Asterion Forlonge among five to face Elliott star on Sunday. By Press Association Friday 15 Jan 2021, 12:51 PM Jan 15th 2021, 12:51 PM 2,743 Views 1 Comment
Image: PA
Image: PA
ENVOI ALLEN WILL face five rivals when he attempts to stretch his unbeaten career record under rules to 11 in the Sky Bet Killiney Novice Chase at Punchestown.
Having landed his point-to-point in February 2018, the Gordon Elliott-trained gelding has carried all before him – twice winning at the Cheltenham Festival, including last year’s Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle.
Owned by Cheveley Park Stud, the seven-year-old has embarked on a novice-chasing campaign this season and has been faultless in two victories to date, at Down Royal and most recently in Grade One company at Fairyhouse.
Johnny Ward: Cheltenham without the Irish is a dispiriting thought
Our columnist looks ahead to the March festival and offers his recommendation for the Triumph Hurdle. By Johnny Ward Wednesday 13 Jan 2021, 6:30 AM Jan 13th 2021, 6:30 AM 5,081 Views 9 Comments
French Aseel in action at Leopardstown last month.
Image: Morgan Treacy/INPHO
Image: Morgan Treacy/INPHO
EXTENDED THE WITHERED ‘happy new year’ greeting last week, one felt obliged to reply: “Sorry, I’ve made other plans.”
January can be a difficult month. I cruised through November without a beer but got as far two days in the quest for Dry January. I gave in meekly, without a semblance of fight. At least we have racing.
Craig Brenner –
Passages (Self-produced): “Craig Brenner explores the jazzy side of blues and boogie woogie piano. Called “a fine and funky pianist” by Living Blues, Craig has received multiple Indiana Arts Commission grants and he has been voted “Best Musician” in Bloomington, IN, in the Bloomington Independent; Craig & The Crawdads has been chosen best band.” (https://www.craigbrenner.com/bio) He has recorded and performed with the Meters and Dr. John. Passages offers “eight original tunes in various styles, with stellar musicians: Lori Brenner and Merrill Garbus (Merrill appears courtesy of 4AD) on vocals, Nate Brenner and Ron Kadish on bass, Dan Hostetler and Tim Brookshire on drums, Mike Baker and Gordon Bonham on guitar, Joe Donnelly and Jake Belser on sax, Dena El Saffar on violin and viola, Kyle Quass on trumpet, and Dave Pavolka on trombone.” There are two songs with vocals. The straight-forward NOLA style on several songs offer the greatest punch on t