RACING: Colonel Braxton is now a 20 to 1 shot for the Cheltenham Gold Cup after a winning performance at Fairyhouse yesterday that was a lot better than the bare figures might suggest.
Just two lengths separated him from Go Roger Go at the end of the Normans Grove Chase, but Colonel Braxton had given countless lengths away throughout the race by persistently jumping left.
It was particularly noticeable in the early stages as the Dessie Hughes-trained runner disputed the lead with Knife Edge.
But not surprisingly the longer the two-mile race went on the better Colonel Braxton got, and next time he will be on familiar territory in the Hennessy Gold Cup.
"He's a big leery devil and he needs a lead," Hughes said. "If you schooled him at home he would pull up in front but he is a very genuine horse and I have to be happy with that. The places he'll be going there will be no problem getting a lead. The main thing is he showed he is right."
Ladbrokes reacted by cutting Colonel Braxton's Gold Cup price to 20 to 1 from 25 to 1. The gelding's only previous visit to Cheltenham resulted in a fifth in last year's SunAlliance Chase.
Not content with Limestone Lad and Solerina, the Bowe family look to have unearthed another star in Florida Coast, who took the novice hurdle in a canter.
"If there is a reward for patience then I'm nominating myself!" quipped Michael Bowe. "We have been waiting so long and he has had so many problems." He added: "He is different to the others in that he is not a natural front runner and there were a few question-marks because it was his first run over hurdles in public. But he did it really well."
With Limestone Lad going for the AIG, Florida Coast could make a quick reappearance in Saturday's Bank Of Ireland Hurdle. What he did yesterday, however, was enough for Cashmans to make him a 25 to 1 shot for the SunAlliance Hurdle.
Champion trainer Noel Meade had his explanation noted after the stewards inquired into the running and riding of the unplaced Our Liberty in the opener.
Meade said jockey Patrick Stringer could have been more vigorous in the finishing stages and Stringer was severely cautioned to be seen to be making more of an effort in his future riding.
Liscannor Lad and Emmet dead-heated for the race after a rare battle from the last. Timmy Murphy stood in for the ride on Emmet in place of the injured Norman Williamson.
Meade had a happier experience in the handicap chase when Borora King outstayed everything else to beat the ex-hunter No Stranger by three lengths.
See The Lady sprang a 20 to 1 shock in the handicap hurdle and it was only marginally less of a surprise when the 14 to 1 Schwartzhalle came home ahead in the Beginners' Chase.
The market leaders in the bumper, Kronos Des Obeaux and Loss Of Faith, were comprehensively outspointed in the closing stages by the newcomer McGruders Cross.
Jockey Timmy Murphy was fined at Fairyhouse yesterday for using abusive language to the medical staff.
Murphy was also reported by the Turf Club doctor for failing to co-operate with the Order of Malta after a fall from Garsington in the Beginners' Chase.
Murphy later apologised and acknowledged he had used abusive language to the personnel and that he had failed to co-operate with them.
The stewards fined him €200 for "unacceptable behaviour".
