No Beef on the Fairyhouse menu
The Grade One contest had been the seven-year-old’s intended target since he scored on the Flat at the Curragh earlier this month, but with the going on the chase course described as good, good to firm in places, the gelding has been ruled out of the race.
“I’ve taken him out because the ground is too quick,” trainer Michael Hourigan said. “The horse is 100%, but he’s too good to take a chance.
“It’s a lot easier for me to say tomorrow why didn’t I run, rather than why did I.
“He’d possibly go to Punchestown if we get rain.”
Meanwhile Aidan O’Brien’s star four-year-olds High Chaparral and Hawk Wing are among the 23 entries revealed yesterday for the Golan EBF Mooresbridge Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday.
The Ballydoyle trainer also has 2001 St Leger winner Milan and Galileo’s brother Black Sam Bellamy in the 10-furlong Group Three contest.
Milan will be reappearing having raced only once last year when pulled up in this event after fracturing an off-fore cannon bone.
There are seven British entries including Jeremy Noseda’s Adiemus, the Mark Johnston-trained Albuhera, Andrew Balding’s grand campaigner Border Arrow and Richard Fahey’s John Smith’s Cup winner Vintage Premium.
O’Brien is responsible for 21 of the 37 entries in the Rock Of Gibraltar EBF Tetrarch Stakes including Sagitta 2000 Guineas favourite Hold That Tiger.
