SHABRA CHARITY PREVIEW NIGHT

YOU name them, we had them, the bishop, the priest, the surgeon, the government minister, the county GAA manager, a comedian and oh, a certain rugby star named Tommy Bowe too.

The racing wise-heads assembled in the Glencarn Hotel consisted of Noel O’Brien, Frank Berry, Dermot Weld, Patrick Mullins, Shark Hanlon, David Jennings, Patrick Kennelly, Andrew Lynch, Tony Martin and MC Des Scahill

But there was one missing from the Castleblayney Cheltenham preview night. There was a vacant chair at the top table. On it sat a photo of the man who had held court at this preview night for the last five years.

Footage shown at intervals during the evening showed Oliver Brady in his prime, from hailing winners at Listowel to reminding Dermot Weld that he’d learned his tricks in Crossmaglen. There were moments when you expected him to walk in, larger than life saying “Ah, didn’t I fool youse all, I’m back.”

But things moved on, and another Festival is on the doorsteps.

With Des Scahill at the helm, discussion kicked off with the Champion Hurdle. The facts and figures were provided by Noel O’Brien who had Hurricane Fly a pound above Faugheen but the latter had the potential and was open to improvement although he acknowledged that Hurricane Fly was “something else.”

Shark Hanlon was reminded that he had once said Hurricane Fly would get sick at the bottom of the hill. “Well, he did one year and he didn’t the next.” Though Faugheen was the one to beat, he was not going for a 5/4 favourite, noting that Willie Mullins had about four favourites in the first day - “one favourite is going to get beat.”

Negatives on Faugheen’s jumping were dismissed by David Jennings. “The faster they go, the better he’ll jump,” who felt Hurricane Fly’s age was against him and couldn’t have The New One who had got outpaced last year and would do so again.

Jezki was the solid alternative and Frank Berry added that he had worked well on Tuesday. Andrew Lynch offered Arctic Fire as each-way chance.

Finally to the man in the know, Patrick Mullins. Fresh from the workout of many of the possible Festival challengers on the Curragh that morning, Patrick reported Ruby Walsh as very happy with Faugheen and also felt the faster the pace, the better he would jump.

Though Faugheen earned the word “awesome”, Hurricane Fly was ruled in fantastic form and he still had “the attitude and fire for it still.”

Mullins added if anyone was going to the Festival and had yet to pick a day, “Go Tuesday, in case Hurricane Fly does it.”

Paddy Power’s Patrick Kenneally was persuaded to offer 7/4 Faugheen for the Monaghan faithful to the next morning’s early risers.

WORLD HURDLE

The World Hurdle was dismissed as substandard with the first two from last year absent. Frank Berry kept the faith with the third place finisher At Fishers Cross, Rebecca Curtis reporting he was back in good form though you wonder just how many will keep the faith.

He also put up Rock On Ruby as “a great favourite of mine.”

Harry Fry’s charge had another fan in Tony Martin who felt Rock On Ruby was the one they all have to beat. His own Dedigout, was a dark horse and in really good form, if it was soft. Noel O’Brien suggested the race must be a great temptation for Annie Power to which Patrick Mullins was quick to counter - “no chance.”

However the mare was reported on top form and had no hold-ups. “Katie Walsh was very happy with her on the Curragh this morning.”

David Jennings felt it was a race of nearly men but of them, Zarkandar was the choice.

On to the Gold Cup and Jennings found it “hard to make head or tail of it.” He put up Djakadam as a likely “plunge horse” on the day. The schooling session with Vautour at Leopardstown on Saturday was reportedly hugely impressive.

Patrick Mullins played it down saying Paul Townend who rode the six-year-old, had a different style than Walsh and may have made it look easy. Everyone were very pleased with Djakadam though.

The second place of Foxrock in the Irish Hennessy devalued the form he felt.

Andrew Lynch felt the proximity of so many horses meant the Lexus was not Gold Cup form and that Silviniaco Conti didn’t truly stay three miles and two furlongs. He put up the Newbury Hennessy winner Many Clouds, as lots of winners had come out of the race, he was great value as he would stay.

Frank Berry spoke highly of Carlingford Lough and his great performance at Leopardstown and offered him as the each-way value. Holywell will also enjoy the better ground and ticked the horses for course boxes.

Dermot Weld felt it was an open race and not of the highest standard but very competitive. He would love to see either a win for Carlingford Lough or Road To Riches for Noel [Meade] or John Kiely.

On the figures, Noel O’Brien concurred that it was not the classiest race but very competitive. Silviniaco Conti was the most likely winner as the classiest and the best horse in the race. Carlingford Lough would have to avoid mistakes while Road To Riches was the top rated Irish chaser. Lord Windermere, he said, does what it says on the tin. Presumably that a tin labelled “Cheltenham winner”.

Shark Hanlon continued on the wide open theme - he felt if it was good ground Djakadam was the one to beat, though Tony Martin felt that might be more likely next year than this.

Finishing on the Gold Cup, Willie Power looked for value suggesting Lord Windermere, The Giant Bolster and Holywell, who loves Cheltenham and the drier ground.

NOVICE HURDLERS

The debate was set up for Patrick Mullins - three novice races, three novice favourites - Douvan, Nichols Canyon, Black Hercules.

Mullins explained that initially Douvan was a lead horse for Allez Colombieres but had worked exceptionally. The track should prove no problem to the well balanced gelding and it would be disappointing if he didn’t collect. He had left Ruby smiling that morning so it was all systems go.

Nichols Canyon had overcome his sketchy jumping but could be a bit keen, while the very slick Outlander was better value at 6/1. Black Hercules was described as a real stayer, a beautiful horse who jumps fantastic. Mullins also offered Martello Tower trained by his aunt Mag at an overpriced 10/1 for the three miler.

Dermot Weld was very hopeful for Windsor Park, progressing along the right lines with drying ground to suit and thought Douvan could be exceptional.

Noel O’Brien stated it was hard to access Douvan but had him higher than Vautour at this stage last year and well ahead of the English runners. Andrew Lynch was in the Douvan fan club saying “We went some gallop at Punchestown but he never came off the bridle.” Again Martello Tower was offered for the Albert Bartlett.

David Jennings felt Douvan was really special, was a huge fan of Windsor Park and put up No More Heroes for the Albert Bartlett.

NOVICE CHASERS

It was put to Patrick Mullins that faster ground might not suit Un De Sceaux, “It’ll just make him harder to catch,” he countered. On his Saturday schooling he jumped impeccably, with Mullins of the opinion that the fall on his jumping debut had taught him respect.

The dispute over Don Poli’s target is still not resolved with Mullins convinced the “four-miler is made for him.” Valseur Lido was better suited to the RSA. Without Don Poli, Perfect Gentleman would have a good chance in the four-miler. Vautour had delighted in schooling and should be forgiven for having one bad run in his life.

David Jennings felt Don Poli was the best novice in Ireland and got the job done as Noel O’Brien confirmed he was our best novice.

On the JLT he reminded how impressive Vautour had been last year and at Navan, with Ptit Zig as the top British contender.

CHAMPION CHASE

Shark Hanlon had chosen to swerve the two mile championship as the last two winners will line up again. He felt they could give 80% of their best and still win. The opinion was that Sprinter Sacre didn’t look well at Ascot but had to get a run and recent photos showed him looking the part again.

“If he comes back he win,” was the summary. Tony Martin agreed that even at a stone below his top rating, Sprinter Sacre would still win and Frank Berry reported confidence from the Henderson yard.

Noel O’Brien offered Champagne Fever as the each-way bet on his great Festival record.

Andrew Lynch thought Sprinter Sacre had too many questions and he would “believe it when I see it, Sire De Grugy is the one for me.”

Patrick Mullins offered that Cheltenham in March “sees the best of Champagne Fever.”

RYANAIR CHASE

The Ryanair had fallen apart according to David Jennings and Shark Hanlon had made the right decision. He thought Don Cossack had grown up but the race was ripe for an upset with David Pipe’s Ballynagour going well fresh. However, the Nicky Richards-trained Eduard should be kept the right side of and would be “hell of a horse” while Noel O’Brien highlighting John’s Spirit’s great course form. Frank Berry felt Gordon [Elliott] had “done a great job with Don Cossack and he would be for me.”

TRIUMPH HURDLE

Des Scahill began by declaring it a poor Triumph as Hargam was offered as possibly A.P. McCoy’s best chance. Noel O’Brien had Peace And Co head and shoulders above the rest but Beltor had impressed at Kempton.

Patrick Mullins was pressed on his bumper preference, with seven likely runners from the yard. Bordini had impressed him most but Stone Hard had the best temperament. In the end he resolved to do “what my father tells me.” Dermot Weld added Vigil would be suited by the ground being “the softer the better.”

Mullins departed offering Roi De Francs for the Martin Pipe and Blood Cotil on a good mark for the Grand Annual.

Handicap selections came from Frank Berry - Regal Encore in the Pertemps and Sort It Out in the County Hurdle.

Tony Martin expected to have seven or eight runners and singled out Mydor as well in if he gets a run (Pertemps). Marinero should give a good account, with Edeymi, Gallant Oscar, Blackmail, Ted Veale and Savello all possible runners through the week.

In her speech, an emotional Rita Shah paid tribute to Oliver Brady, “one of a kind” who would be “missed beyond words” and recalled some of their exploits on the racetrack.

In closing, the next Monaghan legend Tommy Bowe assisted Rita in revealing the Monaghan jersey. The rallying cry was still, “Up Monaghan”. The spirit lives on.