Racecourse is gearing up for the renowned Racing Home For Easter Festival this weekend with preparations well underway for the three day fixture which begins on Saturday with an all Flat card and runs through to Easter Monday, all live on Racing TV.
The highlight of the racing action will take place on Sunday with the Bar One Racing Easter Handicap Hurdle and the Grade 3 Michael O’Sullivan Steeplechase, named in honour of the popular Lombardstown native. In 2018 Michael O’Sullivan rode his first winner at Cork Racecourse aboard the Wilcosdiana trained by his uncle, Eugene O’Sullivan.
Among the 24 entries for the Bar One Racing Easter Handicap Hurdle is the Desmond Kenneally-trained Pray Tell. A winner of the Grade 3 Singletons SuperValu Stayers Novice Hurdle back in December, Pray Tell was last seen in Grade 1 company and will aim to record another memorable victory at Kenneally’s local track.
The Big Doyen is another notable entry in the €45,000 showpiece with the eight-year-old set to have his first start since moving to trainer Declan Queally. Owner JP McManus is well represented courtesy of the Colm Murphy-trained Goraibhmaithagat, January winner Well Dressed for Eddie and Patrick Harty and the Gavin Cromwell-trained Mywayofthinkin.
Gold Cup winning trainer Cromwell has also included Addragoole and the consistent Tonaghneave Well in a strong representation for the Meath handler.
Henry de Bromhead, who won the race last year with Lucky Zebo, may rely on previous Cork winner Arctic Bresil on this occasion, while the Ross O’Sullivan-trained Natural Look, the Yvonne Latta-trained Thisistheway and John McConnell’s West Away are also previous winners at the Cork venue.
A strong entry has been received for the Grade 3 Michael O’Sullivan Steeplechase including last year’s victor Asterion Forlonge for trainer Willie Mullins. Ireland’s champion trainer is responsible for three of the entries with Kilcruit and Mister Policeman also included.
Gordon Elliott’s Ash Tree Meadow is the highest rated of the 13 entries and Elliott’s team for the feature race also includes the talented American Mike, Fll Dor, Minella Crooner.
Senecia gave Waterford-based trainer Vincent Halley the biggest win of his career when claiming the Grade 2 Webster Cup at Navan last month and he’ll be much shorter than the 50/1 odds on that occasion if lining up on Sunday. Halley may also run Arctic Skua in the €37,500 contest.
Racing at Cork on Saturday is due to get underway a 1.25pm with an eight race Flat card which features the Easter Festival April 19th-21st Handicap, while on Sunday the eight race jumps card begins at 1.12pm.
Easter Monday action at Cork Racecourse begins at 1.15pm with another eight race jumps programme.
Packages are available for a fantastic weekend of racing with further details at
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