By Cathal Dervan

Trabolgan boosted his chances of a crack at the Cheltenham Gold Cup after defying top weight in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup on Saturday under jockey Mick Fitzgerald.

“It was one of those days when everything goes to plan - no blips and an amazing day,” said Fitzgerald. “I think the Gold Cup is looking more and more open now that Kicking King has been beaten in his first two races this season. Unfortunately we haven’t got Best Mate any longer so it opens the door for a lot of other horses and you’d have to say this fellow has still got to find improvement.

“He’s won the Hennessy off 151 whereas when Burrough Hill Lad won it he was a previous Gold Cup winner. You are looking at a different picture but this fellow of ours certainly comes into it now.”

Meanwhile, Moscow Flyer has been ruled out of the William Hill Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown on Saturday after scoping dirty.

“He is not going to Sandown on Saturday. He scoped dirty after working at the Curragh and is now on antibiotics,” said trainer Jessica Harrington.

Jockey Hurt

Jockey Ruby Walsh will be out of action for a month after dislocating a shoulder at Navan last weekend.

Walsh expects to be back by Christmas.

Soccer Shorts

CORK City warmed up for Sunday’s FAI Carlsberg Cup final against Drogheda United with a 4-1 win over Youghal United in a friendly on Sunday. George O’Callaghan scored a hat-trick with Denis Behan also on target . . .

BRENDAN Rea has been ousted as manager of Waterford United despite keeping the team in the Premier Division of the Eircom League after a season long fight against relegation . . .

DERRY City scored a double at the PFAI awards on Sunday night when Mark Farren was named senior player of the year and Pat McCourt picked up the young player award . . .

DERMOT Keely has decided to stay on as manager of newly promoted Dublin City after all despite a tempting offer to take charge of Irish League side Newry City . . .

LEEDS United are ready to sign Irish winger Andy Reid on a two-month loan deal from Spurs . . .

STRIKING legend Turlough O’Connor is to succeed John Gill as Athlone Town boss . . .

STRIKER Daryl Murphy has joined Sheffield Wednesday on loan from Sunderland . . .

CORK-born goalkeeper Colin Doyle has moved from Birmingham to Millwall on loan . . .

DUNDALK have confirmed the appointment of John Gill as their new manager . . .

DERRY City have released defender Damien Brennan . . .

IRELAND are down to joint 23rd place in the latest FIFA rankings . . .

GALWAY United have appointed Nick Leeson to the position of general manager after less than a year working as their commercial director . . .

PRESTON North End have joined Celtic and West Ham in the chase for Spurs defender and Ireland under-21 captain Stephen Kelly . . .

DROGHEDA United defender Stephen Gray is a major injury doubt for Sunday’s FAI Cup final against Cork City.

WATERFORD United have appointed former Limerick boss Mike Kerley as their new manager.

GAA Shorts

SEAMUS Murphy has been given the go ahead to complete the second year of his two-year contract as Wexford hurling manager by the county board. Mick Kinsella will again coach the side and work with selectors Johnny Murphy and Denis Doyle . . .

OFFALY hurling legend Brian Whelehan is to extend his inter-county career by at least another year. Manager John McIntyre has appointed Joachim Kelly as a new selector alongside the incumbent Daithi Regan.

FORMER Laois hurling boss Paudie Butler is to coach the Kerry hurlers alongside manager Jerry Molyneaux.