Michael O'Sullivan Chase the Easter highlight at Cork Racecourse Mallow
Lucy and James Atherton at Killeady Hunt point to point races at Dromahane. Picture: Eddie O'Hare
All roads lead to Cork Racecourse in Mallow this Easter weekend.
The undoubted highlight is the €37,500 Grade 3 Michael O’Sullivan Chase on Easter Sunday.
The three day Racing Home For Easter festival kicks off on Saturday and runs through until Monday.
The Cork hurling game with Clare will be shown on screens at the track on Sunday.
There will be a free, regular, shuttle bus service from Mallow Town and Train Station.
The sponsors of Sunday's featured race Bar One Racing along with Cork Racecourse announced recently that the late Lombardstown jockey Michael O’Sullivan would be honoured at the Easter Festival with the three-mile chase on Sunday to be run in his memory at his local track.
The race attracted 13 entries at the five day stage with Gordon Elliott declaring four and Willie Mullins three.
The all conquering Closutton trainer has won the last three renewals of this race with Asterion Forlonge winning last year.
In 2023, Bachasson landed the prize and Melon won it in 2022.
All three were Cork owned with Joe and Marie Donnelly landing two of those victories.
Last Year's winner Asterion Forlonge sets the standard again this year with a rating of 157.
He was admittedly well beaten in Thurles by Hewick in March, In the context of this race that reads like decent form.
He holds stable companion Kilcruit on that form. Asterion Forlonge is probably a better horse over hurdles and his second to Teahupoo over hurdles last April is top class form.
Ash Tree Meadow is the pick of Gordon Elliott's entries.
He unseated in the recent Aintree Grand National. While he is rated a pound superior to Asterion Forlonge on official ratings - I'd be more inclined to side with Asterion Forlonge to replicate last year's success.
VECU can shed his maiden status with Jamie Spencer a rare booking for John Gosden.
He's been off for 224 days since Kempton when he was backed into 4/5 from 2/1.
He finished strongly that day suggesting the step up to a mile will suit.
The unknown quantity is Ryan Moore's mount Christmas Gift who makes her debut. The market will be the best guide to her prospects.
But Vecu rated 86 sets a fair standard.
The match of the weekend on the flat between two horses with huge reputations.
SQUARE NECKER was a big gamble at Doncaster in a maiden when third on debut to a Godolphin horse.
Owned by AMO Racing the market will be crucial regarding his chances.
Willie Haggas saddles a big talking horse OPPORTUNITY who was given a gentle introduction at Nottingham on bad ground last Autumn.
He holds an Epsom Derby entry.
The market will tell us which of this pair will win.
ASTERION FORLONGE Can replicate last year's victory for the Donnellys.
App?
