Dettori Flies Stakes on Snow Fairy

Getty Images

Snow Fairy gained a dazzling success over Nathaniel in the Red Mills Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown.

Ed Dunlop’s globe-trotting mare settled nicely for Frankie Dettori and always looked to have Nathaniel covered as he was driven to overhaul pacemaker Daddy Long Legs rounding the bend.

Nathaniel (13-8 favourite) was in front and kicked on entering the straight, but Snow Fairy (15-8) quickened smoothly to take closer order and was always on top as the line approached. St Nicholas Abbey ran a gallant race as he tried to close in third.

Dettori, who had made the dash to the Dublin track in a helicopter from Haydock with Nathaniel’s jockey William Buick, was deputising on Snow Fairy for the injured Ryan Moore.

He had also ridden Snow Fairy 12 months ago when Dunlop’s star found only So You Think too good.

The Italian’s delight was clear as he performed his famous flying dismount, much to the delight of the crowds surrounding the winner’s enclosure.

Snow Fairy had only recently returned from a serious leg injury when winning the Prix Jean Romanet at Deauville, and was taking her Group One haul to a magnificent seven.

Dettori, winning his fifth Irish Champion, said: “Usually I don’t notice these things, but I could hear the crowd really get behind her and the roar when she crossed the line.

“The crowd at Leopardstown are fantastic. I’ve had some great days here. It’s all about the filly, she’s so popular. Everyone was delighted to see her win like that in a fighting finish. She got a tremendous cheer.

“She’s a popular as Kauto Star over jumps and for racing we need superstars like that. She’s small but she comes with a big punch!

“All the credit goes to Ed and the team for bringing her back after her serious injury, this race has been won by some great champions and she is one of them.

“It has been an honour to be on her again. Ryan said be patient and she’ll quicken when you ask her. Ryan has been a gentleman, a great help.”

Dunlop said: “I’ve lost my voice. I’m relieved for the horse more than anything, the owner and for Frankie who’s obviously now won on her.

“Ryan Moore has won six out of six on her, so Frankie needed that. This filly is simply unbelievable.”

Asked where the win stood among his career achievements, Dunlop said: “No disrespect to the others, but I think this is the best, to beat some of the best colts around and to break the track record, coming back from a major tendon injury, it doesn’t get better than this.

“She showed an amazing turn of foot again. This is the third time I have had a go at this race, so this is very nice on my CV.

“A lot of her rehabilitation from injury was done here (Ireland) and I can’t tell you how many people have helped us. It doesn’t get much sweeter.”

On future plans, Dunlop said: “We’ve always said this year we will take each race at a time after the injury she has had.

“She seems fine after the race, she’s in the Arc, she’s in the Champion Stakes, obviously Frankel is in that and that is a different level entirely.

“We’ll see. I’ve said before I’d like to go to the Breeders’ Cup, she hasn’t done that and I’d love to take her to America and maybe win in a sixth country.”

Related articles

• Snow Fairy romps to Irish Champion Stakes
• British pair declared for Irish Champion Stakes
• Snow Fairy overcomes 280-day absence to win sixth Group One
• Snow Fairy set for Leopardstown date after return from injury
• Ryan Moore proves no ace as Strong Suit is played too late at Newbury
• The Saturday Sermon - Haydock Sprint Cup Tips, 33/1 Ascot Tip and a 33/1 shot at Leopardstown!. Shabash

Work Out for Camelot at Leopardstown

Triple Crown-seeking Camelot is set to work between races at Leopardstown on Thursday.

The Montjeu colt has already won the 2000 Guineas, Derby and Irish Derby in an all-conquering season so far, and trainer Aidan O'Brien has now set his sights on next month's St Leger at Doncaster.

The Great Voltigeur Stakes at York had been considered as a possible prep for his date with destiny, but the Ballydoyle trainer has instead opted to go for a racecourse gallop.

O'Brien had initially planned to give Camelot a spin between the first and second races, but due to logistical issues, he will now work before racing starts.

O'Brien said: "We are delighted that the Irish racing public will have the opportunity to see Camelot before he runs in the St Leger at Doncaster.

"We would like to thank the clerk of the course, the stewards of the Turf Club and everyone at Leopardstown for allowing it to happen."

Leopardstown chief executive Pat Keogh is pleased to accommodate O'Brien's request, with his racing career having started at the Dublin track.

He said: "We are delighted to see Camelot return to Leopardstown where he won his maiden last July.

"We've watched him with great pride as he became a great champion."

Should Camelot land the Doncaster Classic on September 15, he will become the first horse since Nijinsky in 1970 to claim the colts' Triple Crown

It's Light Heavy at Leopardstown

The Jim Bolger-trained Light Heavy ridden by Kevin Manning, landed victory in the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial at Leopardstown.

The colt beat Aidan O'Brien's Tower Rock into second while there was no luck for the other O'Brien runner Wrote, the 8-13 favourite.

Light Heavy, the winner of the Ballysax Stakes last time out, does not have an entry for the Epsom Classic.

It gave Bolger a first win in the race since 1993.

Light Heavy started to challenge two furlongs from home with Wrote struggling but he found Tower Rock a tougher prospect.

Despite not being the biggest, Light Heavy showed plenty of grit to win by a neck.

Another O'Brien horse Camelot, leads the betting for the Derby after last weekend's 2,000 Guineas win.

Light Heavy could be aimed at the Irish Derby on 30 June or the King George VII Stakes at Royal Ascot the previous week.

Meanwhile, at Longchamp , the O'Brien-trained Furners Green, who was due to run in the Derby, had to be put down after breaking a leg while finishing third in the the Poule d'Essai des Poulains, the French equivalent of the 2,000 Guineas.

O'Brien's jockey son Joseph was catapulted to the ground but avoided serious injury.

OSM news service

Oxx Warns on Akeed Mofeed

John Oxx warns Akeed Mofeed won't be at peak fitness for his seasonal reappearance in the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial at Leopardstown on Sunday week.

The three-year-old is second-favourite behind Camelot in the betting for the Investec Derby at Epsom in June, but missed his intended comeback target at Leopardstown last month after suffering a setback.

He now faces a race against time to be fit enough for his next target and Oxx conceded if he does not make Leopardstown, his Epsom participation would also be in serious doubt.

"He walked for 10 days and walked and trotted for seven, but he was 17 days without a canter," Oxx told At The Races.

"He cantered last Monday week and then did some fast work this week. We hope to run him in the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial on Sunday week at Leopardstown, but it is coming up too soon.

"He would certainly want another week, but if we can get him there fit enough to run a good race we'd be hoping to run.

"That is the Derby trial in Ireland and there isn't a lot else for him, so we wouldn't have a back-up as an Epsom Derby trial. It's that or nothing.

"I think he has to run at Leopardstown if he's going to run in the Derby, so we'll see how the next week or 10 days go.

"He didn't have a big problem, he just needed some rest and he seems to have made a good recovery. If he stands up to the work without having a recurrence I'd be pretty hopeful we'll get him to Leopardstown, although he will not be as fit as I'd have liked."

OSM news service

No Last Instalment for Mick at RSA

Last Instalment has been ruled out of the RSA Chase at Cheltenham after suffering a slight injury when winning the Dr PJ Moriarty Chase at Leopardstown on Sunday.

The Philip Fenton-trained seven-year-old, owned by the Gigginstown House Stud, had been a leading fancy for honours at the Festival after taking his unbeaten run over fences to four.

That was his second Grade One success after he took the Fort Leney Novice Chase at Leopardstown in December.

"He's not going to run again this season," said Fenton.

"He was a little sore after Leopardstown, so I thought we'd play safe."

Ruby Quel Esprit for Willie

Quel Esprit was the winner of the Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown for Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh on Sunday.

The grey impressed with a fluent round of jumping as he made most of the running.

Turning in it was clear he had his rivals at full stretch although Roberto Goldback emerged as a threat after the last.

However Walsh never had a real moment of concern and Quel Esprit gave trainer Mullins an eighth win in the Grade One contest by two lengths.

Walsh said: "He jumped well, he travelled well. We went a really good gallop and it was a good performance.

"He likes to go a really good gallop. He was unlucky when he fell in his races last year. When we schooled the novices 18 months ago he was the best jumper.

"He's probably a 160 horse which leaves him 14lb behind Long Run and Kauto Star. They are in the mid 170s. He has another stone to improve to win a Cheltenham Gold Cup.

"There are other races than that and this is a huge pot and a great race in its own right.

"Willie thinks he's entitled to run in the Gold Cup. He's won a Hennessy so he has to run in the Gold Cup.

"I was fairly confident jumping the third-last and when what I thought was China Rock ranged alongside me two out I had plenty of horse left and I was very happy there."

Mullins said: "He had a wind operation during the summer and maybe that was the difference, when he was coming under pressure last year in those big races his wind might have been catching him.

"He galloped all the way to the line today and jumped. Ruby was keen to make use of his jumping. he jumped fantastic, especially over the last four. That was the key to winning the race. He wasn't afraid to ask him for big ones.

"He didn't let the pace drop at any stage during the race and kept stretching them with his jumping. They went a real good gallop and his jumping won it for him.

"He made one mistake down the back, but other than that his jumping was magnificent.

"He has a huge long stride and now that he has confidence in his jumping he looks a Grade One horse now. He's putting it all together at last.

"I've been aiming him for the Gold Cup all year. He's probably around a 25-1 shot for it. Seldom in your life do you have a horse good enough to compete in that race.

"When you get one you take it and the Gold cup throws up surprises over the years. I hope I can improve him a bit more between now and then."

Stan James cut Quel Esprit to 20-1 from 25-1s for the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup next month. Paddy Power and Sky Bet go 16-1 from 25-1 and Coral 14-1 from 25s.

Hennessy Not Synchronised

Synchronised will miss Sunday's Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown but the Lexus Chase winner remains on course for the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup.

The nine-year-old, trained by Jonjo O'Neill, joins Jessies Dream and Quito De La Roque in missing the weekend feature after that pair were ruled out on Wednesday. .

"Jonjo's not happy with him today and he's not going to send him over for the race," said Frank Berry, racing manager to owner JP McManus on Thursday.

"He won't run again before Cheltenham and hopefully Jonjo will get him right for the Gold Cup."

There is at least positive news coming out of Jessica Harrington's yard regarding her Hennessy hope Bostons Angel.

Harrington tweeted: "Bostons Angel schooled excellent with check pieces on this morning. Full steam ahead for the Hennessy on Sunday."

Walsh Ban Offers Hennessy Chance

Ruby Walsh lost his appeal against a three-day ban incurred for careless riding at Cheltenham on Saturday.

He was found guilty of interference when partnering Pearl Swan to victory in the JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial.

While his mount beat Grumeti by a short head, the two horses got very close in the finish and the stewards opted to reverse the places and ban Walsh.

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) dismissed his appeal at a hearing on Thursday.

Walsh will noe miss out on riding Zarkandar, last year's Triumph Hurdle winner, in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury on 11 February.

He had said before the ban: "You'd never be optimistic [of getting it overturned], but I didn't think it warranted a three-day ban.

"It was very minimal interference and a very minimal offence, if I'm guilty of an offence."

Nicky Lander from the BHA said on Thursday: "I can confirm that Ruby Walsh's appeal against his three-day ban has been dismissed."

The BHA later tweeted that Walsh had successfully requested to defer the second day of his suspension, 12 February, due to there being Grade One action in Ireland.

He will now be free to ride at the Irish Hennessy Gold Cup meeting at Leopardstown and is banned on February 11, 13 and 14.

Walsh left London immediately to catch a flight back to Ireland where he was booked to ride last year's Grand National sixth The Midnight Club at Clonmel later on Thursday.

He tweeted: "Lost appeal but made flight hopefully the midnight club can bring some good out of the day!"

Ruby Makes Hurricane Fly

Hurricane Fly didn't come off the bridle when winning the BHP Insurance Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown on Sunday.

Willie Mullins' star (4-5 fav) had been absent since winning at Punchestown in May but showed class throughout the race with  Ruby Walsh on board.

Walsh pushed him into the lead from front-running stablemate Thousand Stars turning for home and was not hard pressed to saunter to a six and a half length victory.

Jessica Harrington's Oscars Well (8-1) ran his best race of the season to fill the runner-up spot, whilst the well-fancied Unnaccompanied was outpaced before the home turn and could only finish fourth behind Thousand Stars.

Mullins said: "He completely surprised me. It must be as good a performance as he's ever produced. They went a right good gallop. Ruby said he wasn't travelling in the ground early on but once he put him in the race three out, he came alive.

"I was a bit anxious about the ground and he was very quiet beforehand, but maybe he's just maturing. Normally it takes two lads to lead him as he can be a bit tight.

"We had been worried before Cheltenham last year how he would handle everything, including the parade, but he went round like a handicapper today. I was a little concerned he would flop as my first two runners disappointed.

"I was surprised how fit he appeared. We'll keep a lid on him between now and Cheltenham."

The manner of victory predictably saw Hurricane Fly cut across the board to win back-to-back Stan James Champion Hurdles at Cheltenham in March.

The sponsors have him at 5-6 (from 7-4), Boylesports and Sky Bet go 4-5 whilst BetVictor offer 10-11 about Mullins' eight-year-old.

Coral are one of the few firms who don't have the reigning champion at odds-on, with the Barking firm offering even money about a repeat victory.

"It may have been a delayed reappearance for Hurricane Fly, but it was well worth waiting for, and having proved his well being in emphatic fashion, he is now red-hot favourite for back-to-back Champion Hurdle wins," said spokesman David Stevens.

Robbie Power Delivers Citizenship

Robbie Power delivered Citizenship (10-1) with a perfectly-timed challenge to land the valuable Boylesports.com Hurdle. Top weight Staying Article looked to be in control of the ultra-competitive two-mile heat approaching the penultimate flight, but Citizenship was flying on the outside.

Power brought the Jessica Harrington-trained runner to the front at the last and after clearing the obstacle in style, he powered away to win by a length and a quarter.

Leah Claire just shaded the game Staying Article for second while Sweet My Lord was fourth. Scottish Boogie was sent off the 7-1 favourite but he failed to feature in the finish.

“Everything went wrong. He nearly came down at the first and was soon nearly last," Harrington said. “Robbie said that he never sat on one that picked up so quickly when he eventually saw daylight.”

Power added: “That was fantastic. I’ve never won a race when everything went so wrong. He’s as honest and game as you get though, and he is very quick at his hurdles.

“I was supposed to ride Zaarito for Colm Murphy but when the weights went up I was able to ride this fellow. It’s been a hard week as I had half a stone to lose — 10st 3lb is my lowest weight.”

Sir Des Champs maintained his unbeaten record since joining Willie Mullins in the Boylesports.com — Bet On Your Mobile Novice Chase.

A winner at the Cheltenham Festival in March, the French import had won his first two starts over fences without much alarm but faced a tough task here against the highly-regarded Hidden Cyclone.

There were three in line over the last as Fists Of Fury, Hidden Cyclone and the even-money favourite Sir Des Champs were locked together.

A mistake from the favourite seemed to cost him all chance but Davy Russell did not panic and the six-year-old quickened up very smartly to beat Fists Of Fury by half a length with Hidden Cyclone just behind.

The winner was cut to 8-1 from 12s by William Hill for the Jewson Novices’ Chase at the Festival.

Mullins said: “He made a few errors there but he galloped on nicely from the last.

“He is improving slowly and he’ll go for one of the staying novice chases at Cheltenham — either the Jewson or the RSA.”

Russell added: “He was bit lazy throughout but he jumped great.

“He got in a little bit tight to the last but he is a clever horse and he fiddled it. I only had to give him one slap and we were always going to get there. I like him, I like him plenty and anything from two and a half miles up will be fine for him.”

Unaccompanied Townend Wins Istabraq

Unaccompanied showed the boys the way home with victory in the Istabraq Festival Hurdle at Leopardstown.

Dermot Weld's filly beat a host of high-class hurdlers with something to spare under a fine Paul Townend ride.

Thousand Stars was the even-money favourite with Ruby Walsh, but he was unable to match Unaccompanied when she quickened for home.

"I was concerned I was throwing her in the deep end against proven horses, but she answered the call," Weld said.

The four-year-old cruised into the home straight before passing Oscars Well on the run to the final flight, after which she pulled clear for a one-and-a-half-length victory.

She was also a Grade One winner at the same track in February before going on to fill the runner-up spot in the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham.

As a result, Unaccompanied has seen her odds tumble to 12-1 for the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March - and Weld admits he already has one eye on that race.

"The Irish Champion Hurdle in a month's time is the logical step," he said. "And if everything went well we'll look at the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham."

UNACCOMPANIED 2011 VICTORIES

29 December - Leopardstown - Istabraq Festival Hurdle

12 November - Naas - Fishery Lane Hurdle

3 April - Curragh - Listed Alleged Stakes

12 February - Leopardstown - Spring Juvenile Hurdle

McCoy Synchronised Lexus Win

Tony McCoy rode Synchronised to victory in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown in the Republic of Ireland.

The Jonjo O'Neill-trained horse finished ahead of Rubi Light and favourite Quito De La Roque, ridden by Davy Russell.

McCoy, the 16-time jump jockey of the year, previously won the race in 2008 on Exotic Dancer.

Synchronised was originally due to defend the Welsh National on Tuesday, before being re-routed to Leopardstown.

The eight-year-old tracked runner-up Rubi Light and third placed Quito De La Roque into the home straight and swept clear before a fine leap at the last fence sealed victory.

Bookmakers Stan James now make the winner a 12-1 chance for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, while Sky Bet introduced him to their market at 14s.

Lexus Chase (Leopardstown)

1. Synchronised (AP McCoy)

2. Rubi Light (AE Lynch)

3. Quito De La Roque (DN Russell)

9 ran

Big Zeb Does the Business

Big Zeb showed he is still a major force at two miles when landing the Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase at Leopardstown for a third time. Colm Murphy’s 10-year-old held off Noble Prince to add this season’s win to those in the 2008 and 2010 renewals.

The 8-11 favourite powered past Noble Prince on the run to the line to score by a length and a quarter in the hands of Robbie Power. ForPadydeplasterer, who finished third, made the running from Noble Prince, with Golden Silver and Big Zeb together in third and Scotsirish last of the quintet early on.

Tony McCoy made his move on Noble Prince about three fences from home but it was covered by Power on Big Zeb. The pair jumped the last together, while Forpadydeplasterer made a mistake which put paid to any chance he might have had.

Noble Prince battled hard, but the 2010 Queen Mother Champion Chase victor held all of the aces. Murphy said: “It was always going to develop into a bit of a sprint from the second-last and, luckily enough, he met the last two spot-on.

“I’m delighted with the manner that he did it in, even at this stage of his career. He still has enough pace and he seems to have plenty of his old sparkle.I would imagine he could go for the Tied Cottage Chase at Punchestown and we’ll see how we go from there.

“He deserves another crack at the Queen Mother Champion Chase. He looks better this season. His coat is better and he seems a better horse.”

Noble Prince’s trainer Paul Nolan said: “We were beaten by a better horse on the day but I was happy that he galloped to the line better than he did at Navan. The Ryanair Chase is definitely his race at Cheltenham. He probably won’t have a run before then.

“The Tied Cottage Chase is the only race between now and then and it is a week later this year.”

The Willie Mullins-trained Golden Silver, three times a Grade One scorer, including this race in 2009, suffered a fatal fall.

Cross Appeal (7-1) just held on to claim the Paddy Power Chase for trainer Noel Meade and jockey Paul Carberry. Leading some way out, Cross Appeal was weary on the run-in but still had three-quarters of a length to spare over Treacle at the line.

Meade said: “We’ll probably give him six weeks of rest and the Irish National is something we will have to think about.”

Cash And Go (11-2) just denied Dylan Ross in a surprising outcome to the paddypower.com Future Champions Novice Hurdle. Odds-on favourite Sous Les Cieux set out to make all of the running, but had nothing more to give when challenged approaching the final flight and was only third.

Andrew Lynch, replacing Paul Townend who took a bad fall from Golden Silver in the previous race, brought Cash And Go with a well-timed run to land this Grade One prize by half a length.

“It’s not a big surprise as we were very hopeful beforehand,” said trainer Edward O’Grady. “The Supreme Novices’ Hurdle looks like his race at Cheltenham. They generally get the easier ground on the first day of the Festival and that should be OK.

“He’s only a four-year-old so he needs to be looked after a bit.”

O’Grady also saddled The Way We Were (9-2) to take the paddypower.com Android App Maiden Hurdle under Tony McCoy for owner JP McManus.

The Leopardstown Christmas Festival

The Leopardstown Christmas Festival swings into action on St Stephen's Day and the highlight of day one is the Grade One Racing Post Novice Chase.

Bog Warrior, so impressive in the Drinmore, drops back in trip and is joined by stablemate Gift Of Dgab in giving Gigginstown House Stud a strong hand.

The owners' exciting Sir Des Champs has been re-routed to Limerick, but champion trainer Willie Mullins is well represented courtesy of classy hurdler Blackstairmountain, who made an excellent start to his fencing career at Clonmel.

The United Arab Emirates Embassy Juvenile Hurdle carries Grade Two status and sees Sam Bass attempting to confirm his Fairyhouse superiority over His Excellency, One Cool Shabra and Burrenbridge Lodge.

The Dermot Weld-trained Celebrity Sevi brings quality Flat form to the table and another unknown quanity is the French import Pur Style, who gets a fillies allowance on her first outing for Edward O'Grady.

Marasonnien also kept good company in France and has been snapped up to join Mullins, for whom he makes his debut in the opening racingpost.com Maiden Hurdle at 12.20.

Mullins then lowers the sights of Royal Bond fourth Midnight Game for the United Arab Emirates Embassy 4YO Maiden Hurdle, and he also takes the wraps off Champagne Fever, who bids to justify his prominent position in the Champion Bumper betting when he starts off under rules in the Irish Foal Levy (C & G) INH Flat Race.

Donnas Palm doesn't look like hitting the same heights over fences as he did over the smaller obstacles, but he makes his handicap debut in the sphere off a comparatively lenient rating.

Peak Raider and Jigalo may be his chief threats in the Racing Post All You Need For Irish Racing Handicap Chase.

Askthemaster scored over fences at this meeting 12 months ago but has regressed since, yet still heads the weights for the Download The Free Racing Post App. Handicap Hurdle.