IMPERIAL CALL is stiff and sore following his last fence fall in Saturday's MMI Stockbrokers Chase at Punchestown. He sustained a lump, some bruising and abrasions to the inner section of his elbow, or that portion of the fore arm which might have resulted in one of his plates striking him as he fell awkwardly.
Trainer Fergie Sutherland said yesterday that he hopes the Gold Cup winner will be all right in some days and in time to prepare him for his bid in the Ericsson Chase at the Leopardstown Christmas meeting.
Sutherland was yesterday presented with the inaugural Goffs 1996 Irish Racing Personality of the Year Award - judged by a panel of Irish racing journalists - at a luncheon in Goffs at which the 21st anniversary edition of the Irish Racing Annual was launched by its editor and racing editor Raymond Smith and Tom MacGinty.
Present among a wide section of racing personalities was Imperial Call's jockey Conor O'Dwyer, the first to blame himself for the horse's fall on Saturday.
To the delight of the guests Fergie Sutherland said in his short acceptance speech: "There are two kinds of people, black and white. Black can do no right and white no wrong, but as far as my jockey is concerned, he can do no wrong!"
Of course, one must not forget that Imperial Call was only a second season novice when he won the Gold Cup last March - and a novice that attained stardom in a vertiginous space of time. A more experienced chaser would have fiddled through that last fence blunder. It is to be profoundly hoped that he recovers quickly, for this young chaser could yet be the best Ireland has produced since the peerless Arkle.
The 164 page edition of the Irish Racing Annual gives special coverage to Cheltenham, recapturing in pictures and script the intoxicating scenes in the winner's enclosure after Imperial Call had won the Gold Cup. And not alone Imperial Call but the other six Irish trained winners at this most memorable of Festival meetings are dealt with.
As in the other 20 editions the annual features profiles of trainers and jockeys and our leading Flat trainers, Dermot Weld, John Oxx, Jim Bolger and Aidan O'Brien discuss their classic prospects for next season.
There are profiles of some of the up and coming Irish born National Hunt jockeys who are making their mark in Britain at the moment, namely, Tony McCoy, Mick Fitzgerald and Paul Carberry and in the Flat section a profile of Clare born Kieren Fallon who will be riding as number one to the powerful Henry Cecil stable next campaign.
Republic of Ireland soccer international Niall Quinn's move into launching Racing Clubs is dealt with in a special feature.
The Irish Racing Annual which also sells well in Britain is a must for racing fans and this anniversary edition, retailing at a modest £5.95, is one punters will choose to keep in their libraries.
. Cheltenham's £35,000 added Bonusprint Bula Hurdle on Saturday could lose some of its sparkle unless the rains arrive in time. Oliver Sherwood's Large Action, who returned to form with a vengeance at Fairyhouse recently, will not be risked if the ground is too firm.
Aidan O'Brien has entered Urubande and Theatreworld, a well beaten third behind Large Action last time in the Grade Two contest. Urubande finished second to Zabadi in the Gerry Feilden Hurdle at Newbury last month and O'Brien said yesterday: "At the moment I won't know who runs until Tuesday. If Urubande pleases me then I'll send him, otherwise I'll run Theatreworld."
. Veteran hurdler Mole Board collapsed and died yesterday from a heart attack trapping trainer Jim Old underneath him. Old was left with bruising following the tragic loss of the 14 year old, his all time favourite horse.
Mole Board - the oldest horse to run in the Champion Hurdle at 13 and the oldest to gain prize money in the big race a year earlier - was due to make his seasonal debut at Haydock on Saturday.
