Wednesday, March 31, 2003
2004 POWERS GOLD LABEL IRISH GRAND NATIONAL ATTRACTS 74 ENTRIES FOR EASTER MONDAY SHOWDOWN
The 133rd running of the Powers Gold Label Irish Grand National due to take place on Easter Monday April 12 has attracted another quality entry. The highlight of the Fairyhouse three-day Easter Festival that gets underway on Sunday April 11 has attracted 74 initial entries including 18 from Britain.
Harbour Pilot, who finished third behind Best Mate in the Gold Cup at Cheltenham for the second successive time earlier this month has been allotted top-weight of 12 stone and is one of six entries locally trained by Noel Meade which includes The Bunny Boiler, successful here two years ago. Other previous winners to figure are Davids Lad (2001) and last year's hero Timbera.
Also among the entries for the 180,000 Easter Monday spectacle is the Jonjo O'Neill-trained Native Emperor, winner of the NH Chase at last month's Cheltenham Festival, along with stable companions Joss Naylor and Mini Sensation. The latter is owned by JP McManus, who has five entered, while Willie Mullins, seeking his first success in the race, has a similar number among the entry list including Cheltenham Royal & SunAlliance scorer Rule Supreme. Of the 18-strong British entry, Tote Eider winner Tyneandthyneagain and Peter Marsh scorer Artic Jack figure prominently while the entry list also includes 2002 Galway Plate hero Rockholm Boy and his stable companion Native Performance, winner of last year s Kerry National at Listowel.
Noel O'Brien, Ireland's Senior NH Handicapper, is delighted with the entry. "It is a huge entry with 21 in the handicap proper and 14 others between just one and four pounds out of the handicap. Three of the first four in last year's race are entered again and it includes several notable winners both this season and last and Harbour Pilot, who finished third in two Gold Cups."
Dick Sheil, Fairyhouse General Manager, is looking forward to the Easter Festival. "The Powers Gold Label Irish Grand National is without doubt the highlight of the year at Fairyhouse and I'm obviously very grateful again for the kind support of Irish Distillers Limited and all our loyal sponsors over the three day Easter Festival. I'm delighted with the quality of this years Irish Grand National entry and it promises to be another cracking contest."
Ciara Kelly, Marketing Manager, Irish Distillers, rates the Irish Grand National highly on their sponsorship portfolio, "The sponsorship of the Powers Gold Label Irish Grand National is an important part of our annual programme of support for Powers Gold Label, Ireland's favourite whiskey. We look forward to a great day's racing on Easter Monday and I wish all racegoers an enjoyable and successful day."
Adding glamour and style to Fairyhouse on Easter Monday there is the annual Powers Gold Label / Carl Scarpa Best Dressed Lady competition, judged by RTE's Off the Rails Stylist, Cathy O'Connor, Julie Heaney, Carl Scarpa Buyer, and Suzanne McGovern, Brand Manager, Powers Gold Label.
This year the Powers Gold Label / Carl Scarpa Best Dressed Lady competition has been given an added attraction with a prize valued at over 5,000. The winning lady will not only go home with a Carl Scarpa voucher for 1,000 but Powers Gold Label will fly her to Florence on an all expenses shopping spree. The trip will include flights, three nights accommodation in a first class Florence Hotel, Dinner in an exclusive restaurant and an evening in a top night club, together with 500 shopping voucher, courtesy of Carl Scarpa. What more could the best dressed lady ask for? The two runners-up will not be forgotten either each will receive a Carl Scarpa 500 voucher.
Powers Gold Label are also offering punters a chance to win a trip to the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in Paris including flights, accommodation and VIP passes. To be in with a chance of winning this super prize racegoers will be invited to participate in a quiz that will be broadcast on CCTV in the bars and restaurants throughout the afternoon. Full details will appear in the race card on Easter Monday.
POWERS IRISH GRAND NATIONAL ENTRIES SUMMARY
* There are 18 British-trained entries including Cheltenham Festival winner Native Emperor (4m NH Chase). Scottish Borders National winner Tipsy Mouse and Artic Jack, winner of the Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock in January along with Tote Eider winner Tyneandthyneagain, the highest rated of the British challenge, also figure
* The Bunny Boiler, winner in 2002, is one of 6 horses entered by Noel Meade
* Included in the entries are last three winners of the race namely Davids Lad (2001), The Bunny Boiler (2002) and last year's scorer Timbera
* Jonjo O'Neill, yet to have a runner in the Irish National, has three entered Native Emperor, Mini Sensation and Joss Naylor
* Arthur Moore, who rode Kings Sprite to win in 1971 and trained Feathered Leader to score in 1996, is represented by Marcus Du Berlais, Munster and Native Jack this year
* Edward O'Grady, who trained Bit Of A Skite to win the race in 1983, has Takagi, 11th in last year's race, among the 74 entries
* Michael O'Brien has the best record in the Irish National of any trainer with horses entered in this year's race. He won the race three times with King Spruce (1982), Vanton (1999) and Glebe Lad (1999) and this year has Bennies Pride and Kadoun entered
* Willie Mullins is bidding for his first success in the race and this year has five [Alexander Banquet, Ballyamber, Hedgehunter, Killultagh Thunder, Rule Supreme] entered
* JP McManus had his colours carried to victory by Bit Of A Skite in 1983 and this year has five horses [Colonel Bradley, Kadoun, Le Coudray, Mini Sensation, Spot Thedifference] among the initial entry. British owner Trevor Hemmings has four entered [Artic Jack, Hedgehunter, Lord Jack, Tipsy Mouse]
* 22 horses entered to run at the same initial entry stage in 2003 have been entered again including last year's winner Timbera
CHANNEL4 ATTHERACES UPDATE
Further to this morning's announcement by attheraces confirming the termination of its Media Rights Agreement with 49 UK racecourses, Channel 4 remains in negotiations with the racecourses for the terrestrial broadcast rights. These negotiations are progressing and Channel 4 hopes to be in a position to update the market over the next few days.
A spokesperson for Channel 4 said: "Channel 4 has broadcast live UK horseracing for 20 years and we are proud of the quality of our programmes. We are working hard to reach an agreement which ensures the UK horseracing industry continues to benefit from the exposure terrestrial broadcasts provide, but which also makes commercial sense to Channel 4."
For old articles (from 1st March 2000) go to the Newslink
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