Curragh Group 1 entries

THE Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup has attracted 32 entries including classic winners Adayar, Westover and Hurricane Lane. To be run at the Curragh on Sunday, May 28th, the 10-furlong race could also feature Group 1 winners Bay Bridge, Luxembourg, Onesto, Above The Curve and Order Of Australia. Other notable entries include multiple group race winners Anmaat, Changingoftheguard, My Prospero, West Wind Blows, Trevaunance, Real World and the French trained Skalleti.

Webinar offers TAMS advice

HORSE owners interested in applying for government grants to improve their facilities are encouraged to watch a webinar released this week which explains the workings of the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme. Hosted by Helen Sharp of The Irish Field and Irish Farmers Journal, the webinar features contributions from Minister Martin Heydon, technical advisor Robert Leonard, Patrick Hester and Michael Doherty.

Web: ifj.ie/breeding

Western breeders’ event

BREEDERS in the west are invited to attend an open evening in the Shearwater Hotel, Ballinasloe, next Thursday (March 30th) at 7pm. Organised by the ITBA Western Region, the event will be attended by representatives from ITBA, Irish Thoroughbred Marketing, Irish Equine Centre and Weatherbys. The inclusion of the equine sector in the TAMS grant aid programme will be discussed and Kevin Blake will offer breeders pedigree advice. There will also be a raffle with stallion nominations on offer. Those interested in attending are asked to email ddeveney@itba.ie or call 045 877 543 in advance.

Slevin to miss Easter racing

J.J. SLEVIN will miss the Irish Grand National having been given an eight-day suspension for breaching the whip rules at Cheltenham.

Slevin was the only Irish-based jockey to fall foul of the new rules during last week’s Festival. He was found to have used his whip eight times, which is once more than permitted, aboard Coral Cup runner-up An Epic Song.

This offence would normally attract a four-day ban but, under the new rules introduced in Britain last month, the penalty is doubled for Class 1 races. As a result, Slevin is suspended for eight jump racing days, from Tuesday, April 4th to Wednesday, April 12th.

Unless he successfully appeals the punishment, this rules him out of the entire Fairyhouse Easter Festival, where he could have expected to ride some fancied horses for trainer Joseph O’Brien and others. Slevin won the Irish National in 2018 on the Gordon Elliott-trained General Principle.

Breeder of Month result

WILLIE Austin has won the Connolly’s Red Mills The Irish Field Breeder of the Month award for February. He bred Blazing Khal, winner of the Grade 2 Boyne Hurdle at Navan.

Irish Grand National penalties ESPANITO Bello has been given an 11lb penalty for the BoyleSports Irish Grand National. Cheltenham winner Angels Dawn has a 9lb penalty for the Easter Monday feature at Fairyhouse.