch: Willie Mullins' Min too strong for his rivals in the John Durkan Chase at Punchestown

Min showed admirable battling qualities to make a winning return to action in the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase at the Naas track.

Nico de Boinville riding Altior. Photo: Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images

Altior produces his best to take Tingle thriller

Altior survived a heavy downpour and a determined Un De Sceaux to extend his winning streak to 15 in the Betfair Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown yesterday. Nicky Henderson's star was unproven...

Joseph O’Brien and Derek O’Connor after Edwulf won the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown. Photo: Sportsfile

O'Connor renews his Edwulf link

On Tuesday night, Derek O'Connor was presented with a Horse Racing Ireland Award for the ride of the year, after guiding 'miracle horse' Edwulf to an unlikely victory in the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown last February.

Altior ridden by Nico De Boinvile on the run up to the finish to win The Betfair Tingle Creek Chase during day two of the Betfair Tingle Creek Christmas Festival at Sundown Park Racecourse, Sandown. John Walton/PA Wire

Watch: Altior remains unbeaten over obstacles after lowing Un De Sceaux's colours in Tingle Creek classic

Altior survived a heavy downpour and a determined Un De Sceaux to extended his winning streak to...

Defi Du Seuil, ridden by Barry Geraghty, jumps the last on their way to winning the Heavitree Brewery PLC Novices Chase at Exeter yesterday. Photo: Getty

Short-priced Altior can live up to the hype

Some older readers will remember the horse Tingle Creek, which died aged 30 in the mid 1990s. I was reading through some old newspaper reports and watching a few videos of the chaser from the...

Patrick Mullins aboard Un De Sceaux on their way to winning The BoyleSports Champion Steeplechase at Punchestown in April. Photo: Sportsfile

'Sceaux' hasn't lost fire ahead of tactical Tingle test

Tingle Creek was a Halley's Comet of a horse. He won five races in America, breaking the Belmont track record, before coming across the ocean and winning 23 races in seven seasons, never falling.

Big hopes: Rachael Blackmore. Photo: Sportsfile

Balko can help Blackmore add another string to her bow with Grade One win while 'Field' can flourish

Grade one success has still managed to elude Rachael Blackmore despite her remarkable rise...

Jacob: Any of the four could win Tingle Creek

Rarely has a four-runner race attracted as much intrigue as tomorrow's Betfair Tingle Creek, and Daryl Jacob sees no reason why the mighty Altior cannot be dethroned in the race of the season...

The 2016 Tingle Creek winner makes his seasonal debut having capped another extraordinary season with his ninth Grade One success at Punchestown. Stock photo: Getty Images

Un De Sceaux set for showdown with Altior

Un De Sceaux and Altior look set for a tantalising showdown in Saturday's Tingle Creek at Sandown with Willie Mullins expected to confirm the evergreen 10-year-old for the prestigious Grade...

'Gordon Elliott also has seven entries, with Cheltenham Festival heroine Shattered Love seemingly a likely runner' Photo: INPHO/Dan Sheridan

'Percy' ready to test Gold Cup credentials in Durkan return

Presenting Percy is set to make his seasonal reappearance in the John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown on Sunday.

Davy Russell looks to the heavens after victory on Presenting Percy at Cheltenham. Photo: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Presenting Percy tops 19 contenders for the John Durkan Chase at Punchestown this weekend

Presenting Percy is set to make his seasonal reappearance in the John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown on Sunday.

Family affair: Luke and Philip Dempsey after Dinnie’s Vinnie victory in the Porterstown Handicap Chase at Fairyhouse. Photo: Caroline Norris

Popular Dempsey still defying the odds to make his mark

There was no racing history in Philip Dempsey's family growing up but not even a misbehaving ass which kept sending him into the neighbour's hedge as a child could quench his love for horses.

Gordon Elliott’s string during their morning gallop yesterday – the trainer has his eyes on the €1.4m prize up for grabs at Leopardstown. Photo: Dan Sheridan/INPHO

Elliott eyes Mullins' crown as bandwagon rolls into Leopardstown

Gordon Elliott is not one to stand still for long or twiddle his thumbs - as every journalist seeking a post-race quote knows only too well - and that's clear to see upon entering Cullentra House Stables.

Apple’s Jade, with Jack Kennedy up, on their way to winning the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse yesterday. Photo by Matt Browne/Sportsfile

Apple's so sweet for Elliott as wonder mare secures hat-trick

The song's name may not be apt but the lyrics "if you're gonna do it, do it right" from Wham's 1980's smash hit 'I'm Your Man' perfectly summed up the scintillating brilliance of Apple's Jade at...

Buveur D’Air and Barry Geraghty after their victory in Saturday’s Fighting Fifth Hurdle. Photo credit: Richard Sellers/PA Wire

Samcro staying over hurdles despite proving no match for Buveur D'Air

There will be no U-turn on the decision for Samcro to spend this season over hurdles despite proving no match for Buveur D'Air when second in Saturday's Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle, according to...

Discorama and Bryan Cooper win at Naas last month. Photo: Patrick McCann/Racing Post

Discorama just might get Nolan back in the spotlight

He has seen too much to be comfortable with talk of a renaissance, but Paul Nolan is looking forward to having a Grade One runner again.

Gordon Elliott: ‘No excuses’. Photo: Sportsfile

Buveur D'Air towers over Samcro

Gordon Elliott was impressively succinct after seeing his hurdler Samcro routed by Buveur D'Air in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle yesterday. What does Samcro need if he is to find at least eight lengths on the winner in the Champion Hurdle in March? "A miracle," Elliott said, and he is...