HRI PRESS OFFICE

Full steam ahead for Laurina and Cheltenham following Punchestown success Willie Mullins declared it “job done” as Laurina teed herself up for a crack at the Unibet Champion Hurdle with a smooth display in the Smart Money’s On Coral Quevega Mares Hurdle at Punchestown. The six-year-old is now unbeaten in six starts since her move from France, and she already has a Chelten

Penhill nearing peak to defend Stayers’ title Willie Mullins hopes to have Penhill in peak condition for his bid to retain his Sun Racing Stayers’ Hurdle crown next month. The Tony Bloom-owned gelding took the staying honours on his seasonal debut last year, and that has been the plan this time. “He’s fine. He went away yesterday and is coming

Cilaos Emery is Arkle doubt Willie Mullins has raised a doubt about his Racing Post Arkle hopeful Cilaos Emery making it to the Cheltenham Festival. The seven-year-old, impressive on his only start over fences to date, subsequently pulled a muscle when schooling. As a result, Mullins predicts the next seven days will have a hu

Carlo Biraghi to miss Triumph after setback Carlo Biraghi has suffered a setback which has ruled him out of the JCB Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham next month. The Galileo gelding had put himself in the picture for the juvenile championship by winning a 22-runner maiden hurdle at Punchestown on his jumps debut last month. But trainer Fozzy Stack

Harrie’s Festival claims face acid test at Thurles Members of Supreme Horse Racing Club are hoping Harrie can join their team for the Cheltenham Festival with a good display in Thurles’ BetVictor Michael Purcell Memorial Novice Hurdle. With Gold Cup hope Kemboy and Supreme Novices’ candidate Aramon already in their ranks, victory for Harrie in Thurs

O’Connor trip worthwhile as Kilfilum scores at Ludlow Leading Irish amateur Derek O’Connor was a rare visitor to Ludlow- but he did not leave empty-handed after winning on Kilfilum Cross. O’Connor is usually a wanted man at this time of year, with the Cheltenham Festival on the horizon, but he is not usually sighted at the midweek meetings. It was Henr

Klassical’s Festival target is headscratcher for Mullins Deciding on Klassical Dream’s Cheltenham Festival target is giving Willie Mullins a headache. The French import is already a Grade One winner, having just come out on top in a terrific tussle with stablemate Aramon for the Chanelle Pharma Novice Hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival. While Mullins is

Liz Lalor claims landmark victory at Nenagh Liz Lalor enjoyed a landmark success on Sunday at Nenagh point-to-point, partnering her 100th winner ‘between the flags’. All the more remarkable, it was her initial ride back since giving birth to a baby girl named Alex just over five weeks ago. The seven-time champion point-to-point lady rider par

Hannon camp mull weekend options John McConnell’s promising juvenile hurdler Hannon will run this weekend – but where that will be is still undecided. A winner at Musselburgh on New Year’s Day, Hannon had been an intended runner back at the Edinburgh track for their Cheltenham Trials meeting which was lost first to frost and then t

Ascot Gold Cup hero Big Orange retired due to injury Michael Bell has been forced to call time on the career of Big Orange after his old injury flared up. Winner of the 2017 Gold Cup at Royal Ascot in a thrilling battle with Order Of St George, he also won the Goodwood Cup twice and two Princess of Wales’s Stakes at Newmarket. Owned by Bill and Tim Gr

Percy is ’50-50' for Bobbyjo – owner Philip Reynolds Owner Philip Reynolds rates it a “50-50” chance his Cheltenham Gold Cup favourite Presenting Percy will take up his entry in the BetVictor Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse. Trainer Pat Kelly threw a curve ball last weekend when not declaring the dual Cheltenham Festival winner for the Red Mills Chase at

Gordon Elliott hoping Apple’s Jade can seize Champion Hurdle chance Gordon Elliott believes Apple’s Jade has gone from “strength to strength” this season as he prepares the mare for a crack at the Unibet Champion Hurdle. The seven-year-old has won 14 of her 20 races, 10 of those at the highest level, but it was her performance in the Irish Champion Hurdle last time

Tiger Roll continues to surprise and delight Elliott Gordon Elliott admits Tiger Roll surprised him by slamming the opposition in the Boyne Hurdle at Navan as he warmed up for his big annual targets at Cheltenham and Aintree. The Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase, followed by the Grand National – both of which Tiger Roll won last season – beckon for the

Samcro’s Cheltenham bid still in balance Whether Samcro turns up at the Cheltenham Festival is likely to be decided in the next 10 days – according to Gordon Elliott. Last year’s star novice hurdler has failed to win this season – at Down Royal, Newcastle and Leopardstown – and after defeat at the latter, it was revealed he was suffering f

Battleoverdoyen heads for Ballymore Battleoverdoyen is set to lead trainer Gordon Elliott’s raid on the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. The County Meath handler believes the six-year-old, who is unbeaten, will be favoured by the two-mile five-furlong test. “I didn’t run him at the Dublin Racing Festival, because

Doctor Phoenix in line to defend his Naas title Last year’s winner Doctor Phoenix is one of nine entries for the WhatOddsPaddy? Chase at Naas. Gordon Elliott’s 11-year-old has been on an eight-race losing run since he took this Grade Three prize by 13 lengths from Alisier D’Irlande in 2018. Elliott has also given this option to Ball D’Arc, Cuboma