RACING NEWS ROUND-UP:THE WEIGHTS for the 139th running of the Powers Whiskey Irish Grand National have been announced with the Jim Dreaper-trained Notre Pere set to shoulder top weight of 11st 10lb along with The Tother One, from the Paul Nicholls yard.
The Easter Monday showpiece will include Cheltenham Cross Country victor A New Story, third last year in the Irish National, who has been allotted 10st. This veteran chaser’s stablemate Church Island, runner-up last year, will carry 10st 12lb, which is 13lb higher than last year.
The Kim Muir Chase winner at Cheltenham, Ballabriggs (11st 3lb), trained by Donald McCain, is joined on the list by the third placed in that race, Galant Nuit (10st 6lb). Another Cheltenham hero Poker De Sivola (10st 7lb), from the Ferdy Murphy stable, may attempt to follow up Granit D’Estruval’ s 2004 Irish National triumph for the same stable.
Poker De Sivola, given a super ride by Katie Walsh when winning the National Hunt four-mile Chase at Cheltenham, may renew rivalry with Becauseicouldntsee (10st 4lb), where Nina Carberry may exact revenge as the Noel Glynn-trained gelding will be in receipt of 3lb for a two-and-a-half-length defeat at the Cotswolds.
Willie Mullins has a strong entry of 14 horses headed by Betfair Novice Chase scorer at the Punchestown Festival last year, Equus Maximus (10st 12lb), along with Leinster National winner Ballytrim (10st 8lb). Also representing the Closutton stable is the Troytown Chase winner, Beroni, and The Midnight Club, placed in hurdles at the Cheltenham Festival last year and again last week, who have been allocated 10st 7lb and 10st 9lb respectively for the Fairyhouse spectacle.
Other notable entries include Paddy Power Chase winner Oscar Time (10st 10lb) while the UK raiders, former Grade One winner Air Force One and 2007 Welsh National victor Miko de Beauchene have been both allotted 11st.
Meanwhile, Punjabi will bid to rebuild his slightly tarnished reputation in the Rabobank Champion Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival. Nicky Henderson’s seven-year-old went into Cheltenham as the defending champion hurdler and hopes were high he could retain his crown after a confidence-boosting win at Kempton three weeks previously.
But after racing fairly prominently in the early stages, he dropped away tamely in the final half mile to finish ninth of the 12 runners.
Having won at Punchestown in 2007 and 2008 – he was also beaten a short head in this race last year – Punjabi may be sent over fences if he disappoints again.
“He’ll go to Ireland again for the Rabobank,” confirmed Tony Stafford, racing manager to Punjabi’s owner, Raymond Tooth. “Barry Geraghty said he was beaten three out, which was disappointing considering how everyone was expecting him to run. He was pretty much the first one of the fancied horses beaten.
“We haven’t discussed chasing yet with Nicky but it is an option, especially if he doesn’t show he is still bang up with them in Ireland.”
Cork trainer John Murphy says Newmill and Sheer Genius will feature at the Punchestown Festival.
Former Champion Chase winner Newmill missed Cheltenham with a damaged fetlock. Murphy said: “It is only a small problem but it may have been affecting him a little in recent times.
“He owes us nothing at this stage but returned to near his best with his win at Thurles the last day and he should be back on course for the Punchestown Festival.”
Murphy said Sheer Genius, eighth in the Cheltenham bumper last week, will run next in a bumper at the Punchestown Festival, adding: “that will be his last run of the season.”
Carlito Brigante will have another chance to prove his worth in the Ballymore Champion Hurdle at the same meeting. Gordon Elliott’s juvenile finished fourth behind Soldatino in the Triumph Hurdle when sent off the 7 to 2 favourite.
“He came out of the Triumph well but the ground was a bit softer than what he would have liked,” said Elliott. “On the day, that might be as good as he is. He’s a tough horse and he’ll get further in time.
“He’ll go to Punchestown next for the Grade One.”
