RACING:THE MOSTLY dry recent weather may have been good for many people but it hasn't been so positive for Fairyhouse racecourse with next Wednesday's fixture switched to Tipperary due to ground conditions at the Co Meath course, writes BRIAN O'CONNOR
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“The ground hasn’t recovered since the Easter festival. Time is the issue. The weather hasn’t been kind to us, very dry and raw winds, and while we’re improving day by day, we’ve run out of time. It’s very bare out there,” said manager Peter Roe.
“All we need is a good wet weekend and we’ll be fine again for the rest of the flat season but we’ve decided to take this decision now before the entry stage,” he added.
The Turf Club confirmed the situation will be monitored for future fixtures but the fixture moved to Tipperary will have some amendments to race distances.
Won in The Dark to spoil Sublimity's final hurrah
THE 2007 Champion Hurdle winner Sublimity could be foiled in his attempt on a successful “final hurrah” at Punchestown this evening by Won In The Dark.
Sublimity will be retired after today’s conditions hurdle but faces a big job on ratings to get the better of the likely favourite.
Sentiment though will be on Sublimity’s side as the former champ was one of a golden generation of Irish hurdlers and enjoyed his finest hour when defeating Brave Inca in the Cheltenham championship four years ago.
His former trainer, John Carr, also secured a Listed success on the flat with the horse who was bought out of Michael Stoute’s yard by owner Bill Hennessy for just 32,000 guineas.
Sublimity also provided Hennessy’s son, Rob, with the first winner of his training career when scoring in the 2009 Grade One December Hurdle at Leopardstown and secured the last of his nine victories at Cork in January.
“He was my first winner as a trainer and that’s before you mention the thrill we got from winning the Champion Hurdle as owners. The horse is now 11 and has had his fair share of problems so we would love to finish up while he is still in relatively good shape,” Rob Hennessy said yesterday.
“He will spend his retirement with us and his days will be kept busy as a work partner and lead horse. It is important to keep him active because while his body might not be in the best shape, his mind is very sharp,” he added.
Napa Starr has fallen on both his starts to date over jumps but could be worth another shot in the two-mile maiden hurdle while Archie Boy can reverse Killarney form with Aran Concerto and Schelm in the conditions chase.
