Navan inspecting at 7.30am
TODAY’S Navan fixture is subject to a 7.30am inspection. The track was unfit for racing on Friday morning following “significant snowfall” overnight. Sandown’s Saturday card is also under threat and faces an 8.30am inspection due to a frosty forecast. Saturday’s Hereford meeting was called off on Friday.
Naas is due to race on Sunday. The track was unraceable on Friday morning but was said to bbe in good shape by the afternoon.
No problems are reported ahead of today’s fixture at Gowran Park (soft) or Sunday’s card at Limerick (soft, with possibility of heavy showers). The Thurles card cancelled last Thursday has been rescheduled for Monday, with fresh declarations due this morning.
TG 4 Cheltenham preview
TG4 will screen its annual preview of the Cheltenham Festival at 11.25pm tonight [Saturday].
The 30-minute magazine-style preview, presented by Denis Kirwan and produced by Touchline Media, includes features on Constitution Hill/Nicky Henderson, Hewick/Shark Hanlon, Willie Mullins, and Barry Connell.
The TG4 preview also provides a selection of Festival fancies from jockeys, trainers and racing journalists.
Top French trainer banned
DAVID Cottin, the French trainer who saddled Easysland to win at Cheltenham in 2020, has been banned for a year by France Galop.
Cottin was held responsible for the presence of the steroid dexamethasone in samples taken from four horses in his Chantilly yard in December 2022. A former champion jockey, Cottin (33) finished third in the French jump trainers’ table in 2021.
ITBA mental fitness seminar
A RECENT ITBA seminar on mental fitness and resilience in the thoroughbred Industry was attended by over 60 people.
Hannah Marks of the ITBA reported: “We would like to thank speakers Dr Jennifer Pugh, Lisa O’Neill and Dr Ciara Losty for giving their time, and talking about what can be a very challenging and complex topic.”
A follow-on guide with all the information from the night, as well as industry support details, is available from the ITBA.
State Of Rest on target
NEW Rathbarry Stud stallion State Of Rest has had nine mares scanned in foal already. “We’re delighted with that start,” reported Niamh Woods of Rathbarry.
Racing quiz returns
THE annual Mark O’Hanlon Racing Quiz will take place in The Lord Bagenal, Leighlinbridge, Co Carlow, on Wednesday, March 29th.