The disappointment in Leinster House at the progress of the Dail horse continues. Quidnunc can inform punters that Artic Copper will not, alas, be making an appearance at Galway in a week's time. Originally billed to run at Cheltenham, where many of its owners did run, then Fairyhouse at Easter, then Punchestown, it has failed the test again and remains at Noel Meade's stables in Co Meath. The secret consortium of deputies and senators, Grand Alliance, is in despair. "We have it over a year and it is out to grass, but we still have to pay. It's expensive, only there are 17 of us. It's a sore point and there is great disaffection among the owners. It should go in a bumper in Galway."
Word from the inside, however, tells Quidnunc that Artic Copper has been taken off the grass and should run before the end of September. Watch this space.