The news that bookmakers didn't want to hear arrived yesterday when the Co Meath trainer Tony Martin confirmed that Patsy Hall will take his chance in tomorrow's Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury.
Martin's record for hitting layers when it counts in big handicaps was boosted even further last weekend when Royal County Star landed a major gamble in the Troytown Chase at Navan, after which he memorably said: "Isn't it great to see these f*****s cleaned out!"
However, a glint of hope was thrown to the bookies yesterday as Martin also offered the view that tomorrow's big race may come just a little too soon for the horse that used to be trained by Michael Cunningham.
"He does lack experience for a race like the Hennessy and that's why we were deliberating about going. But he does run and hopefully he will put up a good show," Martin said.
The immediate reaction was to cut Patsy Hall to as low as 8 to 1 in some ante-post lists despite a less than eye-catching run at Punchestown last time out.
"He finished well back but that was over two miles so hopefully he will benefit a lot from the trip on Saturday. It should be a big help. It's still a fair big ask but the way we will ride him will give him a chance. We will drop him out and take our time. Jason Maguire rides," Martin reported.
"I definitely think there is a big race in him but this might be coming a bit early. Maybe a race at Cheltenham or something at this time next year might suit better," he added.
With Jason Maguire on Patsy Hall and Tony McCoy and Davy Russell on Snowy Morning and Abragante respectively, there will again be a major Irish influence on the Hennessy and the same applies to tomorrow's Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle where a trio of Irish horses contribute to an eight-strong field headed by Katchit.
Clopf (Andrew McNamara) and Al Eile (Tony Dobbin) will be joined by the 2004 winner Harchibald whose return to action at Dundalk earlier in the month has encouraged Noel Meade's hopes of a Fighting Fifth repeat.
"He ran very well in Dundalk and he's in terrific form," said Meade who ruled out Jazz Messenger from the race due to a cut to a leg.
"Harchie seems in great shape and I just hope we don't get too much more rain there."
Meade could end up having a bumper Grade One weekend as Aitmatov is a 5 to 2 favourite in some lists for Sunday's Hatton's Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse.
"Aitmatov is in good shape and worked well this morning. He definitely runs and I could run Rosaker in the race too," Meade added.
"The Bowe's look to have another flying machine though (Sweet Kiln) and any time you run into a Bowe horse, you know you are going to be made work the whole way."
No jumping star will run at Dundalk this evening but the major names of the flat game are all represented with Michael Kinane going to the floodlit all-weather for three rides looking to be especially significant.
The legendary rider's main job will be on Tarkari in the mile maiden where one of the major threats will be another Aga Khan- owned colt, Dirar, from Michael Halford's yard.
He ran a promising third on his Gowran debut and with Aidan O'Brien throwing Georgebernardshaw into the fray, Tarkari looks to face no easy task.
However, there was little wrong with his own Leopardstown debut behind Plan and it looks noteworthy that John Oxx gives him another start now.
Pat Smullen is assured of a fourth jockeys title already but he looks to have a number of good chances to move off the 94 winner mark for 2007 and Drifting could be one of them in the mile handicap.
The impeccably bred half sister to New Approach secured a valuable win at Fairyhouse in September and may be one to add to another Smullen runner, Graceful Star in the earlier Nursery. Dermot Weld juvenile has topweight but this company will be a lot easier than the Goffs Million last autumn.
