Leading Irish quartet recognised by awards

The connections of Irish jump racing's four superstars of 2005, Kicking King, Moscow Flyer, Hedgehunter and Hardy Eustace, all…

The connections of Irish jump racing's four superstars of 2005, Kicking King, Moscow Flyer, Hedgehunter and Hardy Eustace, all shared in a Special Achievement Award presented at Saturday night's National Hunt Awards.

The Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism John O'Donoghue presented the prizes at a ceremony in Adare, Co Limerick.

Other winners included the legendary retired trainer Paddy Mullins who received a Distinguished Award for his services to racing.

Ruby Walsh and Noel Meade won the leading jockey and trainer prizes, respectively, while Nina Carberry won the leading lady rider award for a season that included her memorable Cheltenham Festival success on Dabiroun.

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Carberry will team up with Meade for the ride on Darivan in the bumper at Kilbeggan tonight and this one should do better on the quick ground that is forecast here than he did at Tipperary last time.

Ruby Walsh is on the Michael Hourigan-trained Glacial Moss in the three-mile conditions hurdle, but, significantly, doesn't ride Church Island for Hourigan in the Beginners Chase.

Despite that horse having the experience of a course and distance run behind Fairwood Present, Walsh is on board the good handicap hurdler Barrack Buster for the Irish National winner Martin Brassil.

Feel Good Factor appeared like he would relish a more galloping track when runner-up to Tycoon Hall at Wexford and the experience of that effort should pay off in the opener.

Bothar Na managed to win at Wexford on his last start and can follow up in the hunters chase.

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor is the racing correspondent of The Irish Times. He also writes the Tipping Point column