WEEKEND PREVIEWS:ON THE final day of the 2009-10 National Hunt season both here and in Britain, there would surely be no horse more deserving of a Grade One success than Barizan when he lines up in this afternoon's Punchestown feature.
The nine-runner Airshow 100 Champion four-year-old Hurdle helps bring the festival to a conclusion, and, while sentiment may favour Barizan, Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary will be hoping a Carlito Brigante victory will help secure him a first owners’ championship in Ireland.
O’Leary, under his Gigginstown Stud umbrella, and JP McManus have notched up a €1 million-plus each in prizemoney in Ireland this season, and a lucrative success on the final day could be crucial for either man in title terms with only €40,000 between them going into yesterday evening.
In contrast, McManus is already assured of the owners crown in Britain, where Tony McCoy and Paul Nicholls also retain their titles.
It is a similar “as you were” story here, with Ruby Walsh ending the campaign on 108 winners, although the prizemoney tally of his nearest rival, Davy Russell, of almost €2 million is greater than the champion jockey’s.
Willie Mullins is champion trainer with over €2.6 million in prizemoney in the bag, and over 140 winners, well clear of Noel Meade on 59 winners and just over €1 million.
Mullins’s son Patrick again looks set for the amateur riders’ crown with a gap of three to his nearest rival, Nina Carberry, going into yesterday evening’s action.
All of which won’t matter much to Welsh trainer Evan Williams, who will be praying that Barizan’s remarkable constitution can keep him going one more time this term and secure a first Grade One success.
The ex-John Oxx-trained star first ran over hurdles last June, and eight further starts this season have culminated in two heartbreaking top-flight defeats for the Williams team.
Barizan dominated the Triumph Hurdle from the front at Cheltenham only for a mistake at the last to help Soldatino pass him on the run-in.
Ridden with more restraint at Aintree, he also had to settle for second after being blindsided by the 40 to 1 shot Orsippus, who challenged on the other side of the track.
That run was remarkable considering his gruelling effort at Cheltenham, but concerns about his form tailing off now are countered by his proven ability on a quick surface.
The highlight for some today will be the appearance of the former dual-Champion Hurdle winner Hardy Eustace, who was retired at the start of the year, in the Charity Race that traditionally winds up the festival.
But the €90,000 handicap hurdle presents punters will a real teaser, especially since the dominant Willie Mullins pitches five runners into a race he won with Sesenta last year.
C’est Ca appears the Mullins number one, but this trip and the ground should be ideal for Deutschland, who can bounce back from a disappointing run when favourite for the Coral Cup at Cheltenham.
Oxx smelling of Roses
CHURCH ISLAND flies the Irish flag in Sandown’s feature chase on the final day of the British jumps season, but the return of the Irish Oaks runner-up, Roses For The Lady, at Navan tomorrow confirms the gathering momentum of the summer Flat campaign.
The John Oxx-trained filly is one of seven lining up for the Listed Vintage Crop Stakes, and Roses For The Lady appears to be a clear pick on official figures.
It will be very different ground to when she chased home Sariska at the Curragh last July, but Roses For The Lady has won on a fast surface before and gets allowances from her old rival Grace O'Malley.
Oxx and stable jockey Fran Berry will also fancy their chances in the Listed Salsabil Stakes after Hazarafa made a very positive impression when landing her maiden at Leopardstown.
