Columns - Irish Examiner

Pat Keane

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

Testing times for Willie Mullins

It is about two months since Gigginstown shocked the racing world and removed 60 horses from the care of Willie Mullins.

Sat, 26 Nov, 2016

Thistlecrack still a work in progress

On the one-hand you can understand why Thistlecrack is the 7-2 favourite for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, but it also defies logic, if that’s not too much of a contradiction.

Sat, 19 Nov, 2016

Valseur Lido looks a genuine contender

Valseur Lido certainly struck an early blow for Cheltenham Gold Cup consideration with that stunning victory last Saturday in the Grade One JNwine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal.

Sat, 12 Nov, 2016

Stewards must be seen to be policing the game

It was a little surprising that Nina Carberry didn’t find herself before the stewards, following the bumper at Wexford on Monday.   

Sat, 05 Nov, 2016

Bondi Beach to rule the Melbourne Cup

Anyone else looking forward to getting up at 3.45am next Tuesday to watch the Melbourne Cup?

Sat, 29 Oct, 2016