RACING:CHURCH ISLAND will attempt to join an exclusive club by winning back-to-back renewals of Sandown's Gold Cup on Saturday as trainer Michael Hourigan pursues a big-race double over the Easter weekend.
On Monday Hourigan will point his 13-year-old stalwart A New Story at a remarkable sixth attempt on the Ladbrokes Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse.
Church Island has an Irish National pedigree of his own, having finished runner-up to Niche Market in 2009, but Hourigan’s other veteran performer secured a career highlight victory in last year’s Sandown highlight.
Just two horses – Larbawn (1968-69) and Topsham Bay (1992-93) – have won the final big race of the British National Hunt season more than once, but Church Island was one of 25 left at yesterday’s forfeit stage.
“Going back there has been the plan since last year and that’s still the plan. Adrian (Heskin) will ride him again. But carrying 11.7 will be tough,” Hourigan said yesterday.
Church Island has been installed as a 20 to 1 outsider for the weekend by bookmakers – the same price he won at last year.
Siegemaster is another Irish entry for Sandown and is set to top the weights in the race.
“He’s in the Irish National, but he’s more likely to run at Sandown if the ground was okay,” said trainer Dessie Hughes. “He’s fine after his fall in the Topham and he didn’t gallop much afterwards.
“Ground wise, we wouldn’t want it too firm. If it is good jumping ground we’ll travel, and for a race like that I think they’ll make sure it is.”
Hourigan’s focus will switch to Fairyhouse for the Easter festival and there would be no more popular winner of the Irish National than the former Cheltenham festival winner, A New Story.
The veteran has run 91 times in his career and boasts five consecutive attempts at Fairyhouse’s €250,000 highlight.
Fourth to Bluesea Cracker last year, A New Story was also fourth to Hear The Echo in 2008 and has twice filled third spot behind Niche Market (2009) and Point Barrow (2006.)
“Mr Cracker is in the race too but he won’t run,” Hourigan confirmed. “I’ll choose between the Powers Gold Cup and a race at Punchestown for him. A New Story will be our only runner in the National.”
A New Story was a 33 to 1 shot in ante-post betting yesterday.
