Columns - Irish Examiner

Pat Keane

Air Force Blue - but only if the price is right!

THE best English 2000 Guineas winner I have seen was El Gran Senor, trained by Vincent O’Brien.

Sat, 30 Apr, 2016

The jury's still out on US Army Ranger, but I remain a believer

Aren’t you just bursting, like me, to see Aidan O’Brien’s once-raced US Army Ranger in action again?

Sat, 23 Apr, 2016

2016 Cheltenham Festival - Champion Day - Cheltenham Racecourse

Could Willie Mullins pay price for Aintree offensive?

Next Tuesday week will see the start of the Punchestown festival and there is going to be a somewhat unusual feel to it.

Sat, 16 Apr, 2016

Irish racing owes the Limerick stewards a debt of gratitude

There is a perception in Irish racing that when the stewards spring into serious action you can be reasonably certain those on the receiving end will qualify as “little guys’’.

Sat, 09 Apr, 2016

John Ferguson facing stiff task to rejuvenate Godolphin

The Racing Post produced a fascinating front page story on Tuesday relating to Sheikh Mohammed’s Godolphin operation attempting to take on Ballydoyle-Coolmore in a far more meaningful manner.

Sat, 02 Apr, 2016

Two to keep in mind going forward post-Cheltenham

There are two horses that got beaten at Cheltenham who are worthy of the closest inspection going forward, namely Alpha Des Obeaux and Valseur Lido.

Sat, 26 Mar, 2016

Willie Mullins has no case to answer in my book

Well, Willie Mullins didn’t half pull a rabbit out of a hat when telling the mighty Vautour to sidestep yesterday’s Gold Cup at Cheltenham and instead win the Ryanair Chase on Thursday.

Sat, 19 Mar, 2016

Limini looks a star in the making

The three best mares we have seen since Dawn Run, with the exception of the 1994 Champion Hurdle winner, Flakey Dove, have all been trained by Willie Mullins, namely Annie Power, Quevega and Vroum Vroum Mag.

Thu, 17 Mar, 2016

No More Heroes can land RSA Chase

Gordon Elliott has given No More Heroes a perfect preparation and the imposing seven-year- old is fancied to land the RSA Chase at Cheltenham today.

Wed, 16 Mar, 2016

Silver Concorde set to take flight in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle

Take a chance on Dermot Weld’s Silver Concorde, each way, getting us off to the perfect start in the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham today.

Tue, 15 Mar, 2016