Racing: Willie Mullins is considering the holiday options for Davenport Milenium, who put himself firmly back in the Champion Hurdle picture with his run behind Rigmarole in last weekend's Bula Hurdle at Cheltenham.
"Davenport Milenium has come out of that very well and I will certainly be entering him at Leopardstown (December Festival Hurdle), Kempton (Christmas Hurdle) and in the Cleeve Hurdle a few days after Christmas. I would imagine he will run in one of those and I will see how things go before then. He ran at Kempton last year and I will certainly enter him in that again," the Co Carlow-based trainer said yesterday.
Saturday's Bula run was Davenport Milenium's second since returning from injury and other Mullins-trained stars could start on the comeback trail over Christmas. Both Florida Pearl and Alexander Banquet, who have dominated the Hennessy Gold Cup in four of the last five years, have made speedy progress and may be ready for return.
"They are a fair bit behind and they will be far from fighting fit but they could be ready to run at Leopardstown in the Ericsson," Mullins said.
There was a look ahead to the 2004 classics yesterday when Boylesports bookmakers announced their sponsorship of the Irish 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas until at least 2006. They take over from Hibernia Foods.
Boylesports also announced that if one jockey wins both classic races, they will donate €10,000 to the injured jockeys fund. The firm will also donate a minimum of €5,000 to the fund to mark the beginning of their sponsorship.
Just two riders have ever managed the double, Joe Canty in 1946 and Martin Quirke in 1929, but Aidan O'Brien has brought off the training double twice with Black Minnaloushe and Imagine in 2001 and Desert King and Classic Park in 1997.
The new Guineas sponsors believe O'Brien has the most likely 2,000 Guineas winner next year, making One Cool Cat their 11 to 8 ante-post favourite. The Cheveley Park winner Carry On Katie is their 8 to 1 favourite for the 1,000 Guineas.
John Boyle, owner and managing director of the firm, said: "We look forward to working in partnership with the Curragh over the next three years to develop and promote the Boylesports Guineas Festival and copper-fasten its position as one of the must-see festivals of the season."
Michael Osborne, chairman of the Curragh Committee, added: "We look forward to working closely with Boylesports to ensure the festival continues to be one of the most sought-after events in the international racing calendar."
Liberman, winner of the Weatherbys Champion Bumper in March, can make a successful jumping debut in the Dunbar Maiden Hurdle on a surprise visit to Musselburgh today. The form of his Cheltenham Festival success could not have worked out better, with winners galore coming out of the race.
