BLACK QUEEN, a remarkably well fancied Ladbroke Hurdle runner with punters who bet on the Tote - she was their second favourite - whereas the off course punters had a half a dozen ahead of her on the afternoon when the on course Leopardstown bookmakers were on strike.
She came within a head of justifying their confidence, losing out to the well handicapped English runner, Master Tribe. The professionals did not fancy her because they believed that she needed further than two miles, and doubtless a larger share of them will betting on her this time round when she makes her first run since the Ladbroke in the Sutherland River Handicap Hurdle over two and a half miles at Fairyhouse tomorrow.
She ran off a mark of 106 last time, and now the handicapper, taking cognisance that she was six lengths clear of Penny A Day (3rd) has raised her by 7lb in the ratings.
Racereaders watching the re run of the video took note that the fastest finisher in the Ladbroke had been Metastasio, not in the first dozen at the third last flight. Up the straight he passed a string of rivals to finish fifth and confirmed this run by a sweet five lengths victory over Magical Lady and Clifdon Fog in the two miles and three furlongs Celbridge Handicap Hurdle at Naas a fortnight later.
The finish here could concern this pair, and Black Queen, if in the same good shape as she was fix weeks ago, could emerge the winner.
Digin For Gold carries the colours of the former Turf Club senior steward and Racing Board chairman Denis McCarthy in the Tolka River Maiden Hurdle. He has been competing against top novices and it was no disgrace to be beaten by a horse of the calibre of Humbel on his last visit to Fairyhouse. I make him the bet of the day, even if there are 30 declared runners for this event.
In his riding days, Alan Lillingston won the Champion Hurdle on the one eyed Winning Fair, a masterful triumph for a small Co Tipperary stable, that of George Spencer. Alan, who also figures prominently in the Turf Club, trains a few horses for himself and one of these, Master McCartan, despite being recently opposed in the ring by David Hyland at Naas, cantered home a 15 lengths winner.
The class of that race was modest but, such was his authority, that he can manage to cope with the superior company in the Tom Dreaper Handicap Chase. He fills the stamp of the sort of chaser that Tom himself would have appreciated.
The European Breeders Fund Novice Handicap Chase is a Grade Three event worth £15,000. Ted Walsh had a good winner at Punchestown last Sunday with Commanche Court, and his Papillon, who found the two miles of the I.A.W.D. Novice Chase much too short for his talents, could be another Sunday winner for him.
Minella Hotel, trained by John J. Nallen, can advertise the family enterprise by winning the bumper. He was beaten just over two lengths when fourth first time out at Navan to Rockfield Leader.
