John O'Riordan

Ireland

Weekly Columnist and Feature Writer at THE IRISH FIELD

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Articles

Alakazi set to step up in class in Tetrarch Stakes

14 hours ago | irishracing.com | John O'Riordan

Recent impressive Leopardstown maiden winner Alakazi will put his credentials to the test when stepping up into Listed class in the Tetrarch Stakes on his next run. A promising seventh on his racecourse debut at the Foxrock track last October, the Johnny Murtagh trained colt returned to the County Dublin venue to open his account earlier this month. Leading over a furlong out, the Aga Khan owned three-year-old stretched right away to score by seven-and-a-half lengths.
FAIRYHOUSE TUESDAY PREVIEW: Chase winner can take advantage of low hurdles mark

4 days ago | theirishfield.ie | John O'Riordan

2.15 Race Displays Joseph O’Reilly Hunters Chase 3m 1f 15ydRyehill can resume his progress, provided he is over his Cheltenham exertions. Ross O’Sullivan’s gelding had looked a leading contender for the Foxhunters after an impressive win at Naas on his penultimate start. However, having struggled in the initial stages of the festival race, he was never really involved. The gelding arguably did quite well to finish mid-division at the finish given how things panned out.
Tyner lands another valuable sales bumper with I'm Slippy

4 days ago | irishracing.com | John O'Riordan

Having landed some valuable sales bumpers over the years, Cork trainer Robert Tyner was at it again as debutant I'm Slippy kept on best to claim the concluding Tattersalls Ireland George Mernagh Memorial Sales Bumper at Fairyhouse. A half-brother to a maiden hurdle winner, out of a winning dam, the four-year-old knew his job despite showing obvious signs of greenness.
Cork treble, six on the day for Mullins as Doctor Du Mesnil lands finale

4 days ago | irishracing.com | John O'Riordan

Champion trainer Willie Mullins sent out his sixth winner of the afternoon as the Jody Townened ridden Doctor Du Mesnil made at impressive winning debut in the concluding Finbarr Quaid Electrical (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race at Cork. An unraced son of Doctor Dino, from the family of Lord Du Mesnil, the debutant created a very favourable impression to justify 11/8f with the minimum of fuss.
Drop The Anchor rolls back the years to beat Money Heist

4 days ago | irishracing.com | John O'Riordan

The Pat Fahy trained Drop The Anchor showed that he still had plenty life left in him despite his advancing years when staying on late to win the Paddy Kehoe Suspended Ceilings Handicap Hurdle at Fairyhouse. A three-time winner over hurdles, the 11-year-old also landed his bumper and perhaps most significantly, the Naas November Handicap on the Flat.
Mirazur West a fifth for Mullins on the day

4 days ago | irishracing.com | John O'Riordan

Willie Mullins trained a fifth winner on Easter Sunday, as Mirazur West made all the running to land the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase at Cork. Following earlier wins at this track, Fairyhouse and Plumpton respectively, the reigning Irish and British Champion Trainer was adding to an excellent afternoon. Sent straight to the front by Jody McGarvey, the well backed 8/11f jumped well in the main, having his rivals on the stretch from early on.
Icare d'Aubrelle another Fairyhouse winner for Cooper

4 days ago | irishracing.com | John O'Riordan

Trainer Thomas Cooper continued his recent good form at Fairyhouse when Icare D'Aubrelle opened his account over jumps in the Ryan's Cleaning Maiden Hurdle at the County Meath track. Tralee based Cooper had struck with another maiden winner Butch Hollow on his previous visit to the track earlier this month. Like this afternoons victor, that latter horse was also owned by Ciaran Mooney.
Mullins closes gap as Absurde leads home 1-2 in Plumpton

4 days ago | irishracing.com | John O'Riordan

Willie Mullins closed the gap on Dan Skelton in the British Trainers Championship as Absurde led home a stable 1-2 in the featured BetGoodwin Sussex Champion Hurdle Handicap Hurdle at Plumpton. Ridden by Harry Cobden, the well backed 9/4f proved far too strong for the home team, leading approaching the last before streaking clear for an emphatic four-and-three-quarter length success.
Gilligan on the double as Nelson County scores for O'Sullivan

4 days ago | irishracing.com | John O'Riordan

Having been amongst the winners earlier in the afternoon, Danny Gilligan brought up a double as the Ross O'Sullivan trained Nelson County stayed on strongest to land the Hibernian Hotel Mallow Handicap Hurdle at Cork. A former point-to-point runner-up, the five-year-old had shown promise in maiden hurdles before stepping up in trip to finish third at Fairyhouse on his handicap debut.
Walsh's Buachaill lands tidy gamble in Fairyhouse Rated Chase

4 days ago | irishracing.com | John O'Riordan

The Ted Walsh trained Buachaillbocht landed a gamble when easily accounting for the opposition in the Sherry Fitzgerald Sherry Rated Novice Chase at Fairyhouse. Available at 40/1 in the morning, the J.P. McManus owned gelding was strongly supported right down to 7/2 at the off. Wearing first time blinkers, the three-time winner over hurdles exploited a chase mark which was 9lb lower.