O’Regan’s Leap of faith
O’Regan has enjoyed a memorable first season as Howard Johnson’s retained rider and broke his Cheltenham Festival duck on Tidal Bay in the Arkle and topped that by partnering Inglis Drever to a record-breaking third World Hurdle.
Trainer Thomas O’Leary has been quick to snap up O’Regan’s services for the Thyestes Chase winner and is hoping his good run continues.
“I started looking for Denis earlier in the week and I’m delighted he has committed to ride our horse on Monday,” said O’Leary.
Clonakilty-based O’Leary, who has been firing in the winners of late, added: “The ground the last day at Thurles was just too dry for him and the trip on the short side, but he has an ideal racing weight (10st 4lb) and is in super shape, so all being well I’m expecting him to run a big race on this more testing ground.”
And O’Leary should get his wish, as clerk of the course Joe Collins confirmed.
“The going is now soft throughout on both the chase and hurdle track and we’ll be using fresh ground every day on the hurdle track and also fresh ground for the Grand National on Monday,” said Collins.
Liam Burke does not want to see much more rain at Fairyhouse ahead of Sir Frederick’s bid for National glory.
The eight-year-old won the valuable Galway Plate back in August but has only been seen twice since, and to little effect.
Burke is convinced his charge runs best fresh but he is also concerned that most of his better form has been on a firmer surface.
“He’ll run but it’s raining today again and I don’t want any more rain,” said Burke.
“He’s a better horse on nicer ground but we’ll take our chance anyway, it might dry up.
“He had a bit of a setback, he ran twice after Galway and he just wasn’t himself.
“He was checked out at Christmas and everything is OK again, and he’s a better horse fresh.
“The handicapper hasn’t relented at all but that’s what happens when you win a Galway Plate, he’s quite hard to place now.
“He’s in good order at the minute but the ground could be against him. He’s on a nice racing weight though.”
Meanwhile, Thyne Again is likely to head to the Punchestown Festival after a solid fourth in last week’s Arkle at Cheltenham.
Liam Burke’s seven-year-old travelled well throughout the race before being left in Tidal Bay’s wake up the Cheltenham hill.
The Co Cork handler was pleased with his effort but feels a step up in trip could be the order of the day.
“He ran a cracker, he just didn’t pick up from the second-last to the last,” said Burke. “On the day the winner was just too good. He probably needs two and a half miles. He’s probably just short of pace for that sort of race – the winner was very impressive.”
