The belated Fairyhouse Easter meeting was a great success. Irish Distillers put a lot of time, effort and most importantly money in to their showpiece race and were rewarded with a fine renewal.
The fact that the National was run at a sedate pace had most punters still clutching their tickets with anticipation as the race entered its concluding half mile. At that stage the first seven in the betting were all in with a shout, but as the field entered the straight Kieran Kelly went for home aboard 25/1 chance Rathbawn Prince.
Rathbawn Prince loves fast ground and when he was clear jumping the second last the race looked over. Timmy Murphy had settled Davids Lad towards the rear and only began to creep into contention as the field turned for home. Sixth coming to the third last, Murphy moved his mount into second after the penultimate fence, but was still a good five lengths down on the leader. When Murphy finally put his foot on the accelerator Davids lad had plenty left in the tank and sprinted home to win going away by one and a half lengths.
The fact that Rathbawn Prince, in second, finished eleven lengths clear of Sheltering in third illustrates the change in pace that Davids Lad showed over the final furlong.
Davids Lad is another testament to the skills of trainer Tony Martin. The gelding won his first handicap off a rating of 83 just over six months ago and now after landing the Irish Grand National racing off a mark of 129 is up to 141. Martin was a top Amateur rider for many years, but it is as a trainer that he has really come to the fore. The fear, which he instils in bookmakers and handicappers on both sides of the Irish Sea, is reminiscent of the early years of Vincent O'Brien and if Martin should ever get the chance to train the top flat horses who knows how far he could go.
The Clash of Sackville and Limestone Lad in Saturday's Powers Gold Cup was a classic. Head for head from five fences out it was only from the last that Sackville finally got his rival's measure to land his eighth consecutive race. At only eight years of age Sackville has a bright future, but what lies in store for Limestone Lad?
Limestone Lad has undoubted talent, but his hesitancy at his fences will ensure that he will never quite reach the top. Back over Hurdles seems the obvious route, but the presence of Bannow Bay will ensure that he won't have things his own way in staying races next season.
The Tote is undergoing major change at the moment. The beleaguered pool betting operation has had a hard time in recent years and cannot compete with the tax-free alternatives in the betting ring.
A new logo and new uniforms are the first superficial signs of the metamorphosis, but better is hopefully to come. Subject to agreement at next month's board meeting the Tote will reduce their take from win pools. This vital step will come into effect from October.
During Galway Races at the end of July they plan to run a trial with Tote machines inup to 20 betting offices in the Cork area. The idea of bringing the Tote to the 'high street' has been on the table in one form or another for a number of years and should become a reality by the end of the year.
The off-course bookmakers have shown interest and all going well more than 200 outlets will offer a range of services in time.
From Derby weekend the Tote reverse forecast will switch to a straight forecast and will be known as an Exacta. They also hope to introduce a new 'super bet' which will probably take the form of a six-leg jackpot.
One other welcome change that is immediate is all racecards will now carry runners for the other meeting on days when there is a clash.
The importance of ground conditions was highlighted on Friday evening with the victory of Beebeep at Wexford. Frank Ennis' mare has been flagged as a 'horse to watch' on this site all winter, with the proviso that she must have good ground. Time after time she was well backed on soft ground butcouldn't win. On better ground at Wexford she won apologising by eight lengths and she should go in again while the present dry spell lasts.
