Monday, January 1, 2001
ONLY EXETER AND SOUTHWELL SURVIVE
Today's fixture at Exeter is due to go ahead after passing an inspection, with rain rather than frost the problem.
Clerk of the course Nick Ansell said: "We had a precautionary inspection but we have passed and racing goes ahead. We had 28mm (over an inch) of rain overnight but this is an amazingly forgiving course in how it can recover"
The going is heavy. The Devon course will stage Britain's only jump racing after the only other hope, Plumpton, called off its televised meeting as overnight rain caused waterlogging.
Clerk of the course David McHarg said: "We had 35mm of rain overnight. The stewards inspected the track, found it was waterlogged in parts and abandoned the meeting."
The Southwell all-weather Flat fixture is also due to go ahead. Today's other scheduled other three fixtures, Catterick, Cheltenham and Leicester, were called off yesterday
Irish racing, which went ahead yesterday, is set to beat the weather again, with Fairyhouse given the go-ahead following an early-morning inspection. The going is heavy.
Tramore is also racing this afternoon and the going is heavy.
MCMANUS BUYS TOP FRENCH HORSES
J P McManus has bought Pertemps King George VI Chase winner First Gold and stable-companion Baracouda, a very smart hurdler, in a private deal.
The pair will remain with their current trainer Francois Doumen in France.
Swiss-based Irishman McManus already owns many top jump horses, including three-time champion hurdler Istabraq who is going for a Smurfit Champion Hurdle four-timer in March.
He has now bought the top chaser as First Gold is rated the best in Europe over fences after winning the King George by 10 lengths at Kempton on Boxing Day. The eight-year-old is favourite for the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup at Cheltenham in March.
The new owner said: "I'm delighted to have had the opportunity to acquire such an exciting horse as First Gold."
J P MCManus is putting together quite a team for the National Hunt Festival in March.
CHAMPION HURDLER DEFEATED
Istabraq had the first fall of his career in the AIB Agri-Business December Festival Hurdle at Leopardstown on Sunday.
The three-times champion hurdler appeared to be fine after the fall, the second defeat he has suffered in his last five runs. The Aidan O'Brien-trained nine-year-old, who was making his seasonal debut, is due to run in the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown in three weeks' time.
He was sent off at 1-4 to land a 22nd success over timber but at the last was challenged by Stage Affair and Moscow Flyer.
Taking off too soon Istabraq took and tumble, but photographer Pat Healy caught the horse.
Moscow Flyer (5/1) stayed on under Barry Geraghty to win by two lengths from Stage Affair (6/1) with Mantles Prince third.
O'Brien said: "It would be hard to go straight to Cheltenham off that run. The AIG Hurdle would have to be back in our minds now but we will wait and see how Istabraq is and then I will discuss plans with JP McManus."
Jockey Charlie Swan added: "He felt as good as ever. I thought there was every chance he would pick up after the last because he always does."
Istabraq, who had been odds-on for Cheltenham, is now as high as Evens.
RINCE RI FOR CHELTENHAM
Rince Ri is a best-priced 12-1 chance with the sponsors for the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup in March following his repeat victory in the Ericsson Chase at Leopardstown on Sunday.
The winner jumped well for Ruby Walsh and tracked favourite Native Upmanship, Nick Dundee and Dorans Pride into the home straight.
Hitting the front going to the last fence, Rince Ri went on from Nick Dundee and was ridden out to beat Dorans Pride by two and a half lengths, with Nick Dundee in third.
The plan now is for Rince Ri to go to Cheltenham for the Pillar Property Chase on January 27 to gain further experience of the Gold Cup course.
Trainer Ted Walsh said: "He is tough and handles that bad ground. I would expect him to improve for that effort and we will see how he gets on in the Pillar Chase before we start thinking about the Gold Cup."
Edward O'Grady said about Nick Dundee: "I am thrilled with that run. Nick Dundee is on song now and heading for the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup back here in February."
For old articles (from 1st March 2000) go to the Newslink
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