Slim Pickings put down after breaking leg

THE TOM TAAFFE-trained Slim Pickings, placed in the last two Aintree Grand Nationals, has had to be put down after breaking a leg. The horse was doing a routine piece of work when picking up a fatal injury.

“Unfortunately over the weekend he did a canter and broke his right-hind pastern. It was just an everyday canter on the sand and it’s just one of these unfortunate things that can happen to athletes,” Taaffe said yesterday.

Slim Pickings was third to Silver Birch in the 2007 National and finished fourth to Comply Or Die last year. He was ridden on both occasions by Barry Geraghty.

Taaffe had been preparing him for a third start over the big fences at Aintree but the trainer said: “He gave us two great days to remember. We can look forward to remembering the enjoyment he gave us on those good days. That’s the only way to look at it.”

Quiscover Fontaine has to concede weight all-round in today’s two-mile novice hurdle at Limerick but that shouldn’t prevent him landing the spoils. Emmet Mullins again teams up with the former smart bumper performer and his 5lb claim will be a big help in the likely testing conditions.

Quiscover Fontaine has to concede 11lb to the Tramore winner Porto Calero this afternoon but there was plenty of confidence in the way young Mullins rode his horse here at Christmas when overhauling Alpine Eagle in the closing stages.

Mullins could also fancy his chances in the handicap hurdle aboard the Thurles winner Whinstone Boy but Moving On, who is 11lb higher in the ratings for a 24-length victory here at Christmas, looks a safer option.

Askthemaster was part of some final fence carnage at Leopardstown on the last day of the Christmas festival but had run a fine race up to then and a clear round should put him in the firing line for the Beginners Chase.