RACING NEWS ROUND-UP:CATCH ME could be poised for a return to hurdling in an attempt to defend his €85,000 Bar One Hatton's Grace Hurdle crown at Fairyhouse in 12 days time.
Edward O’Grady’s horse has run twice over fences this season, winning at Cork first time out, but then throwing away probable victory at Navan nine days ago when crashing out at the final obstacle.
Catch Me has emerged unscathed from that experience but O’Grady is considering a return to the smaller jumps and the scene of his greatest triumph when edging out Brave Inca in the 2008 renewal of the two and a half mile Grade One.
The in-form trainer, who enjoyed a memorable weekend with Tranquil Sea’s Paddy Power Gold Cup triumph and Jumbo Rio only just denied a Grade One triumph on Sunday at Auteuil, also has another novice chaser, Osana, among the 14 entries left in the Hatton’s Grace.
However, he said yesterday: “The Hatton’s Grace is not an option for Osana but it may be an option for Catch Me.
“Looking at the race he would obviously have a very good chance if he did run and it is possible a run back over hurdles might help his confidence, if his confidence was dented by the fall the last day.”
Both horses also feature among the entries for the Drinmore Chase on the same triple Grade One card but the Hatton’s Grace could be an attractive alternative for Catch Me with the likes of the 2007 victor Aitmatov and the Coral Cup winner Ninetieth Minute among the current contenders.
The Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown may be the next target for Jumbo Rio who only just failed to beat the JP McManus owned Rock Noir in Paris at the weekend.
“He was pretty bushed at the end of the race. The winner had a pacemaker and they went a fantastic pace. It turned into a race of attrition. But he ran very well and if he comes out of it okay the Leopardstown race might be for him. If he doesn’t, then we’ll wait for the new year,” O’Grady added.
Tranquil Sea has come out of his Cheltenham heroics in good shape but no firm plans for his next start have been made.
This Saturday’s Betfair Chase will see the return to action of Kauto Star but even the appearance of the triple King George and dual Gold Cup winner isn’t putting Jim Dreaper off considering Haydock’s Grade One for his stable star Notre Pere.
The Welsh National and Punchestown Gold Cup winner was a shock faller on his seasonal reappearance at Down Royal and Dreaper is keen to get Notre Pere’s campaign back on track quickly.
“He is a possible runner as things stand. He has come out of Down Royal fine and it was just one of those things that can happen in racing,” the Co Dublin trainer said yesterday.
“He will do a schooling session on Tuesday and we will delay a decision until after that. At the moment there is a chance he will go over to Haydock, especially if the ground is soft.
“I wouldn’t be concerned about taking on Kauto Star. We need to get Notre Pere running after his blip the other day. We could wait for the Hennessy but we are inclined to go for the first race available to him,” he added.
A total of 13 horses remain in the Haydock feature, also including Madison Du Berlais and Barbers Shop who is owned by Queen Elizabeth.
Tomorrow’s rearranged Clonmel card hinges on the track passing an 8.30 inspection this morning. The going was heavy yesterday but a bad weather forecast has forced the calling of an early inspection.
“It means it is before declaration time and will give everybody a chance to reassess the situation,” a Turf Club spokesman said yesterday.
The card, featuring the Grade Two Clonmel Oil Chase, was originally cancelled last Thursday due to waterlogging at the Co Tipperary track.
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