THERE is a substantial increase of sponsorship over previous years for the big two day fixture at Fairyhouse on November 30th and December 1st. There are four Graded races on the Saturday, and Sunday's £35,000 Chiquita Drinmore Novice Chase will be the big attraction if, as is hoped, Danoli and Dorans Pride take each other on.
Danoli was not overly impressive in winning at Naas last time out and trainer Tom Foley will not decide until next week whether the popular chaser will run at Fairyhouse. The Co Carlow trainer said yesterday: "Danoli has pleased me since he won at Naas 10 days ago, but I will have to be happy with him in every way if he is to run at Fairyhouse."
Avonmore plc, a new sponsor at Fairyhouse, promote the Avonmore Royal Bond Novice Hurdle on the Sunday and Pierse Construction, another first time sponsor, lends its name to the featured Grade 3 Handicap Chase over three miles and a furlong on the first day.
New all weather gallops of nine furlongs will officially open on December 2nd. This new facility represents an investment by the Fairyhouse executive of £100,000 and is part off a plan to improve facilities at the track.
At Naas on Saturday, Sean Graham bookmakers, who have been long associated with the Kildare venue, are sponsoring the £10,000 handicap hurdle.
Racing would have been possible at Tipperary yesterday, but with overnight temperatures expected to drop sharply, there must be considerable doubt that today's meeting can go ahead. There will be an inspection at 7.30 a.m.
There had been a lot of rain in the locality before the cold snap set in, and as the course does not drain quickly, it has not been possible to stage the proposed chases. As a result, the EBF Mares Maiden Hurdle and the Barronstown Maiden Hurdle have been divided to make a seven race card.
Runner up to Antapoura at Punchestown last Saturday, Rathgibbon will be expected to go one better in the Tipperary Handicap Hurdle, but Jane Digby, successful in a three mile handicap hurdle at Naas last month, may be capable of giving the weight.
Tidjani, successful in a two mile handicap hurdle at Listowel is taken to win the Kevin McManus Bookmaker Novice Hurdle and Coryrose, second in a bumper at Punchestown, but like the winner disqualified for taking the wrong course, may win the Oola Flat Race.
. Suny Bay has been withdrawn from bookmakers' ante post lists' for the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury a week on Saturday after disappointing on his reappearance at Kempton yesterday.
The Charlie Brooks trained seven year old came home last of five finishers under top weight in the Limber Hill Chase at Sundbury, fading from three out to be beaten 38 lengths behind Trying Again, and it was reported to the stewards after the race that the gelding had bled from the nose".
Mulligan, who cost 100,000 guineas when bought out of the Mouse Morris stables, completed his second victory since joining, David Nicholson with a smooth win in the Staines Novices' Chase. An impressive winner at Uttoxeter last time, he continued to fulfil his tall reputation with an 11 length defeat of Wilde Music.
