Horse racing is to enter a new era of collaboration across the Irish Sea with the news that officials in Britain have signed a deal to provide integrity services to support their counterparts in Ireland. The contract, due to commence in the spring, amounts to a recognition that the British Horseracing Authority has some expertise in this area and headcount at its High Holborn office is to increase to fulfil its new obligations.
Niall Cronin, communications manager at the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board, explained: “The IHRB issued a tender for an external company to provide additional monitoring of betting trends on Irish racing to support our existing integrity functions and provide additional information to our stewards with regard to any issues or concerns that may arise.
“Following the procurement process, the BHA were identified as the preferred supplier. The BHA will be supporting the IHRB in monitoring of betting on Irish racing and we will also be co-operating in other areas of intelligence.”
The BHA has no history of taking on such contract work for other regulators but its spokesman, Robin Mounsey, said that the benefits of closer co-operation with Irish officials were too good to pass up. “The improved collaboration that this agreement will bring will benefit those who work in, bet on and follow racing on both sides of the Irish Sea,” he said.
“Using a single intelligence management and monitoring system, as well as recruiting a dedicated resource to monitor the majority of Irish racing from a betting perspective will further protect the integrity of both British and Irish racing and allow the relationship that exists between the BHA and IHRB to grow closer still.”
While the degree of proposed collaboration is new, the two regulators have had a good working relationship for years. IHRB vets have assisted the BHA in the build-up to major racing festivals by carrying out tests on some intended runners based in Ireland. Dr Lynn Hillyer, head of anti-doping and chief veterinary officer at the IHRB, joined straight from a nine-year stretch at the BHA. CC
Mullins hit with Festival triple-blow
Willie Mullins will be without Saldier, Klassical Dream and Douvan at the Cheltenham Festival in March.
Douvan had not been seen since November and the news that the Champion Chase hopeful was not going to line up was not a surprise but the announcement that both Saldier and Kalssical Dream will miss the Champion Hurdle will be felt keenly at the Irish trainer’s yard. The pair’s absence raises the possibility of Benie Des Dieux being supplemented for the race, as was intimated by her owner Rich Ricci last week.
Mullins told the Racing Post: “I have to report that both Klassical Dream and Saldier are out of the Unibet Champion Hurdle picture and won’t be going to the Festival.
“We had to withdraw Klassical Dream from the PCI Irish Champion Hurdle last weekend, but the leg infection he picked up and which looked a minor problem on Friday night has turned out to be a bit more serious and we’ve decided to leave him alone. Unfortunately, he’s going to miss the rest of the season.
“Saldier hasn’t progressed well enough since the setback he had after winning the Morgiana Hurdle in November and he won’t make the Festival. We’ll just have to see how things go and, hopefully, he might make it back for Punchestown.
“Douvan started the season so well when winning the Clonmel Oil Chase in good style in November on his return from a lengthy absence, but he hasn’t run since and we’re just not happy with him. Whether he’ll be right to go to Punchestown remains to be seen.”
Friday’s best bets
Nefyn Point (3.50) should go well at around 6-1 on the Bangor card, while Fantastic Flyer (7.15) is worth an interest at decent odds to return to form at Chelmsford City this evening. Dean Ivory’s mare is generally consistent and only 2lb higher than for her latest win over course and distance. Jorvik Prince (8.15), meanwhile, will take all the beating in the finale having returned to form in convincing fashion on his first start for Mick Appleby last time. GW
Kempton 1.20 Notre Ami 1.50 Global Society 2.25 Celtic Joy 2.55 Imperial Elysian (nap) 3.30 Touch Kick 4.00 Lord Baddesley 4.30 Flinteur Sacre
Bangor-On-Dee 1.40 If You Say Run 2.10 Big Difference 2.45 Bob And Co 3.15 The Cashel Man 3.50 Nefyn Point 4.20 Gaelik Coast 4.50 Faivoir
Southwell 2.00 Sambucca Spirit 2.35 Stagiaire 3.05 Straitouttacompton 3.40 Sandridge Lad 4.10 Padleyourowncanoe 4.40 Letmestopyouthere
Chelmsford City 4.35 Bold Decision 5.10 Elusif 5.45 Antonine Road 6.15 Roundabout Magic 6.45 Lady Shanawell 7.15 Fantastic Flyer 7.45 Spenny’s Lass 8.15 Jorvik Prince (nb)
