Columns - Irish Examiner

Pat Keane

Testing times for Rich Ricci

The difference colourful American racehorse owner, Rich Ricci, has made to the Willie Mullins yard cannot be underestimated.

Sat, 04 Feb, 2017

Erratic Yorkhill one to be avoided at all costs

There’s no dressing it up, that was simply a very disappointing effort on the part of Yorkhill at Leopardstown last Sunday.

Sat, 28 Jan, 2017

Unsung Mark Walsh makes his mark

Mark Walsh is rapidly developing into one of the unsung heroes of Irish National Hunt racing.

Sat, 21 Jan, 2017

Is this any way to run the racing business?

National Hunt racing is on a high in Ireland and recent evidence suggests the public cannot get enough of the game.

Sun, 15 Jan, 2017

Valseur Lido stays three miles - he just needs testing ground

When Gigginstown’s Valseur Lido faded, rather dramatically, from the final fence in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown the general reaction was that he simply didn’t stay the three miles.

Sat, 07 Jan, 2017

Thistlecrack Gold Cup quotes derisory

Last week we praised Colin Tizzard’s decision of Colin Tizzard to throw Thistlecrack in at the deep end in Monday’s King George Chase at Kempton.

Sat, 31 Dec, 2016

Death Duty clearly a star in the making

That Death Duty of Gordon Elliott’s is potentially some horse, writes Pat Keane.

Sat, 24 Dec, 2016

Here's why Douvan should be aimed at the Gold Cup

If Willie Mullins sticks to the tried and trusted system that has served him so well there’s no doubt Douvan will head for the two-mile Champion Chase at Cheltenham, with a possible tilt at the Gold Cup put back to 2018.

Sat, 17 Dec, 2016

Min-mania could be set to return

This week the entries for Leopardstown at Christmas were unveiled and one of the more interesting races promise to be the Grade 1 Racing Post Novice Chase on St Stephen’s Day.

Sat, 10 Dec, 2016

Gordon Elliott a man on a mission

It might be an exaggeration to say it represented a changing of the guard, but that unprecedented six-timer by Gordon Elliott at Navan last Sunday was some statement of intent.

Sat, 03 Dec, 2016