RACING LEOPARDSTOWN REPORT:THE TOMMY Stack team has emphatically ruled the Epsom Derby out of Noll Wallop's agenda, but that seems to be about the only big-race option not open to the colt after his hugely impressive Group Three success at Leopardstown yesterday.
Aidan O’Brien might have thrown three at the 2,000 Guineas Trial, while Jim Bolger’s duo included the 2 to 1 favourite Free Judgement, but ultimately there was no challenge to Noll Wallop in the mile event.
At the line he had three-and-a- half lengths in hand of the Ballydoyle second-string Viscount Nelson, who might have been a little unlucky but not enough to weaken the impression the Stack colt made.
An original plan to aim Noll Wallop at Sandown’s Classic Trial over 10 furlongs, followed by a possible attempt at the Gallinule before pitching up in the Irish Derby, could now be cast aside in favour of an alternative route to the Curragh in late June.
Bookmakers go as low as 12 to 1 about Noll Wallop for the Irish 2,000 Guineas, and Stack’s son and assistant, Fozzy, admitted after the race: “Ten minutes ago we weren’t thinking about a Guineas. I thought this might be too short. But he is in the Irish Guineas and we will see what it looks like closer to the time.”
The Irish Derby remains the colt’s major target, but yesterday’s display revealed an unexpected burst of speed that means Noll Wallop could go there via a mile classic, or possibly the Dante at York. The one race, though, not on his radar is the Epsom Derby.
“Epsom would not suit him,” Fozzy Stack said. “I don’t think he will be pitching up in a Derrinstown against the likes of Jan Vermeer or St Nicholas Abbey, but the Irish Derby will be his day. It’s lovely to be talking about these sorts of plans, though.”
Considering Stack saddled his first four-timer at the Curragh the weekend before, and now looks to have a genuine classic contender, there was possibly less shock than there would be with a 12 to 1 newcomer when Mister Carter also won under Wayne Lordan in the mile-and-a-quarter maiden.
Behtarini was talked of as John Oxx’s best three-year-old beforehand, but the 5 to 4 favourite could only dead-heat for fourth as Mister Carter went clear of Rocky Elsom and September Morn.
Aidan O’Brien sent 17 horses to the races yesterday, and while the Ballydoyle stable in general appears to be starting the turf season slowly, there seemed to be some confidence behind the well-backed Famous in the 1,000 Guineas Trial.
However, Mastercraftsman’s sister beat only one home, a place behind her stable companion You’ll Be Mine, as the Group Three finish was dominated by the Paul Deegan-trained Lady Springbank, who beat Mark Fagan’s outsider Duchess Of Foxland by a length-and-a-half.
Deegan, who started training at the Curragh in 2006, trained the grey filly to win the Park Stakes last year after she was transferred from England by owner Mark Gittins following Karl Burke’s one-year warning-off on corruption charges.
Fran Berry notched his first winner as stable jockey to John Oxx when Hazarafa sprinted clear on the turn-in of the fillies maiden and will go next to the Salsabil Stakes at Navan.
Declan McDonogh edged Berry out in the 10-furlong handicap as Take It Easee beat Gimli’s Rocks, and doubled up in the concluding seven-furlong handicap on board Little Arrows.
HRI and bookmakers to address Oireachtas committee
HORSE RACING Ireland (HRI) and internet exchange Betfair will have the opportunity to present their views on the funding of racing to a joint committee from the Department of Sport and Tourism on Wednesday.
The ruling bodies of the horse and greyhound industries, along with representatives of the betting industry, have been invited to make submissions to the committee, but it comes on the back of the latest clash between HRI and Betfair which has resulted in the company not being allowed to sponsor next month's Punchestown festival.
Punchestown have turned down a reported €100,000 sponsorship offer from Betfair after taking advice on the matter from HRI.
Racing's ruling body has received no payment from Betfair since 2008 and is unhappy with an offer of €1million per year from the company.
HRI appointees fill four of the eight seats on the Punchestown board after injecting substantial funds into the racecourse at the start of the last decade.
HRI chief executive Brian Kavanagh rejected suggestions pressure had been brought on Punchestown to reject Betfair's sponsorship.
"Ultimately it is a matter for every individual racecourse regarding their commercial decisions," he said. "But it would be naive of Punchestown and Betfair to think a minimal contribution to a race can be made and the rest of the industry will stand by and watch Betfair making no real contribution to Irish racing."
Kavanagh also said other tracks have rejected Betfair sponsorship this year, but a spokesman for the company said: "The only loser in this scenario is Irish racing."
