News briefs

French Dynamite to Leopardstown

FRENCH Dynamite will run in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown rather than take his place in the rescheduled John Durkan Chase at Punchestown on Monday.

A winner of two chases last term, including the Grade 3 Pierce Molony Memorial Novice Chase, French Dynamite began this season with a hurdles victory before being narrowly defeated in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham last month.

Trainer Mouse Morris said: “He’s very well but, with the rescheduling, we’ve had to change plans and I have always thought he’d get further in time anyway. It’s just the way it’s worked out with the weather. We thought it would be a chance to give him a go over three miles again.”

New stallion at The Old Road

ILARAAB, a dual Group 3 winner by Wootton Bassett, will stand at James and Marian Hannon’s The Old Road Stud in Tallow, Co Waterford. A 200,000gns yearling, he did not race at two but won six races in a row as a three- and four-year-old for trainer William Haggas. At four he won the Group 3 St Simon Stakes at Newbury over a mile and a half and this year he won another Group 3 over the same course and distance. James Hannon said: “He is an excellent walker, with a great swing to him and a lovely temperament.” Ilaraab will stand alongside Arctic Cosmos, Mizzou, Mores Wells and Scorpion. His fee is €2,500 with a filly foal concession.

Racing in running for RTÉ Awards

RACHAEL Blackmore is among the 10 nominees for the RTÉ Sport Awards Sportsperson of the Year which will be revealed on Saturday evening. Willie Mullins is one of 11 nominees for the Manager of the Year award. The programme, which has Ruby Walsh as co-presenter, starts at 9.45pm on RTE One and ends at midnight.

Christmas Eve edition

THE next edition of The Irish Field will be in shops on Christmas Eve, Saturday, December 24th. This bumper issue will include all the racecards for December 26th and 27th, plus entries for the rest of the Christmas period. The edition will also feature reviews of the racing year. The Irish Field will have a new edition on sale on Saturday. December 31st.

ITBA Education Programme 2023

THE ITBA’s Education Programme for 2023 will kick off with a breeding season preparation workshop on Tuesday, January 10th, The remainder of the programme is now being finalised and will include the popular Ask The Experts, Summer Series, Preparation Series and Autumn/Winter Series events, as well as new elements. When and where possible, workshops will be either QQI or Veterinary Council of Ireland accredited.

The schedule will include in-person events at the ITBA office and other events may have online access. A number of workshops will be rolled out regionally. Breeders’ suggestions for relevant topics to be included in the programme should be sent to Hannah Marks on (045) 877543 or email hmarks@itba.ie.

Naas free admission on Tuesday

RACEOERS will be admitted free of charge to Naas on Tuesday, thanks to Bar One Racing. Barney O’Hare’s betting firm has agreed to sponsor the gate for the pre-Christmas fixture, which starts at 12.35pm.