RACING

Ryan McElligott

In recent weeks much has been made of the struggle facing those in the middle and lower tiers of National Hunt racing in Ireland, and with this mind in Horse Racing Ireland is to be applauded for announcing a series of enhancements to the programme for the 2017-18 jumping season.

For quite some time many suggestions have been made as to how to cater for those outside the upper echelons of jump racing and HRI’s programme revisions represent a major step in the right direction.

The changes cover the summer period of May to October and are both well thought out and well framed.

Among the initiatives are a series of maiden hurdles for horses who have not won a race previously and were purchased for €30,000 or less as unraced three or four-year-olds at the store sales. Six maiden hurdles will be run during the summer for horses who have not finished in the first three from three runs.

There will be an increase in novice hurdles, novice chases and beginner’s chases with rating band restrictions, the number of mares only races have grown and 20 middle range handicaps have had their value increased to €15,000.

Such initiatives represent definite progress, but what is absolutely essential is that these races will be supported accordingly.

TRAINERS CHAMPIONSHIP

Meanwhile, the enthralling battle for the National Hunt trainer’s championship will reach its climax in the coming weeks and a thrilling finale could be in store on the evidence of a quality card at Fairyhouse on Sunday.

The reigning title holder Willie Mullins and the pace setter Gordon Elliott went into this fixtures with live chances in each of the three Grade 2 contests on offer.

However, Mullins dominated the day’s action and completed a clean sweep in the graded contests to make good inroads into Elliott’s substantial lead. Elliott remains over €300,000 in front but with the €500,000 Irish Grand National and the Grade 1 extravaganza at Punchestown still to come, this title race could go down to the wire.

In terms of the action from Fairyhouse the performance that stood out was that of Al Boum Photo who tackled a decent field in the two and a half mile novice hurdle. This lightly raced gelding hadn’t run since mid-January and was at a distinct disadvantage in terms of experience, but he won nicely and, looking to next season, he could develop into a top drawer staying chaser.

Also worth a mention from last weekend is Crackerdancer who looks a hugely exciting mare for trainer Ray Hackett on the evidence of her 20 lengths triumph in a quality mares bumper at Navan on Saturday.

This seven-year-old defeated a useful sort at Limerick last month to get off the mark and she more than confirmed the promise of that display to trounce some capable rivals.

The eyes of the racing world will be fixed on Aintree this Saturday for the latest edition of the Grand National where another strong challenge is in the offing from horses on this side of the Irish Sea.

The Willie Mullins-trained Pleasant Company has long looked a likely contender for the great race. He warmed up for this with a victory at Fairyhouse on softer than ideal ground and will take a major step forward on a much better surface at Liverpool.

Also worth a mention is Causes Of Causes who made it three Cheltenham Festival wins in a row in last month’s cross country chase. He has run well in the National before and looked better than ever at Cheltenham.

Expect a strong challenge from him 10 years after his trainer Gordon Elliott first hit the big time by securing National glory with Silver Birch.