Wexford base for many top trainers
Tipperary a successful one when winning with 'Moscow Broge' in the first division of the older geldings' maiden. Ridden by their son, Jimmy, the seven-year-old 'Moscow Society' gelding was sent to the front some way from home and stayed on well to win. O'rourke trains in Silver Spring, Bridgetown, and indicated afterwards that he will try the horse in a winners' race prior to giving him a go on the track.
Colin Motherway went back to his native County Cork and had a winner with 'Danandy' in the opening four-year-old maiden. This 'Cloudings' gelding, a runnerup when fancied at Ballydarragh, duly won here in the colours of owner/breeder Mary Motherway. Motherway not only rode the horse but he trains it as well, with reports indicating that he will be in the sales ring in the not too distant future.
LEOPARDSTOWN
It's nearly here..you can hardly contain yourself..no, not the man in the red suit..not the turkey, but something of much greater importance..christmas racing at Leopardstown!
Our two top National Hunt yards are well represented in the headline races over the four days, with both Colm Murphy and Paul Nolan holding multiple entries. Racing opens on December 26 with the Grade 1 Racing Post Novice Steeplechase. This event over two miles, one furlong sees Paul Nolan with two entries, both in the colours of Gigginstown House Stud, 'Far Away So Close' and 'Westmeath'.
December 27 sees Colm Murphy's ' Big Zeb' hold an entry in the Grade 1 Paddy Power Dial a Bet Chase, with Nolan's 'Noble Prince' also holding an entry here.
The big handicap chase on the same Paddy Power day sees Nolan's 'See U Bob' and ' Adams Island', Murphy's ' The Hard Hat' and Liz Doyle's 'Twelfth of Never' all amongst the 69 entries.
The third day sees John Berry giving an entry to 'Give Us A Hand' in the Fort Leney Grade 1 Chase, with Paul Nolan also represented with ' Shinrock Paddy' and 'Westmeath'. The Lexus on the same card has 'Joncol' on duty for Nolan and 'Quito De La Roque' for Murphy, with 'Voler La Vedette' in the Festival Hurdle on the last day for Colm Murphy.
