Murphy hits the headlines

OISIN Murphy’s absence from riding at Kempton on Monday has been reported to the BHA head office after he missed providing a breath sample. Murphy later revealed he had given up his five rides due to having haemorrhoids.

Murphy said: “I’ve noticed blood in my breeches at the races recently and have needed to change numerous times. This morning, I noticed more blood than I’d seen before. I’ve got haemorrhoids. I’m fine and I’ll be back riding tomorrow.”

Four other riders appeared in the BHA stewards’ report at Wolverhampton on Friday when missing breath tests, with these instances also referred to the BHA head office.

Jim Crowley and Taylor Fisher said they were stuck in traffic and turned around when it became clear that he would not arrive in time. Harry Burns and Andrew Elliott also missed tests.

Old favourites at the RDS

IF you are at the Horse Show today, make sure to check out and support some old favourites in the ITM Racehorse to Riding Horse class in Ring One at 1.10pm.

Familiar names include Chris’s Dream (Joanne Quirke), Briar Hill (Corinne Doran Ennen), General Principle (Seainin Mahon), Raz De Maree (Jenny Murphy), Monkfish (Suzy Barkley) and A Plus Tard (Emily Kate Robinson).

Marnane remembered

ENTRIES are also being invited for a new Racehorse to Riding Horse class at next week’s Bansha Show. The Theresa Marnane Memorial Cup takes place on Wednesday, 21st August with a luxurious night at the five-star Ashford Castle, hampers and prize money on offer. Visit www.banshashow.ie to enter.

Whacker’s Kerry National aim

THERE will be an extra layer of intrigue in next month’s Guinness Kerry National as Cheltenham Festival winner The Real Whacker has been confirmed as an intended runner at Listowel.

Trainer Paddy Neville, a native of Ballysteen, Co Limerick but based in North Yorkshire, told Listowel’s social media channels on Thursday that the he will travel the 2023 Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase hero to the Harvest Festival.

Concertista dies at stud

DASH Grange Stud announced the death of Cheltenham Festival winner Concertista this week.

Racing in the colours of Simon Munir and Isaac Souede and trained by Willie Mullins, the 10-year-old was a five time graded winner over hurdles and fences.