RACING NEWS:IRISH TRAINER Michael Halford is pursuing Group Three success at the Meydan track in Dubai today where the prolific winner Banna Boirche lines up in a six furlong sprint.
The five-year-old Banna Boirche, a five-time winner on the all weather at Dundalk in 2010, is due to on the Tapeta surface against 15 others under jockey Shane Foley.
The Irish hope’s main opposition could come from the South African trained Our Giant as well as Godolphin’s Sagaree.
It will be the five-year-old’s first start in Dubai this year but his stable companion Hujaylea, last year’s Irish Cesarewitch winner, will be having his third start today in a seven furlong handicap on the turf.
Hujaylea opened his Dubai campaign with a narrow defeat by Dandy Boy but was only sixth at Meydan last week behind Win For Sure.
In home news, Jessica Harrington is hoping a drop back from three miles to Sunday’s Dr PJ Moriarty Novice Chase at Leopardstown won’t inconvenience her Fort Leney winner Boston’s Angel.
“The trip could be a little bit short for him but it’s his natural progression to come for this race – it’s where he should be going. There will be a good strop pace and all going well on Sunday, he could go for the RSA at Cheltenham,” she said.
Pat Flynn is another trainer hoping to strike in a Grade One on Sunday where Louisville Lip will attempt to build on his Thurles maiden success in the Spring Juvenile Hurdle.
“He’s had 10 days since his last run, which is an excellent gap, and we rate this horse really highly. I’ve trained three Cheltenham Festival winners – Montelado won the Champion Bumper and the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and French Ballerina won the Supreme. This horse is coming up to their level,” the Co Waterford- based handler said yesterday.
