Silver going to Naas

RACING NEWS:WILLIE MULLINS is set to run his star two-miler Golden Silver in a Grade Two at Naas on Sunday but no decision has been taken on which target the horse will have at the Cheltenham festival.

Golden Silver is as low as 6 to 1 for the Queen Mother Champion Chase after his defeat of Big Zeb at Punchestown last time but is also a 10 to 1 shot for the Ryanair over two miles and five furlongs next month. He is one of seven entries in the Paddy Power Chase on Sunday and Mullins said yesterday: “The ground looks like being suitable so Golden Silver will probably run at Naas.”

The champion trainer also has Scotsirish in that Naas race and that horse also features among entries for Ascot’s Betfair Chase and Gowran’s Red Mills Trial Chase on Saturday. “It looks like being a hot race at Ascot so I would imagine he will run in one of the races at home,” Mullins added.

Although Clonmel was cleared yesterday to race today the threat of significant overnight rain has forced officials to have another look at 8am this morning. If cleared the JP McManus colours can be carried to victory in the Porterstown Chase by See U Bob.

See U Bob fell at the third last in a Grade Two at Down Royal in November behind The Nightingale but has something in hand of today’s opposition on official ratings. His last start over hurdles behind Prima Vista wasn’t too bad and it could be worth placing your faith in the handicapper’s opinion.

Curragh Grey showed a lot of guts to win at Thurles last time and a penalty for that means she has to carry topweight in the novice handicap chase. However, she is a course and distance winner and cannot be discounted in her current form.

Murtaght o team up with Anam Chara

CO TYRONE-based trainer Andrew Oliver has secured the services of Johnny Murtagh for his runner Anam Chara in tomorrow's Group Two feature at Meydan in Dubai, writes Brian O'Connor.

Five other Irish-trained horses are also to take their chance at the track today.

Both Curragh trainers Michael Halford and Tracey Collins are doubly represented by Invincible Ash and Rock Jock respectively in a six-furlong handicap and by Across The Rhine and Hujaylea in a seven-furlong handicap.

Sabrina Harty’s Bravely Fought goes in a mile-and-three-furlong handicap on the artificial Tapeta surface under jockey Richard Hughes.