Irish fixtures spoiled by the weather but King George star could light up proceedings
Whether it's Britain or Ireland, the focus this week has been on the weather forecast for the days to come, with the current cold snap and the accompanying snow that fell last Saturday night having wiped out last weekend's programme of fixtures in the pointing fields.
The Irish regulator moved swiftly to offer the committees organising last Sunday's two cancelled fixtures at Ballindenisk and Tinahely the option of a replacement date tomorrow, and both have taken it.
All eyes are now on the temperature gauges to see if the forecasted thaw, which is to begin today, will come in time to allow the four fixtures to go ahead.
Having to reschedule a full weekend's programme onto the following weekend is never ideal, particularly in January, when many handlers elect to vaccinate their horses. Unfortunately, for the two committees due to race on Sunday, the cold snap has had a particularly negative impact on their entry numbers.
Just 68 horses have been entered for Turtulla, which is down 33 per cent on the 102 entries for the corresponding fixture 12 months ago, with an even larger 38 per cent drop for Aghabullogue on their 2024 entry.
For committees that host just one fixture per season, such unforeseen events can be a financial blow, but providing weather conditions allow, those racegoers who turn out at Aghabullogue have the prospect of seeing a former King George VI Chase winner lining up.
Tornado Flyer was one of the standout names to have received a hunter certificate in recent weeks, and the now 12-year-old could bid to overcome an absence of 787 days, as he is one of eight entries for the open at the Cork venue. Now under the care of Cheltenham festival-winning trainer Paul Hennessy, the Flemensfirth gelding was trained by Willie Mullins when he returned as a 28-1 winner of the Kempton Christmas feature in 2021.
This season has largely lacked an influx of notable ex-track stars to the open division, but Tornado Flyer could kickstart an upturn in that particular area, with the Grade 1-placed pair of Run Wild Fred and Hollow Games having received hunter certificates within the past month.
Weekend fixtures
Saturday
Ballindenisk, first race 12.30
Tinahely, first race 12.30
Sunday
Aghabullogue, first race 12.30
Turtulla, first race 12.30
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