RACING THURLES REPORT:CARRIGEEN LECHUGA may be aimed at the Irish Grand National after landing her second success under Rules in the space of a fortnight at Thurles yesterday.
The multiple point-to-point winner was sent off at 15 to 8 in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Novice Chase, and made every yard of the running.
Conceding weight to all bar Special Token, Dick Lalor’s seven-year-old jumped well throughout under the trainer’s daughter, Liz, and kept up a relentless gallop to draw five lengths clear of Ballinahow Lady.
Lalor said: “She’s getting better and better and would like a bit nicer ground. The ground today was even worse than the last day and she laboured on it. The further the better for her, and the last few furlongs really played to her strengths.
“She could go next for the Grade Three Dawn Run Mares Chase at Limerick, and the Irish National could also be a possible target.”
The Oliver McKiernan-trained Whatdoyousay was another never to be headed as he took the Horse And Jockey Handicap Chase at odds of 12 to 1. King Of Ardcarne and Paddy O Dee tried to challenge after turning in but they both made a mess of the last, leaving Tom Doyle’s mount to coast home.
Inis Meain (5 to 2) gained a deserved first success over obstacles in the Holy Cross Maiden Hurdle. Beaten a head by Lamb Or Cod when returned to timber earlier in the month after two spins at Dundalk, Denis Hogan’s charge survived a bad blunder two out to beat Charming Ways by 11 lengths.
Snow Spell (5 to 1) got the better of Luke’s Benefit and stable companion Buck Breeze in a driving finish to the Prime Beef Handicap Hurdle. Tom Foley’s grey mare finished nearer last than first on her handicap debut at Leopardstown but bounced back to form with a half-length triumph.
Paul Carberry, who fractured his collarbone in a skiing accident last month, will not be back in action this weekend as previously hoped but expects to be back race-riding within the next week.
The former champion jump jockey reports his collarbone has healed well but is having discomfort with the flare-up of an old injury. “I was with Paddy Kenny yesterday and got an injection for bicep tendonitis. It affects my shoulder and the pain then runs down the arm,” said Carberry.
Two-time British champion Flat jockey Paul Hanagan has been named as Richard Hills’ successor as retained rider for Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum. Hanagan will take up his new role when Hills retires on Dubai World Cup night on March 31st.
