Epsoir D’Allen season hangs in balance

A DECISION could be made next week on whether Champion Hurdle winner Espoir D’Allen will be given the season off. Gavin Cromwell’s charge remains in Fethard Equine Hospital this weekend following a recent fall on the gallops.

Frank Berry, racing manager to owner J.P. McManus, said “Unfortunately he reared over when he got spooked on his way back to the yard last week. He’s at Fethard and they are thoroughly checking him over. As yet we’re not exactly sure, but it looks like he’ll be out for the season. Hopefully we’ll know a bit more next week.”

Ascot Sale on Tuesday

ALMOST 150 horses are due to be offered for sale at Tattersalls Ascot next Tuesday. The mixed catalogue includes 11 from Godolphin and among the Irish trainers sending horses are Gordon Elliott, Eugene O’Sullivan, Ken Condon and Emmet Mullins.

Barry Geraghty aims for comeback at Listowel

BARRY Geraghty hopes to resume race-riding at next month’s Listowel Festival. He has been sidelined since breaking his leg in a fall at Aintree’s Grand National meeting. “The leg is coming along well, I’ve been doing plenty of physio and I hope to start riding out next week,” he said. “I will hopefully be back for Listowel, that’s the plan.”

Goff’s Sportsman’s Sale catalogue published

AN extra 100 yearlings have been added to the Goffs Sportsman’s Sale this year. Due to increased demand from vendors for places the sale has been extended to two days this year, taking place immediately after the Orby Sale in the first week of October.

This week Goffs revealed that a total of 389 yearlings have been accepted for the Sportsman’s Sale and the catalogue is now online.

Soft ground scuppers Naas barrier trials

THE barrier trials due to be staged at Naas last Monday were cancelled due to rain.

Jeremy Greene of Irish Thoroughbred Marketing said: “It was generally agreed there was no point going ahead on soft ground. Everyone involved was very understanding. We have rescheduled for 2pm on Tuesday, September 3rd when there will be eight trials with up to eight horses in each one.”