Nick Dundee burst back on the scene with a faultless display at Navan on Saturday. Almost killed when falling in the Royal and Sun Alliance Chase at Cheltenham in 1999, it has been a long road to recovery, but now our brightest star is set to shine again.
The six minutes it took the gelding to complete the course at Navan must have seemed an eternity for those closely connected with him and although some remaining cobwebs need to be blown away before he can tackle stiffer opposition, this is a horse that can rise to the very top.
Nick Dundee's future could not be in more capable hands. His trainer Edward O'Grady has, to date, steered 15 horses to Cheltenham Festival success and with his charge firmly aimed at this season's Cheltenham Gold Cup he commented at the weekend: 'I wouldn't swap him for any other horse.' High praise indeed from a man who seldom speaks before he thinks.
Native Upmanship enhanced his growing reputation with a thrilling victory over Florida Pearl at Punchestown on Sunday. The pair locked horns from before the final fence and although Florida Pearl held the advantage for the most part, it was his younger opponent who gained the day with a hard fought head verdict.
Native Upmanship, trained by Arthur Moore but in the same ownership as Nick Dundee, is set for a clash with that rival in the Ericsson Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas, while Florida Pearl is more likely to head for Kempton and a crack at the King George.
The Aga Khan used his speech at the Moyglare Dinner on Saturday night to get a few things off his chest. For a man with untold wealth and almost unparalleled success as an owner/breeder he has found plenty to complain about. Not only did he raise the old chestnut of doping, he also attacked the distribution of prize-money and criticised the Curragh, claiming that the track was uncomfortable and ill suited to racegoers' needs.
On the subject of the Curragh, I believe the Aga Khan has a valid point. He feels that the enclosure is strangled with the track on one side and the road on the other and his suggestion to move the road behind the Stand House Hotel is innovative and something the racecourse should look into.
The Ryan Dynasty was again in the headlines this week when Shane Ryan spent 1.7 million guineas on Brocatelle, a 4-y-o daughter of Green Desert. She will now join his expanding broodmare band at Kilboy Stud in Co. Tipperary. His brother Cathal has also been active at the sales since his purchase of Swordlestown Stud last year, while father Tony, not to be outdone, spent $4.7 million on a single lot at Keeneland last month.
The Ryans have succeeded in shaking up the airline industry with cut-price fares and maybe their entry into the world of breeding will have a similar effect. Perhaps in the future we shall all be able to purchase quality stock with loose change!
Last week most publications carried the story of a large gamble at Thurles when Reminiscer landed a maiden hurdle. The 3-y-o was backed from 10/1-3/1 and one would presume that huge sums were won.
Surprisingly, only a little over #11,000 was bet on the race and when compared to the #209,470 bet on Liss A Paoraigh's race at Fairyhouse last Sunday the gamble is put into perspective.
Jockey Paul Moloney has had a week to forget. He picked up a three-day suspension for an 'injudicious ride' aboard Get It On at Fairyhouse last Sunday, but worse was to come.
The former amateur champion fell foul of the Cheltenham stewards on Friday following his ride on Saor Theas, which was beaten 50 lengths in a 2m1f novice hurdle. Moloney, adjudged to have failed to take all reasonable and permissible measures to achieve the best possible position, was hit with a further seven-day suspension.
The rider will now be on the sidelines until 29th December, but won't be back aboard Saor Theas until at least 18th January as the horse was banned for 40 days.
