Stage to try againIt looks as if Stage Affair will, after all, take his chance against Istabraq in the Smurfit Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.Thu Jan 25 2001 - 00:00
Over the Furze looks the partGaze down the historic Thyestes Chase winning roll and you won't find too many novice winners of the race, but Over The Furze…Thu Jan 25 2001 - 00:00
Huge leap in SP bettingThe amount of money wagered in Irish betting shops last year was up by a dramatic 27 per cent to a total of £927 million, while…Wed Jan 24 2001 - 00:00
Banquet ready for actionAlexander Banquet looks set to provide some heavyweight back-up to his stable companion Florida Pearl in Sunday week's Hennessy…Wed Jan 24 2001 - 00:00
Limestone for NaasShane McGovern will be reunited with Limestone Lad at Naas on Saturday when the James Bowe-trained star faces a likely clash …Tue Jan 23 2001 - 00:00
Istabraq now on target to make historyThe Cheltenham express is back on track after Istabraq swept the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle opposition aside in devastating fashion…Mon Jan 22 2001 - 00:00
Istabraq silences the doubtersThe doubters were silenced, the champ reigns supreme and the road to history is wide openMon Jan 22 2001 - 00:00
Istabraq should be up to this challengeIt has to be said he is a superstar. Only true superstars have their every step monitered to such an extentSat Jan 20 2001 - 00:00
Istabraq rumours denied by O'BrienThe Istabraq team have poured cold water on rumours about the triple champion hurdler's well-being, but it hasn't stopped one…Fri Jan 19 2001 - 00:00
Stage set for Ruby WalshRuby Walsh has retained the ride on Stage Affair for Sunday's AIG Europe Champion Hurdle.Thu Jan 18 2001 - 00:00
Weather may strike againLeopardstown's battle with the weather looks set to continue after a track spokesman yesterday admitted to being "concerned" …Wed Jan 17 2001 - 00:00
O'Brien looks westAidan O'Brien has taken the first tentative steps for a possible attempt on the Kentucky Derby by submitting a colossal 21-strong…Tue Jan 16 2001 - 00:00
Istabraq hot favouriteIstabraq will face just six opponents when he bids for a record fourth AIG Europe Champion Hurdle success at Leopardstown on …Tue Jan 16 2001 - 00:00
Grinkov breaks bookmakersIt took 15 attempts but Charlie Swan finally broke a rare big race hoodoo when Grinkov broke the bookmakers in yesterday's £100…Mon Jan 15 2001 - 00:00
Frost nearly delayed startDermot Weld has confirmed Stage Affair on course to tackle Istabraq in Sunday's AIG Europe Champion Hurdle, but the Leopardstown…Mon Jan 15 2001 - 00:00
Sparkling show by Grinkov as he lands gambleThe subsequent record of the winners of Ireland's richest handicap hurdle at Cheltenham may be less than inspiring, but Grinkov…Mon Jan 15 2001 - 00:00
Williamson looking for doubleA Pierse Hurdle-Leopardstown Chase double is a lot to ask of any jockey but if anyone can do it Norman Williamson can and Wild…Sat Jan 13 2001 - 00:00
Walsh should record doubleWith the emphasis apparently on value in tomorrow's Pierse Hurdle, racing's lack of hard and fast punting rules can be witnessed…Sat Jan 13 2001 - 00:00
Istabraq set for second runIstabraq has been confirmed as an intended runner in tomorrow week's AIG Europe Champion HurdleSat Jan 13 2001 - 00:00
Istabraq may have run lazilyAidan O'Brien now believes the triple champion hurdler Istabraq was lazy instead of tired during his New Year's Eve comeback …Thu Jan 11 2001 - 00:00
Hors La Loi III and Istabraq likely to meet at LeopardstownA critical weekend gallop will decide if Hors La Loi III takes another shot at the mighty Istabraq in Leopardstown's AIG Europe…Wed Jan 10 2001 - 00:00
Grinkov favourite to cheer SwanGrinkov has been made a 13 to 2 favourite to fill a rare big-race blank for Charlie Swan in Sunday's Pierse Handicap Hurdle, …Tue Jan 09 2001 - 00:00
Imperial is no back numberHe is dismissed as a 200 to 1 shot by the bookies but Imperial Call could yet have one last crack at regaining the Cheltenham…Tue Jan 09 2001 - 00:00
O'Brien not worried by fallThe Smurfit Champion Hurdle may not have been blown wide open by Istabraq's dramatic last-flight fall on Sunday but it sure isn…Tue Jan 02 2001 - 00:00
Moore to win with Native UpmanshipThe venue may be the same but the Leopardstown track is about the only factor that won't provoke a sense of dislocation tomorrow…Sat Dec 30 2000 - 00:00
Ruby takes flight on Papillon at AintreeRuby Walsh can still remember the feeling. Just three fences to go and he was closing on the leadersSat Dec 30 2000 - 00:00
Cash to deliver on the doubleThe indications from Co Kilkenny are Gowran is likely to survive a noon inspection today and that will be good news for jockey…Sat Dec 30 2000 - 00:00
Leopardstown optimisticA Leopardstown spokesman yesterday said he was "very optimistic" about tomorrow's re-scheduled fixture going ahead but there …Sat Dec 30 2000 - 00:00
Clean sweep of a worthy dozenThroughout what has been probably the most successful season ever enjoyed by an Irish jockey, Johnny Murtagh has become well …Sat Dec 30 2000 - 00:00
Prospects slim for today's meetingThe Leopardstown authorities describe their chances of racing today as "probably not even 50-50", and already there is the possibility…Fri Dec 29 2000 - 00:00
Istabraq in plan changeFrost and snow may deny Leopardstown the chance of hosting Istabraq this afternoon, but Aidan O'Brien hinted strongly yesterday…Fri Dec 29 2000 - 00:00
Fears grow for racing prospectsLeopardstown authorities admit they are "concerned" about prospects for racing as they prepare for a 7Thu Dec 28 2000 - 00:00
Rely on Native UpmanshipThe cast for today's Ericsson Chase includes the gallant veteran, the returning hero and the defending champion, but it's worth…Thu Dec 28 2000 - 00:00
Tyner enjoys moment of gloryCall Me Dara sprang a 33 to 1 shock to land yesterday's £125,000 paddypowerThu Dec 28 2000 - 00:00
Chill wind makes it hard going for puntersA massive crowd of 16,700 shivered at the start of Leopardstown's Christmas festival but there is huge concern that the weather…Wed Dec 27 2000 - 00:00
Knife Edge just does enoughThe £39,000 first prize presumably made a sizeable dent in the price JP McManus forked out for Knife Edge but more importantly…Wed Dec 27 2000 - 00:00
Shannon Gale is fanciedJP McManus didn't seem too disappointed that his favourite in the first race yesterday was beaten by a Christy Roche trained …Wed Dec 27 2000 - 00:00
Festival punters get last look at old LeopardstownUp to 60,000 people are expected to bet close on £5Sat Dec 23 2000 - 00:00
Hourigan has double prospectsThe steeplechase races may be gone but the Cork track has proved the doubters wrong and has survived to host a St Stephen's Day…Sat Dec 23 2000 - 00:00
Knife Edge to prove worthIf you're one of the multitude swarming to Leopardstown on Tuesday, then tips are probably welcomeSat Dec 23 2000 - 00:00
Florida Pearl on course for King George at KemptonFlorida Pearl remains on course for an attempt on becoming the first Irish-trained King George VI Chase winner in 25 years but…Fri Dec 22 2000 - 00:00
Limestone Lad off trackLimestone Lad could be off the track until February due to muscle problems in his back.Fri Dec 22 2000 - 00:00
Stage set for clashDermot Weld is hoping his star jumper Stage Affair can make it third time lucky when he takes on the mighty Istabraq at Leopardstown…Thu Dec 21 2000 - 00:00
Nicholls likely to miss EricssonLeopardstown's Ericsson Chase is turning into an all-Irish affair even though Paul Nicholls said yesterday the former Gold Cup…Tue Dec 19 2000 - 00:00
Dundee confirmed Ericsson runnerThe returning hero Nick Dundee is set to be the horse to carry Sue Magnier's colours in Leopardstown's Ericsson ChaseMon Dec 18 2000 - 00:00
Punchestown closed until April festivalThe Punchestown authorities are "totally confident" about their April festival going ahead on the main track - but have announced…Sat Dec 16 2000 - 00:00
RTE to miss Istabraq returnIstabraq has been confirmed on track for his first start of the season at Leopardstown but television viewers will yet again …Sat Dec 16 2000 - 00:00
Limestone Lad likely to stay over hurdlesLimestone Lad will run over hurdles at Christmas and looks to be in line for a more prolonged spell over the smaller obstacles…Thu Dec 14 2000 - 00:00
Curling banned for `insufficient effort'Amateur jockey Sam Curling faces a prolonged Christmas holiday after being hit with a 14-day ban by the Fairyhouse stewards yesterday…Thu Dec 14 2000 - 00:00
Magnier's Christmas clash offThe Gold Cup contenders Nick Dundee and Native Upmanship, which race in the colours of John Magnier's wife, Sue, may not after…Wed Dec 13 2000 - 00:00
