RACING:IT'S A long way from Scotland to Kerry, but Tipperary trainer David Marnane will try to bridge the gap this afternoon when Partner attempts a piece of history in the Ayr Gold Cup.
No Irish-trained horse has won the prestigious sprint, and Partner faces a tough task in a 27-strong field in which he will be ridden by Emmet McNamara.
However, Marnane was in hopeful form yesterday for a four-year-old he rates as being Listed class and who has won twice this season.
“He almost broke the track record at Tipperary and although we thought he was well when he ran a couple of days later at the Curragh, when they run a quick time it can be difficult to come back quickly,” he said.
“He’s an improving horse. His first race last year was off a mark of 44 so he has come a long way and he is fresh and well now.”
Marnane also holds a major shout in the Lynch’s Bakery Fillies Maiden, the first race on the final day of the Listowel Festival with Pinnk.
A second to Siul Alainn at the Curragh recently is a decent piece of form that could be good enough to secure the mile maiden.
There will be other Irish interest at Newmarket this afternoon where Aidan O’Brien sends the Curragh maiden winner Oracle for the Tattersalls Millions Auction Trophy.
Johnny Murtagh travels over for the ride, and another top Irish-based jockey in the race will be Declan McDonogh, who has been booked by Richard Fahey for the Gimcrack third Sir Reginald.
Listowel’s feature is the €25,000 Edmond Whelan Memorial Handicap Hurdle in which Ruby Walsh has been booked for Hunting Tower, while last season’s Grade One-wining juvenile hurdler Pittoni can successfully conclude a memorable festival for trainer Charles Byrnes in the amateur race.
