Wayne Bailey

1 week ago | independent.ie | Wayne Bailey

Gavin Cromwell’s Serienmond set for success at FairyhouseTrainer Gavin Cromwell is hoping to get off the mark early at the Fairyhouse Easter Festival. Photo by Thomas Doolin/SportsfileThe Fairyhouse Easter meeting, which culminates in the Irish Grand National on Monday, kicks off today, and there are a few that stand out as decent betting opportunities. Chief among them is Serienmond, which is having his second run for Gavin Cromwell after switching from Tony Mullins’ yard.

1 week ago | independent.ie | Wayne Bailey

I won’t pretend to be an expert on ancient Greece, but I read somewhere that the phrase “leave no stone unturned” comes from a legend involving the Oracle of Delphi. She supposedly advised a general named Polycrates to search under every stone for treasure left by a defeated enemy – advice that came to symbolise thoroughness. There are some horse races where we’ve got very little to go on when studying the form, but in veteran handicap chases there’s no excuse for cutting corners.

2 weeks ago | independent.ie | Wayne Bailey

Wayne Bailey: Snipe can help Dan Skelton tackle Willie Mullins juggernaut at AyrDan Skelton's Snipe is tipped for the Scottish Grand National at Ayr today. Fresh from his incredible success in last week’s Aintree Grand National, where he had five of the first seven finishers including the winner Nick Rockett, Willie Mullins sends a strong team to Ayr today. Mullins continues to defend his title in the British Trainer Championship, which concludes at Sandown on April 26.

3 weeks ago | independent.ie | Wayne Bailey

If you’re old enough to remember the resignation of US president Richard Nixon, ABBA flying high in the charts with Waterloo, and transport strikes across Ireland, you might also remember Red Rum winning the Grand National. That was in 1974 – the second of Red Rum’s record three victories in the great steeplechase, the last of which came in 1977. Trained by Ginger McCain, Red Rum’s 1974 victory was also the last time a horse carried the maximum weight to victory, a full 12 stone on the day.

1 month ago | independent.ie | Wayne Bailey

Wayne Bailey: Midnight Gun primed to buck trend of outsiders in the Lincoln at DoncasterPoint Lynas winning at Newmarket last season – Edward Bethell’s charge can strike again in today’s Doncaster Mile. Photo: Tim Goode/PA Images via Getty ImagesWe’re in that limbo period where the Flat turf season is just getting going; it started in Ireland last week and kicks off across the water today, but major jumps festivals are still on the horizon.