The Turf Club stewards meet on Tuesday week to decide how much the minimum weight will go up when the Flat racing season starts at the end of March. It was increased by 2lb to 8st last year.
Senior steward Pierce Molony warned less than three months ago that he could see no point in sanctioning an increase unless jockeys agreed not to ride when dehydrated. The Irish Jockeys Association is to make a submission to the meeting that is expected to be acceptable to the stewards. The trainers, owners and breeders associations will make submissions as well.
Molony warned that he was considering random dehydration testing but chief executive Denis Egan says that this is unlikely to be introduced before next year. Egan caused a stir last year when he said at a racing conference in Korea that the weights may go up by 7lb. During the week, however, he said that much of an increase was ‘highly unlikely’.
The Turf Club has already agreed to fund the cost of engaging a dietician to work with riders and with the racecourse caterers to provide more suitable food in the jockeys’ rooms.
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Fast ground delays Spinner’s return
Leg Spinner, described by expert tipster Alan Sweetman as the best-handicapped jumper in the country, has had his return repeatedly delayed. Tony Martin was originally aiming at the Newmarket Cesarewitch with his five-year-old, who has not raced since winning the Ascot Stakes in June. When that race went by the board, he said he hoped to have Leg Spinner back by the end of the Flat. Now he is talking in terms of Easter.
The reason for the delay is that the firm ground at York took its toll on the gelding and Martin says he will never again race the horse on such fast going. Leg Spinner is now back in training and the Co Meath trainer is going to prepare him for races at Fairyhouse and Punchestown with the Cesarewitch again a long-term target.
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Absentee still has a hill to climb
Kill Devil Hill is a notable absentee from today’s Paddy Fitzpatrick Memorial Novice Chase and trainer Paul Nolan reports that the gelding is being aimed at the Dr PJ Moriarty Novice Chase at Leopardstown in four weeks’ time, although he is no certainty to be ready in time.
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The six-year-old won the Drinmore Chase at the beginning of last month but ran way below his best when a remote third to Missed That in the John Durkan on St Stephen’s Day. He did not eat properly for a week after that and he has taken time to show signs of a return to form at home.
Stable companion Colonel Rayburn, whose return was delayed until Fairyhouse on New Year’s Day after he banged a front joint, is on course for the Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park on Tursday week. He has the Grand National as his long-term target and ran well in last year’s race until being brought to a standstill at Becher’s second time round.
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Watson Lake to warm up at Fairyhouse
Noel Meade will run his Queen Mother Champion Chase entry Watson Lake in the Normans Grove Chase at Fairyhouse next Sunday. The eight-year-old has won both his starts with ease this season but he was cast in his box before Christmas and missed the Dial-A-Bet Chase. He is by Be My Native whose progeny, according to the champion jumps trainer, tend to be delicate and this is why he has given the horse plenty of time before bringing him back.
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Hourigan plots Hi Cloy’s next success
Hi Cloy, widely considered to be lucky to account for Central House at Leopardstown last time, gets the chance to prove it was no fluke in the Kinloch Brae Chase at Thurles on Thursday. Michael Hourigan, adamant his horse would have won anyway, is also eyeing the Ryanair Chase and the Grand National.