Wherever Shay Barry goes over the weekend, he can be assured of a high octane reception from those returning from the National Hunt Festival. For after a stream of beaten Irish favourites, three of them on the final afternoon, Barry, aboard Jessica's Harrington's Space Trucker, must have salvaged a shoal of deep-in-trouble backers in the Cheltenham Grand Annual Chase.
The Racing Post's break down of on-course recorded large wagers shows that, over the three days, only Shannon Gale and Florida Pearl were backed to win more money, the pay out being in excess of £600,000, including a single wager of £50,000 at 9 to 2.
The best of the Barry mounts at Gowran Park today and Leopardstown tomorrow looks to be Moral Support in the Kilgobbin Beginners' Chase (5-0) on Sunday where he will be tackling three miles for the first time.
He has, however, always looked a horse that is crying out for a distance and was galloping on at the end of 2m 6f at Limerick when second to Lord Heavens.
Sue Bramall had Cheltenham on the agenda for Frezenium, but after his win here on Champion Hurdle day plans were revised when he was well beaten behind Take Control at Naas. That was a wise decision, as for the first time the Irish bumpers were hung out to dry. Reverting to Leopardstown, Frezenium will go close in the Glasthule Flat Race.
For the nap, Saxophone is the one in the Careysfort Hurdle. Jim Dreaper is not a man to overrate his chances in any race, so the pre-race confidence he evinced in Saxophone at Fairyhouse was most significant. What is more, Saxophone justified him with a cantering win.
It is a historic day down Limerick way tomorrow when Greenpark, a racecourse that resembles the Phoenix Park in that it, too, was within walking distance of the City, hosts its last fixture.
It would be appropriate if Andrew McNamara, who trains in the county, were to win the last event on the card. He has a decent challenger for the bumper in the shape of Heavenly Buck.
After the Nick Dundee tragedy, no one will begrudge Edward O'Grady a whopping bit of luck. His hunter chaser Sheltering (2-20) was an eye catching winner at the Bray Harriers point-to-point.
Frances Crowley has gone a long stretch without a winner and the same can be said of her smart but luckless juvenile hurdler, Golden Rule (2-50).
Bookmakers who lay morning prices in Ireland knew that there was a "Patrick" in the name of Tony Martin's apprentice J P Elliott after he landed a tidy touch on Inny Lady from fancy prices at Limerick, the mare being trained by his master.
He is value for his 7lb claim and his mount, Mrs Battle (3-30), is napped at Gowran Park this afternoon when there is a Jackpot carry over of almost £66,000. This is a tough mare who never runs a bad race.
Streamstown (2.30) is no Istabrq but her trainer and rider Charlie Swan will still get a thrill if the partnership is upto the task of winning the Gowran opener. He shaped well at Leopardstown behind Take Five.
When ever there is a big steeplechase down for decision in England, one can be sure that the Costello name will come into the pre-race discussion, so many good horses having been through Tom's hands. The family can be on the mark on their own account with the well named You Know Best (30) bidding for the Tetratema Cup.
