CUSTOM CUT, winner of the Group Three Big Bad Bob Gladness Stakes at the Curragh 12 months ago, is set to return to Headquarters next Sunday, 13th April to defend his crown. Formerly trained by George Kent and now in the hands of David O’Meara in Britain, Custom Cut made all to land the prize last year and his trainer is hopeful of a similar outcome this time around.
“The horse is in really good form and the intention is to run him on Sunday,” commented O’Meara today. “He won’t mind a bit of cut in the ground and we anticipate a big run from him.”
Custom Cut will face a maximum of nine rivals in the seven furlong contest, including the Aidan O’Brien duo of Afonso De Sousa and Cristoforo Colombo. Charles O’Brien is also double handed with Pop Art and last month’s Dundalk scorer Lottie Dod, while Tommy Stack is represented by Wannabe Better.
Parish Hall landed the Listed The Irish Field Alleged Stakes 12 months ago and is one two entries for the Jim Bolger stable in this year’s renewal. However, the son of Teofilo is unlikely to take his chance according to his Coolcullen-based trainer. “Parish Hall wants good ground and he is unlikely to get it on Sunday,” said Bolger today. “My other entry for the race is Light Heavy and he is likely to take his change. The horse is in good form and won’t mind a bit of cut in the ground.”
The race has also attracted 10 entries with Alive Alive Oh, Tarana and recent Irish Lincolnshire winner Stuccodor all likely to be very prominent in the betting. The first of seven races commences at 2.15pm and the ground is currently soft on the round course and soft to heavy on the straight track.
The race day will have a War Horse theme with the opportunity to meet Joey, the spectacular life size horse puppet, from the award winning stage show, which is currently on at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre in Dublin. The cast members from the show will also be in attendance, while video clips will be shown on screens throughout the racecourse during the afternoon and there will be the opportunity to win tickets to the show.
Adult Admission 15 euro, Family Package 25 euro, Under 16s Free admission
The Curragh Racecourse is located off exit 12 of the M7. Free car parking, trains to Kildare Town with free shuttle bus to races (before racing), Dublin Coach provide race day service (see dublincoach.ie)
