Paradise beckons again for Foley

Racing Leopardstown Christmas FestivalBrian O'Connor talks to Co Carlow trainer Tom Foley

If either of you reading this can contact Mick Fitzgerald and get him to ring Tom Foley, then the Co Carlow trainer would be grateful. That's because the man who brought us the epic story that was Danoli is in a hurry to make plans again.

It's over four and a half years since Danoli retired from racing and took up residence as a genuine tourist attraction at the Irish National Stud. Go back another six years and there was the riotous joy that greeted the SunAlliance success and the acres of newsprint devoted to whether or not the famously unassuming Foley would have to wear a tie in the Cheltenham winners' enclosure.

In between, the story dipped and soared like an opera.

Who can forget Danoli's famously steaming verdict on the Late Late Show when Gay Byrne had to indulge in some fancy footwork. Or the leg injury that almost ended his career only for a triumphant return that would have done justice to a Rocky movie.

In the middle of it all was Foley, conducting himself with a dignity and generosity that repelled all attempts by a sometimes ravenous media to turn the feelgood story of the 1990s into some sort of cartoon. Well, he's back and he's got a horse to talk about again.

Royal Paradise may have arrived at the Bagenalstown stables via Chantilly but Foley is confident he will end up where it counts next March at Cheltenham.

"He's going to Cheltenham but I don't want to run him too many times before it. One more and then straight would be great. He's in a couple of days at Leopardstown and I'd love to run him on Monday if Mick Fitzgerald, who will ride him at the festival, can come over," he said yesterday.

Monday's race is the Grade Two Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle and Royal Paradise has already done enough to suggest an appearance there will cause no harm to the trade descriptions act.

Trained last season by Francois Doumen, he won at Sandown before running fourth in the Cheltenham bumper. It was during the summer though that Foley and Dublin solicitor Pat Delaney moved to bring Royal Paradise from Paris to Carlow.

"I can take no credit. Pat heard about him, there was a price laid out, and he said if he liked the horse, and he passed the vet, he'd pay it," Foley said.

Two wins at Roscommon and Naas justified the new owner's faith and a third to Wild Passion and Rocket Ship in the Grade One Royal Bond Hurdle last month only confirmed the expenditure. The trainer is convinced though that the best is yet to come.

"I hate making the running for others but at Fairyhouse we had to or else we'd still be waiting for them to finish!" he said.

"That's why I'm looking forward to Cheltenham so much. There will be a real pace there and I believe that will suit a real good horse. We'll look at both novice races but the SunAlliance is possibly more likely."

There is an understandable bounce in Foley's step again at having the chance to play in the big time.

"It means an awful lot. We're been waiting a long time since Danoli and it's important we get this horse to give a good account of himself. I believe he will be a good horse if we look after him. He's still immature but he has real talent.

"There is no comparison with Danoli. They're like chalk and cheese. Danoli was so competitive even in his work. This fellah is happy to do what you ask him to. He's like a good car that way, he can go in whatever gear you want," he said.

Having said all that, however, the new boy still has some work to do to challenge the special place Danoli still holds with the trainer.

"I go up to the National Stud sometimes and he seems to be the kind of horse that still knows you. It's lovely the number of people, from here and England, who still go to see him. It's the best place for him because he is a horse that will never be forgotten," Foley said.

Royal Paradise might never reach that level of public affection but at least there is a chance he could, and that will do his trainer.

"Memories are great," he said yesterday. "But it's nice to have a good one in reality again."