RACING NEWS ROUND-UP:BARRY GERAGHTY was in tremendous form at Kilbeggan yesterday, partnering four winners. Geraghty's initial success came on the Adrian Maguire-trained Monty Blue (Larrigy's Bar Kilbeggan Maiden Hurdle) before riding the Noel Meade-trained winning trio of Rocheford Bridge (Athlone Handicap Hurdle), Sigma Lifestyle (Hurley Family Kilbeggan Maiden Hurdle) and Parsons Pistol (Mullingar Beginners Chase).
Following his maiden hurdle win, Meade said: "We thought Sigma Lifestyle would be a very good horse at one stage but maybe bumpers took a bit too much out of him. He likes soft ground, stays well and we'll aim low on his next few starts."
The Meade treble, Geraghty four-timer was completed in the last when 4 to 6 favourite Parsons Pistol ran out a workmanlike three-and-a-half-length winner.
Meade was denied a fourth winner of his own when his Realt Dubh, under Nina Carberry, was beaten a short head by Luska Lad in the fifth race, the Sponsor A Race at Kilbeggan in 2009 Bumper.
The stewards interviewed Patrick Mullins, rider of Luska Lad, concerning the use of the whip in the later stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed the video of the race and considered the evidence, the stewards ruled that Mullins had used his whip with excessive frequency and suspended him for one race day.
CHELTENHAM Gold Cup heroes Kicking King and War Of Attrition are pencilled in for the Star "Best For Racing Coverage" Chase at Punchestown next Thursday.
War Of Attrition has been out injured since December 2006, the year of his Cheltenham Festival triumph. Kicking King, the 2005 Gold Cup winner, could bid to get his season back on track, having earlier this month fallen on his return to action at Gowran Park.
Mouse Morris, trainer of War Of Attrition, said: "Everything is fine with him at the moment, touch wood, but obviously he has been off the track for a long time.
"I have been very happy with him at home but, obviously, he will come on for the run. He has won this race twice before but I am not looking any further than this at the moment as the main thing is just to try and get him back in one piece."
War Of Attrition has twice won this two-and-three-quarter-mile challenge - most notably in 2005 when he defeated Kicking King. The Grade Three contest has attracted 13 entries, with Noel Meade well represented by Afistfullofdollars, Ballyagran and Watson Lake.
Meanwhile, Trafford Lad is on course to make his chasing debut at the same meeting. Trainer Dusty Sheehy reports the six-year-old to be schooling well at home ahead of the Buck House Novice Chase.
"Hopefully he'll get his first run of the season at Punchestown in the big novice race," said the Kilkenny handler. "He's done a lot of schooling and he's jumping very well. He's improved and has matured into himself."
Trafford Lad is already prominent in the ante-post betting at 20 to 1 for the Arkle Trophy and the Royal and SunAlliance Chase at Cheltenham next March.
He was a Grade One novice hurdle winner at Navan in December and finished third at the Cheltenham and Punchestown Festivals in the spring.
KILLYGLEN (9 to 2), trained at Larne by Roy Wilson, gained his third career success under a fine ride from Richard McGrath in the Andersons Denton Holme Ltd Beginners' Chase at Carlisle yesterday. He won a bumper at Ayr in November last year and owner David McCammon said: "I knew he could do it, he is a gem. He was always going to be a chaser, he jumps for fun and when Richard won on him at Ayr, he said he would go on and win a big race."
Killyglen took up the running going to two out in the two-and-a-half-mile test. However, the race was far from over and he had to dig deep for McGrath to hold off Tot O'Whiskey and High Bird Humphrey by half a length and a length.
Star De Mohaison may return to action over hurdles at Haydock at the Betfair Chase meeting on November 22nd. The injury-plagued seven-year-old, whose only run since December 2006 came over the smaller obstacles at Cheltenham on New Year's Day, has resumed training at Paul Nicholls' stable.
"Star De Mohaison is back in training and going well. It's just fingers crossed," said Barry Simpson, racing manager to owner Robert Ogden.
Simpson also reported chasing stars Voy Por Ustedes, trained by Alan King, and Jonjo O'Neill's Exotic Dancer to be on course for their seasonal debuts.
"Voy Por Ustedes will probably go to Aintree for the Old Roan Chase later this month.
"Exotic Dancer might go for the same race, we are delighted with him."
Roscommon's Flat meeting on Monday and jumps fixture on Tuesday have been cancelled due to waterlogging.
