Andrew McNamara aboard Edward O’Grady’s Skys The Limit rising to the last on his own in the Ballymore Properties Drinmore Novice Chase at Fairyhouse on Sunday. Irish racing this weekend is on the all weather at Dundalk on Friday night, at Navan on Saturday and Punchestown on Sunday. English raider The Listener heads the list of 12 entries in the Grade One John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown on Sunday. A win would give trainer Robert Alner, recovering from a serious car crash, a perfect get-well present. Michael O’Brien, who won this race 12 months ago with Sean Mulryan’s In Compliance, has another of the Roscommon man’s horses Forget The Past entered and Willie Mullins’ Grand National winner Hedgehunter is also a possible runner. Michael Hourigan’s Hi Cloy, winner in 2005, is also entered. In form Noel Meade has two, Father Matt and Watson Lake, as has Charlie Swan with Foreman and One Cool Cookie. Mansony and Schindlers Hunt, who held entries in the Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown but will not travel, Sher Beau and Mister Top Notch complete the list of possible runners. Hi Cloy could go here in for Michael Hourigan. Jessica Harrington’s Gemini Lucy will not travel over the pond for the Tingle Creek leaving it without an Irish challenger. Paul Nicholls hopes to win with Twist Magic but if the going turns heavy, winner in 2005 ad 2006, Kauto Star, while unlikely to, may take his chance and if he does will take some beating. He also runs Hoo La Baloo. The Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Races on Sunday next see Dylan Thomas run for the last time in Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Vase. Aidan O’Brien’s travelling head lad, Pat Keating has confirmed the wellbeing of European Horse of the Year as he bids for victory in his final race. At the first of the NH seasons big meetings at Fairyhouse on Sunday Noel Meade had a treble starting with the Royal Bond Hurdle and the 4-Y-O Muirhead, Aitmatov in the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle and Sigma Digital in the Maiden Hurdle. All 3 were ridden by Paul Carberry. The Ballymore Properties Hatton’s Grace Hurdle was won impressively by Aitmatov from the Michael Bowe’s brave mare Sweet Kiln who tried to make all but went down by a short head. The Ballymore Properties Drinmore Novice Chase over two and a half miles went to Edward O’Grady’s Sky’s The Limit. This much improved 6-Y-O beat Be My Leader trained by Francis Flood by 4½l. Line Ball was 3rd. Paul Nolan’s French Accordian did not relish the soft ground and was pulled up by John Cullen. O’Grady went on to win the bumper at odds of 20/1 with Cockleshell Road who paid huge odds of € 45.40 on the tote. Noel Meade’s outsider Sigma Lifestyle was 2nd and the Sean O’Brien trained The Real Project 3rd. In the bumper on Saturday at Fairyhouse Morgansaccord, tipped in the column last week, held on by diminishing shortest of short heads to win from the 4-Y-O fav Minella Theatre. Quietly fancied to win the abandoned bumper at the recent Cheltenham meeting, John Shark Hanlon’s 5-Y-O son of Accordian was given a superb ride by young Emmet Mullins to hold of the late challenge of the Joe Crowley’s 4-Y-O who was only receiving 1 lb. In the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury Willie Mullins’ Snowy Morning fell early in the race at the 7th fence and Kauto Star’s stablemate top weighted Denman collected the prize. Keeping him handy for the early part of the race Sam Thomas moved his mount to the front with over a circuit to race and pulling clear the result was never in doubt with Denman running out an easy winner by 11l from Dream Alliance with Character Building a further 8l back in 3rd. This was a most impressive performance and the 7-Y-O son of Presenting will now run in the Lexus at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting. At Newcastle on Saturday Noel Meade’s Harchibald won the two-mile WBX.COM "Fighting Fifth" Hurdle in impressive style from John Queally’s Al Eile to complete an Irish 1, 2. Like Jazz Messenger last weekend Meade had sharpened up his charge with a race on the all weather in Dundalk a week earlier. He is now in position for the £1m bonus by winning at Kempton and Cheltenham. Unfortunately War Of Attrition won’t be seen this season. The son of Presenting has not met with a setback, Mouse Norris and Michael O’Leary are just giving the winner of 2006 Cheltenham Gold Cup plenty of time to recover after his layoff. The eight-year-old, who injured a tendon, underwent successful stem cell surgery and is now back in training doing light work but would not be ready for this years Blue Riband at Cheltenham. As much as it was expected it was still sad to hear Enda Bolger has announced that Spot Thedifference is being retired. In a statement Enda said ‘After much consideration it has been decided to retire Spot Thedifference. At 14, and having finished on such a high note after winning at Cheltenham last month, we felt it was only right to end his career at this time. ‘Throughout his career, he gave of his best with passion and tenacity, and I’d imagine Spot will be disappointed as he’s in excellent form. I hope he’ll enjoy his retirement as much as he enjoyed his racing.’ And as one of his legion of fans this writer certainly hopes he enjoys his well earned retirement. Tom Red was one of the lucky ones to be in Cheltenham last month when the 14-Y-O ran for the last time winning the BGC Cross Country Chase, his 7th win over this course in the Cotswolds. John Thomas McNamara rode him to 11 of his 14 victories. Between the flags last week Derek O’Connor with a treble is now on the 27 winner mark for the season and Jamie Codd had 2 winners at Ballindenisk last weekend bringing him to 15 winners so far. There was again a huge entry and with 177 horses turning up the United Hunt had11 races. This weekend sees the last 2 meetings of the Autumn Season with the scheduled meeting at Avaune outside Midleton Co Cork and the re-fixed meeting at Ballydarragh, Gorey Co Wexford. Once more let’s know if you, the readers, are enjoying this column or if there are any other aspects of racing you would dealt with by e-mail: horses.forcourses@yahoo.com
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