Category: RACING
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The old saying is actually the wrong way around
Anyone who thinks top level sportspeople don’t teeter on the brink of acceptability and sometimes topple over it most likely still has the Tooth Fairy on Speed Dial. That is not to condone those who go too far – even within the bounds of allowing for stretching things – but trying to convince oneself it […]
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Poignant double for Donoghue as gentleman Andy remembered
Local jockey Keith Donoghue recorded a poignant double on Saturday afternoon’s Navan card. The rider sported a black armband in memory of his grand uncle Andy Lynch who was laid to rest this afternoon. Dunsany’s Andy was himself a highly distinguished and universally popular member of the local horse fraternity. Through his role as whipper-in […]
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Kennedy a major Festival doubt
Jack Kennedy has emerged as a serious doubt for this year’s Cheltenham Festival having sustained a significant leg injury following a fall from Top Bandit in a novice chase at Naas on Sunday. Gordon Elliott trains Top Bandit and he said the jockey faces being sidelined for the “Foreseeable future” owing to what is by […]
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Mrs Phil Leonard – R.I.P.
I was so very sad to hear of the passing of Phil Leonard yesterday. I first got to know Noel properly at the time of the 1999 Local Elections and have been privileged to visit their home on numerous occasions over the years since. Like their late neighbour Vincent Poleon, the fact the wheelchair couldn’t […]
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Quiet legend Manning goes out on a high note
An era ended in Ballybrit this afternoon when the quiet legend of the Irish Flat weighroom, Kevin Manning, called time on his illustrious glory-laden career in the saddle. Fittingly going out on a winner prepared by his father-in-law and boss, Jim Bolger. Vocal Studies carrying the colours of Jim’s wife Jackie, as so many of […]
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Racing’s revolving doors
‘Form lines’ is a phrase often deployed in horse racing. Generally in reference to competing steeds who have crossed paths previously. It tends, also, to be put to use in team sports where two entities develop a rivalry over time. The line’s appearance here has nothing to do with either of the examples utilised thus […]