It's very hard to come upon a refreshing perspective on the Horn of Africa but of all the places to look, who would have expected to find reprieve from the very stale yet chilling reports in a horse racing column!

The beleaguered state of Eritrea, much like the philly named Eritrea

" ... is a better filly on better ground, although she's won on both types."

A perfect correlation to the guerilla war-fare and trench-style battle victories under Eritrea's national belt.

"She has a lovely, powerful action, and she actually propels herself along, rather than galloping."

Again, thanks to a rich dose of God-given resilience and passion for self-sufficiency, the people of Eritrea are lovely, powerful and propel through 'hell AND high water.

"She's got grace, courage and heart, and that's what you have to have for hurdles."

Well, Eritrea has whatever it takes to surmount the hurdles thrust into her path.

"She has the bottle for the game."

Indeed, endurance and stamina to hang in there, in the clefts of the rocky terrain literally and figuratively.

I think the philly's name possesses a winning streak but the favor is reciprocated somewhere in the realms by the horse imparting good omens towards the Eritrean state. Pardon the strong bias, I simply couldn't resist.

Marta S

FLYNN BOXING CLEVER WITH ERITREA

By Thomas Deane, PA Sport

Eritrea is on course to bid for a hat-trick over timber as handler Patrick Flynn views a Grade One assignment on Boxing Day.

Having won at Galway in October, the youngster went in again at Gowran Park last week to earn a step up in class in the Durkan New Homes Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown.

"She's in the Grade One and we hope to go there," confirmed Flynn, whose charge is among 17 preliminary entries for the two-mile event.

"She has a nice pedigree as her dam was by Caerleon and she is getting better as the months go on as she's still a little bit weak.

"But she's doing everything very well at the moment and she's come out of her last race very well, so it looks like we'll go to Leopardstown all being well.

"We think she is actually a better filly on better ground, although she's won on both types.

"She has a lovely, powerful action, and she actually propels herself along, rather than galloping.

"She's got grace, courage and heart, and that's what you have to have for hurdles.

"She has the bottle for the game."

Among a host of interesting entries is Jarlath Fahey's Maca Rince, who had Franchoek's conqueror Harper Valley back in third when winning last time.

Formerly with Terry Mills, Jessica Harrington's entrant Personal Column is one from one over timber to date - a record he shares with Murtagh and Sonnium, who are also engaged.

Source:
http://www.sportinglife.com/

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