O'Brien puts Tiger on hold for Gladness

RACING NEWS: Aidan O'Brien has not finally committed the 2,000 Guineas favourite Hold That Tiger to a reappearance in Sunday's Gladness Stakes.

Bad weather disrupted the work programme at Ballydoyle yesterday morning, but O'Brien can pick from a strong team for the Curragh's Group Three Trial.

Half of the 18 entries are O'Brien-trained three-year-olds, including Hold That Tiger and Tomahawk.

A decision on which of the classic prospects will run this weekend could be made today.

O'Brien did indicate, however, that he is unlikely to have a runner in Sunday's Prix Noailles at Longchamp, won last year by Ballingarry.

The Ballydoyle trainer has already had a juvenile winner this season and there are some names to remember among the newly-named two-year-olds waiting on the sidelines.

Galileo's full sister has been called All Too Beautiful, while Rock Of Gibraltar's full brother has been given the name Rock Of Cashel.

The half-brother to the St Leger winner Milan is called Go For Gold, while the full sister to King Of Kings has been named Lucky.

Other names to look out for include the Sadlers Wells colts Napoleon, Yeats, Wolfe Tone and Meath.

Clonmel stages a mixed card this afternoon and with the forecast "good" ground. Dermot Weld looks capable of giving punters the ideal start in the fillies maiden with Humilis.

The Sadlers Wells filly was, not surprisingly, running on well at the end of a seven furlong maiden on her Curragh debut behind Good Day Too. The mile and a quarter today should be ideal.

Staged is a significant four-year-old runner in the Sheikh Mohammed colours, and the John Oxx-trained runner should be dangerous in the mile and a half maiden.

Charmante Femme may repeat a previous course and distance success in the 0-60 handicap, while Windswept Leader should be worth an interest in the maiden hurdle.

Milford Rose ran second to The Moyne Machine previously and could be up to beating Husdale in the mares Beginners Chase.

The Punchestown authorities are looking further ahead to the end of the month when the richest ever festival runs from April 29th-May 2nd.

They announced yesterday a prize fund of over €1.5 million over the four days, which will contain 10 Grade One races.

Festival organisers are expecting more than 80,000 to attend.

The ground at the Co Kildare course is currently described as "good" and the track manager Andy Coyle said: "We have the resources to water and we are confident of getting good ground at the end of April."