Horse Racing News Etc.

[dennisg]

Cadzand is the new favourite for Sunday’s Betfair Hurdle after 28 runners stood their ground for the rearranged contest.

With Harry Fry choosing not to run Metier, Dan Skelton’s Cadzand is now the 9-2 market leader with the sponsors.

He is owned by Chelsea Thoroughbreds and Mark Speelman, who runs the National Hunt side of the operation, is hopeful of a bold show from the Kempton winner.

“It’s a great effort by everyone to get the race rearranged, especially with the same prize money – it makes a big difference,” he said.

“You couldn’t say the race has cut-up, but it is obviously quite nice not to have Harry Fry’s horse in there and it’s very exciting.

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Get FREE bets at Cheltenham Festival
“Novices do have a good record in the race, but Metier would have had to give us plenty of weight had he run. My Tent Or Yours carried something similar, but it does take a big performance.

“He travelled like a nice horse last time at Kempton and the form has worked out since with the second (Christopher Wood) winning the Scottish County Hurdle at Musselburgh.

“He’s really a chaser in the making, but at the moment he’s not doing anything wrong over hurdles, so we see no reason not to take this step off his current rating.

“It’s very exciting – we don’t have many National Hunt horses, so fingers crossed he can fly the flag on Sunday. We hope we can create some interest off the back of it as lots of people are excited. If he were to win, there might be a couple more, you never know. Nothing is confirmed at the moment regarding jockeys.”

Nicky Henderson’s Buzz heads the weights with Soaring Glory, Milkwood and Shakem Up’Arry among the others.

Betfair Spokesman, Barry Orr, commented today: ‘’The abdication of long time ante-post favourite, Metier, means that Cadzand now heads the market at 9/2, with Soring Glory next in the betting at 11/2’’

Such is the competitiveness of the race that they are the only two runners currently quoted in single figures. It’s 10/1 bar the two’’

As expected, Champ has been entered in the two-mile Betfair Cheltenham Free Bet Pot Builder Game Spirit Chase by Nicky Henderson.

He could face Greaneteen and Sceau Royal in the Grade Two.

In the Betfair Denman Chase, dual King George winner Clan Des Obeaux is one of 10 possibles, along with last year’s Gold Cup third Lostintranslation.

The Betfair Hurdle – Sponsors Odds: 9/2 Cadzand, 11/2 Soaring Glory, 10/1 Buzz, Mister Coffey, Edwardstone, 12/1 Sky Pirate, On To Victory, Milkwood, Annual Invictus, Fifty Ball, 14/1 Lightly Squeeze, Guard Your Dreams, Shakem Up’arry, Thyme White, 16/1 Wild Max, For Pleasure, 20/1 Friend or Foe, Mack The Man, Galice Macalo, Glory And Fortune, 25/1 Ballinsker, 33/1 Gumball, Fred, Highway One O Two, Oakley, 50/1 Night Edition, Dans Le Vent, 66/1 Crooks Peak

*Each Way 1/5, 5 Places

[dennisg]

Graham Clark talks to Sandy Thomson, Neil Mulholland and Phillip Hobbs ahead of Thursday's meeting at Sandown.

Sandy Thomson hopes Little Mo can provide him with some welcome pain relief at Sandown Park on Thursday as the trainer recovers after breaking a number of ribs.

If the mare can take both a step up in class and trip in her stride in the Grade Two Jane Seymour Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle she could complete a hat-trick of wins for the season.

But former rugby player Thomson will have to make do with watching the nine year old from the comfort of his home after suffering a painful injury on Sunday while taking a number of his horses to the beach.

He explained: “I’m afraid I won’t be coming down to Sandown as I had a fall on the ice on Sunday and cracked some ribs. We were taking the horses to the beach and I had to stop and get out the lorry. The road had not been gritted and I fell over.

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“I went to the Borders General Hospital to get some pain relief but I knew immediately what I had done. It was just one of things and we got the horses sorted and I got back okay.

“It should take between three to five weeks to heal but it is just agony every time you move. There is not much you can do apart from sit and suffer.”

Little Mo is unbeaten since joining Thomson, having followed up her first time out victory at Hexham at Musselburgh. And although she is yet to race over two and a half miles under rules, the Lambden handler is confident she will have no problem getting the trip.

Thomson, who saddled Seeyouatmidnight to glory in the final of the Veterans Chase Series at the same track last month, added: “She has done nothing wrong since coming across and she deserves to take her chance in this. It doesn’t look the strongest race and I’m confident the extra distance will suit her. We think she has a good chance.

“We had not had her long when she won at Hexham and that was a very good performance. Then she did it very well at Musselburgh, though I’m not sure what she beat that day.

“She has had her wind done since Musselburgh as she was making a bit of a noise, but she seems well.”

Sandymount Rose is another chasing a hat-trick of wins following victories at Exeter and Ludlow and though the seven year old has proved effective over further, her trainer Neil Mulholland does not believe the drop back in trip will hinder her chances.

Mulholland said: “She does meet a few wrong at the weights but she is entitled to go for it. The owner is an owner/breeder and it is great for them to try and win a race like this.

“We know that she stays three miles as we saw last time so coming back in trip in these conditions will be fine as she will be staying on up the hill. She was a bit unlucky at the start of her career and it was never a question of her attitude, she just kept bumping into one so it has been nice to see her get her head in front lately.”

Little River Bay will attempt to go one better than both Little Mo and Sandymount Rose by completing a four-timer, and her trainer Philip Hobbs believes the improving six year old has plenty in her favour ahead of what he describes as her toughest test so far.

He said: “Little River Bay has been in very good form since her Newbury run. She coped with the heavy ground that day and no doubt it will be very testing again. This is her toughest test to date but hopefully she has a good chance.

“She jumped and travelled well at Newbury last time but she was still a bit green so hopefully she will have learnt from that. After her two starts last season you definitely thought she would win races, but she has done much better than that.”

Harry Fry believes the added emphasis on stamina will help bolster the chances of Misty Whisky going one better than on her most recent appearance in the Lanzarote Hurdle at Kempton Park.

He said: “She has got course form on heavy ground as she won the Listed bumper here in 2019. It’s going to be testing and she has got a little bit to find at the weights with a few of them. But she has been in good form and deserves to take her chance in a race like this.

“She was making up a lot of ground late on in the Lanzarote and when she won her Listed bumper here she only really got going in the last furlong - hopefully we will see that again.

“This is a slight drop back in trip with Lanzarote being over 2m 5f that but that was around a flat track and there is not much difference between that and this on a stiff track on testing ground. Hopefully she will run another good race.”

The eight runner field is completed by Anythingforlove from the Jamie Snowden yard, Belle De Manech, who will represent Anthony Honeyball, the Philip Kirby-trained Rayna’s World and Uptown Lady, who will fly the flag for Jonjo O’Neill.

[dennisg]

Willie Mullins feels his best hope of winning this year’s Randox Grand National is Burrows Saint who has been given 10st 13lb for the great race.

The eight year old gelding has only been seen on a racecourse four times since May 2019 but the handicapper has seen enough to give him a rating of 156 and allocate a weight of 10st 13lbs.

Mullins won the world’s greatest steeplechase in 2005 with Hedgehunter and came agonisingly close to repeating the feat 13 years later when Tiger Roll just held off a late charge from Pleasant Company.

This year Mullins has eight entries for the world’s greatest steeplechase and rates Burrows Saint as his best chance.

The Closutton handler said: “It is what we’ve been aiming for now for the last 24 months. He’s got a nice racing weight on 10st 13lbs - we can’t complain about that.

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“He’s yet to really come into form for me (this season), but I’m hoping that we can do that in the near future. We’ve got a few runs into him and the ground has been unusually heavy – I think he’s always better on spring ground.

“He will be fitter for his last run. I needed to get a run into him and it wasn’t our preferred option on the ground, but we had to go and take our chance and I think he’ll be better once the spring weather comes and the ground dries out a little bit, he’ll be back to himself I think.

“He could have another run before. The Bobbyjo (Chase, Fairyhouse, 27th February) is usually our preferred route, so both he and Acapella Bourgeois could go there.”

Mullins is responsible for eight of Ireland’s 43 entries, and he also assessed the chances of his seven other contenders:

Acapella Bourgeois

“He’s getting on now as an 11 year old, and might be past his best, but we’ll see how he gets on in the Bobbyjo (Chase).

“I thought we might have got a little more leeway with a horse of his age, but the handicapper has a tough job and at least we’re in the race! So we’ll have to see how things will turn out.

“I think both Acapella Bourgeois and Burrows Saint will love Aintree. With their style of jumping and the type of ground you get there, I think both of them will really love it.”

Brahma Bull

“I’m happy enough with his weight. He’ll love the trip I think and keep jumping away, so I’m happy with that.

“He’s by Presenting, so I’m not sure he loved that really heavy ground at Gowran on Thyestes day. A lot of horses by him don’t relish the track, and he’s another who prefers nicer ground.

“I imagine he’ll have a run before April. He might go to the Bobbyjo or head for an alternative, we’ll see what happens.”

Class Conti

“I thought he ran a cracker in the Thyestes, so that’s him coming back into form. I’m sure I’ll try and get another run into him as well.”

Cabaret Queen

“She was disappointing in the same race (the Thyestes) last time out and she will definitely have another run. She’s another who will be suited by drier ground, and whether the trip suits her, who knows? But she loves jumping and gallops on good ground and these are questions that we’ll only get answers to on the day.”

Robin Des Foret

“Hopefully he’ll just squeeze in. It’s something we haven’t really thought of before and was a speculative entry and I think our owners were keen to have a day out.

“Whether they’ll be allowed in by that time I don’t know, but he’s come back to us in good form and should have a run before Aintree as well.”

Saturnas

“I think we’ll probably have to start looking for an alternative for Saturnas, maybe the Irish National, as he’ll need luck to get in.”

Bellow Mome

“He’s got no hope of getting in so we’ll be going down the handicap route I’m sure as well.”

[dennisg]

Check out who heads the Timeform weight-adjusted ratings for the Randox Grand National at Aintree on April 10 following the announcement of the weights.

Anibale Fly and Potters Corner stand out as the pick of the weights for the 2021 Randox Health Grand National at Aintree on Saturday 10 April according to Timeform’s weight-adjusted ratings.

Fourth in 2018 and fifth in 2019, Anibale Fly has been allotted a weight of 10-12 as he attempts to win the Grand National at the third attempt for Tony Martin and J.P. McManus. Crucially, his rating of 155 is 9 lb lower than when he last contested the race and 12 lb lower than that allocated to the three top weights for the 2021 edition, namely Bristol de Mai, Easysland and Santini.

Speaking after the weights were revealed on Tuesday, Timeform’s chase handicapper Phil Turner explained: “Anibale Fly is potentially the best-handicapped runner in the line-up judged on his placed efforts in both the 2018 and 2019 Cheltenham Gold Cups. In addition, he’s also coped pretty well on both tries over the Aintree fences, finishing fourth in 2018 and fifth in 2019. His 2019/20 campaign was being geared solely around Aintree rather than Cheltenham and he very much caught the eye on his final prep run over hurdles before Covid-19 intervened. That run suggests he retains plenty of his ability, so he remains an interesting contender for all that a lengthy absence since then renders him a bit of an unknown quantity at present.”


Potters Corner has been allotted a weight of 10-6 and looks all but guaranteed a run from a rating of 149, needing only three horses to come out between now and raceday to line up for the Christian Williams yard. That mark looks potentially lenient judged on the form of his victory in last season’s Welsh Grand National, albeit Turner acknowledges that Potters Corner will need to bounce back from a couple of lacklustre efforts over hurdles in recent weeks.

“Potters Corner won the ‘Virtual National’ last April and has plenty to recommend him in the actual race itself,” Turner added. “His win in last season’s Welsh Grand National worked out well, whilst his reappearance third in a cross-country event at Cheltenham was a very satisfactory display, particularly as he finished a place in front of Easysland that day. He’s since run in two Pertemps Qualifiers back over hurdles, connections opting for that route in order to protect his handicap mark for Aintree. That part of the plan has worked as he’s certainly competitively-handicapped on his best form but, in truth, it would have been nice to see him show a bit more life on each of those two recent hurdling spins.”

That brings us on to Tiger Roll, who has been given a mark of 166 and a weight of 11-9 in his attempt to become only the second time three-time winner of the Grand National after Red Rum (he had been assigned top weight of 11-10 off a rating of 170 in 2020).

Tiger Roll only just held on when recording his first Aintree success from a mark of 150 in 2018, but he could hardly have been more impressive when repeating the dose from 9 lb higher the following year, winning readily under a weight of 11-5 and running to a Timeform rating of 165 in the process. When you consider that Tiger Roll has also won four times at the Cheltenham Festival it’s fair to say that his CV is already that of a modern jumping great.

Admittedly, Tiger Roll has endured a lean spell since his second Aintree win. Tiger Roll was well-beaten behind Easysland when seeking a fifth Festival success, and perhaps even more concerning was the tame performance he produced when last in action at Cheltenham’s November Meeting, where he sweated up beforehand and never travelled with any zest before being pulled up. He has already achieved so much in his career to date – and defied so many doubters along the way – that it is difficult to oppose him with total confidence in his attempt to overcome the weight of history once again, but Turner is prepared to look elsewhere at this stage, with The Storyteller (11-8) and The Conditional (10-6) heading his shortlist.

“Tiger Roll’s Aintree record obviously counts for plenty and he isn’t completely handicapped out of things if judged on the form of 2019 Grand National,” Turner said. “That is a big ‘if’, however, as recent evidence suggests he may not retain that level of ability and/or enthusiasm, so he’s probably best opposed at this stage.

“The Storyteller is a remarkably versatile performer who has mixed hurdling and chasing with plenty of success over the past two winters. His recent second to Kemboy in the Irish Gold Cup showed him to be better than ever too, whilst his past exploits in Cheltenham Festival handicaps also suggest he’ll relish the demands of a hurly-burly big-field Grand National. Should he turn up at Aintree on April 10, then he’d be a must for any shortlist.

“On the face of it, The Conditional doesn’t have anything in hand of the BHA handicapper at present having had to settle for minor honours on both starts so far this season. That said, he has many attributes which suggest he could be a major player in the Grand National – his smooth-travelling style should ensure he’ll be able to hold a good tactical position as others meet trouble in running, whilst he also scores highly in terms of both jumping and attitude. He makes decent each-way appeal at around 25/1.”

Timeform’s Grand National weight-adjusted ratings
185 ANIBALE FLY
183 POTTERS CORNER
181 ASO
181 FARCLAS
180 JERRYSBACK
180 KIMBERLITE CANDY
180 LAKE VIEW LAD
180 THE STORYTELLER
179p SECRET REPRIEVE
Selected others
178 BRISTOL DE MAI
178 SANTINI
178 YALA ENKI
177 MAGIC OF LIGHT
177 THE CONDITIONAL
177? TIGER ROLL
176 CLOTH CAP
175+ PRESENTING PERCY
169+ EASYSLAND

[dennisg]

Gordon Elliott has issued an upbeat report on several of his stable stars, with the Cheltenham Festival now only four weeks away.

While big rival Willie Mullins dominated the recent Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown with a staggering eight winners in two days, Elliott decided to keep his powder dry for next month’s showpiece meeting in the Cotswolds with his a number of his biggest guns.

The star of the squad is the unbeaten Envoi Allen, who having already won the Champion Bumper and the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle, is a red-hot favourite to complete a Festival hat-trick in the Marsh Novices’ Chase.

The seven-year-old was last seen making it three from three over fences at Punchestown in January.

“Envoi Allen is in good form,” Elliott told Sky Sports Racing. “He’s horse who’ll only ever do what he has to do, but he keeps winning and once he keeps doing that, I don’t mind.”

Zanahiyr jumps big and bold
Zanahiyr jumps big and bold
Another horse who has yet to taste defeat since joining Elliott is Triumph Hurdle favourite Zanahiyr.

Following the Grade One success of stable companion Quilixios at Leopardstown, some suggested Zanahiyr could take on his elders in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham, leaving Quilixios to run in the Triumph.

Elliott, however, has quashed that theory, saying: “Zanahiyr is in great form. I don’t know where all the talk of him running in the Supreme came from – I never even suggested it to anyone.

“We gave him an entry to keep our options open, but I took him out of it and he’s definitely going to go for the Triumph.”

Galvin tracking Doctor Duffy at Cheltenham
Galvin tracking Doctor Duffy at Cheltenham
Another Cheltenham-bound runner for whom the Cullentra handler holds high hopes is Galvin, who has purposely been kept fresh for the National Hunt Chase since winning at Prestbury Park in October.

Elliott is keeping his fingers crossed Jamie Codd will be able to ride, with all amateurs currently unable to ride under rules due to coronavirus restrictions.

“Galvin has had a break and will go straight to Cheltenham,” Elliott added. “He’s got loads of experience and was second in Cheltenham last year over fences. He’s also won there, so he’s got loads of experience around the track, which is a massive help.

“We don’t know if the amateurs are going to be able to ride or not. If they are, that will be a massive game changer for us as you have half a stone up your sleeve straight away when you’ve got one of the good Irish fellas riding.

“Time will tell whether they’ll be able to ride or not, but for them I hope they can, because it’s not nice for them to miss the Festival.”

Davy Russell returns in triumph aboard Samcro
Davy Russell returns in triumph aboard Samcro
Whether Samcro will be part of Elliott’s Cheltenham squad remains uncertain.

The nine-year-old has won the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle and the Marsh Novices’ Chase at the Festival, but was pulled up on his latest outing in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown in December.

Elliott said: “Samcro is entered at the weekend (Red Mills Chase at Gowran Park), (but) again the ground will be the worry.

“We’ll probably look at something like the Ryanair Chase with him, but he’s not easy to train. He’s very hot and cold – when he’s good he’s good and when he’s bad he’s very bad.”

[dennisg]

Saturday’s card at Gowran has been called off due to a waterlogged track.

The fixture was due to feature the Grade Two Red Mills Chase and the track is hoping the meeting can be rearranged next week.

The track tweeted: “Unfortunately our Red Mills Day card fixed for tomorrow has been abandoned due to a waterlogged track. We are hoping to reschedule for late next week. Update to follow.”

[dennisg]

Leading jockey Davy Russell will miss next month’s Cheltenham Festival after failing to sufficiently recover from injury in time.

Russell - who won the Gold Cup aboard Lord Windermere in 2014 - has been on the sidelines since dislocating and fracturing vertebrae in a first-fence fall in the Munster National at Limerick in October aboard Doctor Duffy.

Having returned to riding out last month, the 41-year-old was hoping to be back in time to ride at the Festival, but has now admitted time has run out.

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Build Your Free Pot For Cheltenham offer
In a statement he said on Thursday: “I met with my surgeon earlier today and, although he is delighted with the progress I have made, he feels I’m not quite where I should be in order to ride at Cheltenham next month.

“It is frustrating as I feel I have made giant strides in recent weeks on the road to recovery. However, after talking things through with Gordon, we both feel it sensible for me to follow advice and miss Cheltenham as it is only weeks away.

“To ride horses of the calibre of Envoi Allen you have to be 100% fit and I would be doing the team a disservice to ride when I’m not ready.

“Obviously, it is hugely disappointing, but it is important to make the call early. I will continue to work hard on my recovery and look forward to getting back in the saddle the following month.”

Though Cheltenham was a huge incentive for Russell, Tiger Roll’s potential bid for a third Randox Grand National at Aintree in April could now be a target for the jockey, given he rode the horse to his previous two successes in the race.

[dennisg]

Trainer Charles Byrnes has been unsuccessful in his appeal against the decision of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board’s Referrals Committee to suspend his licence for six months and fine him €1,000.

Byrnes was handed the penalties after one of his horses tested positive for a prohibited substance after being pulled up at Tramore on October 18, 2018.

The urine sample of Viking Hoard was found to contain hydroxyethylpromazinehydroxide (HEPS), a metabolite of acepromazine (ACP), which is a sedative and forbidden under the rules of racing.

The IHRB committee had ruled that although it was not alleged Byrnes was directly involved in either the administration of ACP or the betting patterns surrounding the horse, “the evidence showed that Viking Hoard was subject to a dangerous degree of sedation during the race”, and came to the conclusion the horse had been “nobbled” by an unidentified third party when left unaccompanied.

The IHRB added at the time that Byrnes had signalled his intention to appeal -and the Limerick trainer has been able to continue having runners in the interim – sending out Off You Go to win at the Dublin Racing Festival.

That appeal was heard last week, and a verdict supporting the original decision was published on Thursday.

In its findings the appeals body said submissions referenced “Mr Byrnes’ personal and financial circumstances and his success as an experienced and capable trainer for 26 years”, and that the loss of his licence “would be ruinous for him” and that his employees would have to be let go and horses currently under his charge would have to be sent elsewhere.

But it added that “the focus of the Appeals Body’s deliberations must be on the blameworthiness of Mr Byrnes’ conduct. In the judgement of the Appeals Body, Mr Byrnes failure to ensure any attendance on Viking Hoard at Tramore Racecourse stables for two significant periods prior to the race on October 18 was, in the language of the Referrals Body, ‘seriously negligent’.”

It added: “Whilst the Appeals Body accepts that there is no evidence that he (Byrnes) was aware of the extraordinary and suspicious betting activity on Viking Hoard, it simply cannot ignore the very serious consequences which flowed from his misconduct and dereliction of duty.”

The appeals body said the penalties were to take effect 14 days from the publication of the verdict.

Byrnes was also ordered to pay costs, estimated at €2,000.

[dennisg]

Nick Gifford is considering giving Belargus a spin over the famous Grand National fences after hinting the Randox Topham Handicap Chase could be a potential target following his first victory over fences at Sandown Park this afternoon.

The 2m5f Grade Three prize at Aintree on April 9th is one of a number of options the Findon handler is weighing up for the JP McManus-owned six year old who made it eighth time lucky over larger obstacles in the Elmbridge Handicap Chase under conditional Niall Houlihan.

Taking matters up late on in the two-mile contest, the 5-1 shot quickly put distance between himself and his rivals after the last before defeating Grey Diamond by nine lengths.

Gifford said: “We’ve always loved this horse and he has been frustrating a few times. I think today was probably the first time he has got his jumping together.

“I think two miles is fine on this ground but I think on better ground you will be going up in trip. If he didn’t quite get in (at the Cheltenham Festival) it wouldn’t be the be all and end all. There are plenty of other nice races further down the line for this horse if he keeps improving.

“He will have entries at Cheltenham and if he didn’t get in there is also the Silver Bowl at Kempton (the consolation race for horse’s that fail to get a run in a handicap chase at The Festival due to being balloted out) - that’s an option. To run in the Topham, he would have to go up again but if he missed Cheltenham it’s an option and that might just be a lovely race for him. He is going to need to be high 130s to get in that.

“The race I’d love to win with him is back here last day of the season (Josh Gifford Novices’ Handicap Chase). I’ve been second in it and it’s a valuable race. The options are limitless.”

Fergus Gillard made his 100th ride this season a winning one aboard the David Pipe trained Eamon An Cnoic, who ended his near two year spell in the doldrums when claiming the Greenwich Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle by 20 lengths.

Gillard, celebrating a first winner at the track, said: “My horse travelled really well similar to Chepstow last time out. At the end he got a bit tired but at the same time he won nicely.

“It’s great to get his head in front today for all the connections as it has been a while since he has been in the winner’s enclosure.”

Fuller would do Anythingforlove - and she did do that!
Anythingforlove wins under Page Fuller
Anythingforlove wins under Page Fuller
Page Fuller screamed for joy after celebrating the biggest win of her career aboard Anythingforlove in the Jane Seymour Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle.

Having come unstuck in her hat-trick bid upped to Grade Two company in the Rossington Main Novices’ Hurdle Haydock Park last month, the Jamie Snowden-trained six year old bounced back to form at the same level.

Victory on her first try over two and a half miles could now prompt an appearance at The Festival™ supporting WellChild at Cheltenham next month.

Despite being faced with a host of challengers on the approach to the last Anythingforlove, an 18/1 chance who is a half-sister to 2017 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Sizing John, battled on in tenacious fashion to hold off the hat-trick seeking Sandymount Rose by two and three quarter lengths.

Fuller, who rode out her claim back in October, said: “It meant a lot. It was my first winner at this level. She is a lovely mare and it’s great for a syndicate like Foxtrot Racing to have a horse like her.

“She is a half-sister to Sizing John so we knew she would stay all day and we knew she had every chance here. I was delighted when Gavin (Sheehan) had to go to Fontwell. He asked me at home schooling this morning ‘I bet you are glad Fontwell is on’, and I was like ‘yeah you’re right I am!’, so everything has worked in our favour. She is a lovely mare.

“It was really hard work and I just had to assume today that we were going to stay. I’ve hit the front coming in to two out and I knew I’d hit the front a bit sooner than I had liked, but at the same time in all her races she has won she has looked like she will get swallowed up, two, three furlongs from home but and then just kept motoring, and she heard the other horses coming and just kept picking up all the way to the line.”

Although Anythingforlove had to prove her stamina for the trip, winning handler Snowden was confident that the extra distance would not be an issue for the progressive mare.

He said: “She won a couple of bumpers last season and won twice this season but the step up in trip was going to suit.

“She found two miles in the Rossington Main too sharp for her and we rode her to get some black type that day and we probably rode her wrong over the trip.

“We came here to nick a bit of third and it is always nice to come away with the win. She is hardy, gusty, but she is not very quick but she has got a huge amount of stamina.”

Anythingforlove holds entries in both the Grade One Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle and Grade Two Dawn Run Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at The Festival, but the Lambourn trainer will let the dust settle before firming up future plans.

He added: “She certainly won’t be in the two mile novice but Cheltenham is a completely different kettle of fish. We will enjoy today and work out where we go after this. This was always the plan and we will enjoy it and see where we go from there.”

Surf's up for Lavelle
Emma Lavelle predicts bright futures for both Red Rookie and Eclair Surf after securing the Cheltenham Festival-winning trainer and jockey Tom Bellamy a Sandown Park double.

Red Rookie (5/2) got the ball rolling for the pair when taking a big step forward to open his account for the season in Telegraph Hill “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle.

Having claimed a brace of bumper wins on heavy ground last season the six year old made light work of testing conditions to better his debut fifth over hurdles at Lingfield when prevailing by a length and three quarters in the two mile contest.

She said: “We love this horse and we loved him from winning two bumpers. I took the rugs off him at Lingfield and he looked fat. I was so mortified, as I hate seeing horses get beaten because I’ve messed it up by not having them straight enough.

“He came there at two out that day and then he slightly ballooned it and it was game over. He was really poorly afterwards. We just took a long time to get him back. I’d say he is a fair horse.

“I’ve got no fancy targets for him this time around. He is a next season horse jumping fences. It’s about getting a bit more experience and seeing where we go and then next season will be the real start of things for him.”

Targets like the Welsh Grand National at Chepstow will come into consideration for Eclair Surf (5/2 Fav) next season, who completed Lavelle and Bellamy’s double with a game three-length success on his first start over three miles under rules in the Littleworth Handicap Chase.

Lavelle said: “He is still just learning but it was lovely to see him finish the race out over three miles. He is big and raw and still a bit novice with his fences but he was very good at some of them. He (Tom Bellamy) gave him some ride. “He put his head down really well as he had struggled to finish his races last season. That (Welsh National) is the sort of races we will be looking at. Today was about seeing whether he could stay and he certainly done that. We have just a bit of work to do with his jumping.

“I have to thank the husband (Barry Fenton) as he rides them both out every day. They are like his boys and he loves them both.”

[dennisg]

Our top gossip column returns and expects Mister Coffey to enhance Nicky Henderson's fine record in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury on Sunday.

2.25 Ascot - Newtide
6
Horse silk
Newtidet91
Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: David Bass| T: K C Bailey| OR: 141| D
9/2
Form: 41/116-3
Live betting powered by
Kim Bailey has his team in great form at present and he can strike with Newtide in the My Oddsboost On Betfair Swinley Limited Handicap Chase at Ascot on Saturday.

Not too far off the best staying novices last season, he may have been a fortuitous winner of the Grade 2 Towton Chase on the second of his two victories during the light campaign, but there was no fluke in his defeat of Secret Reprieve on his chasing bow at Ffos Las.

That rival has been one of the great success stories this term with an emphatic win in the Coral Welsh National at Chepstow last month. New Tide has been somewhat becalmed since his win in Yorkshire and has seen action just once this term, a slightly disappointing effort at Haydock in November. However he has since undergone corrective surgery on a breathing complaint and the fact he arrives here a fresh horse may now be an advantage.

4.10 Ascot - Revels Hill
11
Horse silk
Revels Hill28
Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: H Fry| OR: 118| D
15/2
Form: U1-604
Live betting powered by
Revels Hill looks nicely weighted in the Ascot Racecourse Supports Berkshire Vision Handicap Hurdle. There were some long faces after this Harry Fry-trained six-year-old followed a respectable comeback effort with a disappointing performance at Chepstow on his second outing.

However that was all put firmly behind him when he bounced back with a very good fourth to Stellar Magic in a competitive novice at Taunton on his latest start. This more demanding test of stamina should provide no terrors for the former point-to-point winner and he looks nicely weighted for his handicap debut.

3.00 Ascot - L'Ami Serge
1
Horse silk
L'Ami Serge345
Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: D A Jacob| T: N J Henderson| OR: 150| C| D
20/1
Form: 817/27P-
Live betting powered by
L'Ami Serge may be getting a bit long in the tooth but he can still show the well fancied Gladiateur Allen and the rest a thing or two in the Betfair Cheltenham Free Bet Pot Builder Handicap Hurdle.

If it were not for the fact that he never likes to hit the front too soon, he would probably be a little more than a dual Grade 1 winner by now but he can still pack a punch and has a long history - he has never finished out of the first two for Seven Barrows on his seasonal debut - of being very effective after a break.

Two below-par efforts at Cheltenham after his excellent comeback second to The Worlds End in last season's Long Walk Hurdle, plus, perhaps, his advancing years, have seen him receive some sympathy from the handicapper and the likely testing ground coupled with his proven stamina, could see him reward a sporting each-way investment.

2.40 Haydock - Enqarde
9
Horse silk
Enqarde28
Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: Charlie Hammond(3)| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 132
4/1
Form: 76-21U1
Live betting powered by
The improving Enqarde can take advantage of his light weight in the William Hill Grand National Trial Handicap Chase at Haydock. Dr Richard Newland has found many a useful performer from the French jumping arena and looks to have unearthed a very promising young stayer in this son of Kapgarde, who broke his duck over British fences with a comfortable win in a three mile handicap at Ascot last month.

This will be a much more difficult task, especially with the progressive Notachance among a strong field of experienced handicappers, but he gave every impression he would stay this more exacting trip and will have no problem handling the very soft ground.

1.30 Haydock - Farinet
7
Horse silk
Farinet221
Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 125
13/2
Form: 4/3P4-32
Live betting powered by
Venetia Williams is even more renowned for her purchases from across the Channel and Farinet could be worth an each-way interest on his British debut in the williamhill.com Best Odds Guaranteed Novices' Limited Handicap Chase.

The winner of a juvenile hurdle at Auteuil, he has not managed to get his head in front so far over fences but has run some good races in defeat and looks to have been given a chance by the British assessor.

2.05 Haydock - Emitom
1
Horse silk
Emitom125
Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: G Sheehan| T: W Greatrex| OR: 154| BF| CD
7/2
Form: 2/614-23
Live betting powered by
Emitom is another on the comeback trail after a wind problem and can book his Cheltenham Festival trip with a repeat victory in the Grade 2 William Hill Rendlesham Hurdle. This looks a tougher renewal for the seven-year-old as he has been on the sidelines since a very disappointing effort over fences at Ffos Las in the autumn. However Warren Greatrex is confident he has him back in very good form and he has been working with his old zest on the Lambourn Downs recently.

3.35 Newbury Sunday - Mister Coffey
12
Horse silk
Mister Coffeyh78
Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Nico de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 138| BF| CD
10/1
Form: 1/12-13
Live betting powered by
Nicky Henderson has enjoyed more success in the Betfair Handicap Hurdle than any other trainer and looks set to extend his winning record to six with Mister Coffey at Newbury on Sunday.

The champion trainer has had this race in mind for a very long time for the selection who has a touch of class but can be too keen for his own good. A smart novice last season and an impressive winner on his handicap debut at Sandown in November, he found little after a mistake two out on his return to the Esher course the following month, proving a shade disappointing in finishing third to Benson.

That performance suggests he has plenty to prove but he was asked to come from well off the pace in desperate ground that day and the competitive nature of this event should help him to settle better. He has been in very good form at home and looks the pick of three Seven Barrows hopefuls. Mention should also be made of bang-in-form Chris Gordon's pair of Annual Invictus and Highway One Or Two, who should both run well at each-way prices.

4.45 Newbury Sunday - Horn Cape
11
Horse silk
Horn Cape221
Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: Nico de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: -
SP
Form: 61
Live betting powered by
Horn Cape, a winner at Argentan before joining Henderson, has been working particularly well in the build up to his eagerly awaited British debut and should give some quality opponents plenty to think about in the Read Tony Calvin's Tips On Betting.Betfair National Hunt Flat Race.

1.15 Newbury Sunday - Nobby
8
Horse silk
Nobby702
Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: -| D
SP
Form: 12112/
Live betting powered by
Nobby showed plenty in classy bumpers a couple of years back and has always been held in high regard by Alan King. He makes his debut over timber in the Betfair Novices Hurdle and could well run well at a fancy price, despite his long injury lay-off. Whatever happens here, he is one to note for the future.

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[dennisg]

Demachine, the Sporting Life Nap of the day, is among today's market movers with Paddy Power. Check out the full list.

Paddy Power
Ascot

150 Demachine 11-4 fav from 7-2

3pm Gladiateur Allen 4 fav from 5

335 Dashel Drasher 5 from 11-2

Haydock

205 Third Wind 9-2 from 13-2

240 Achille 7 from 10

Wincanton

318 Song For Someone Evens fav from 5

[dennisg]

Betfair ambassador Paul Nicholls has another strong Saturday team, check out his thoughts on the runners right here.

For more exclusive Paul Nicholls content visit betting.betfair.com/horse-racing/paul-nicholls/
Best chance. Bob and Co. 5.00 Haydock. He is giving us the right signals on his return to action after a wind op.
Ascot
14:25 - Kapcorse

He was off for a long time before an encouraging run at Newbury in November when he briefly looked like getting involved until tiring in the closing stages. While he has had a few issues he does have a nice light racing weight and seems to be just coming to himself. I just hope he handles the ground which looks as though it could be really testing.

15:00 - Malaya

She is a hold up horse who has been finding life tough in handicaps this season since chasing home Kid Commando at this track late in October. But she ran well last time over the minimum trip at Kempton and definitely wants this step up to two and a half miles now. With course, trip and ground in her favour Malaya has a nice each way chance.

15:35 - Cyrname

I run two in this and Harry Cobden has chosen to ride Cyrname who looked so good at Wetherby in the Charlie Hall Chase before running way below expectations in the King George V1 Chase on Boxing Day. He was half asleep at the start that day and was never really travelling in behind horses. Harry felt Cyrname was sulking at Kempton so we are trying cheekpieces to sharpen him up. When we tried them on him at home a week ago they had a positive effect and certainly woke him up. If they work as well at Ascot then he has to have a big chance over a trip and track that play to his strengths.

15:35 - Master Tommytucker

I’ve always rated him highly and he has earned a shot at this Grade 1 level after some impressive performances this season. He is in serious order at home, working great, looks amazing and everything is in place for a big run. While his jumping in the past was an issue it was very good at Haydock and Cheltenham earlier in the season and he was foot perfect at Kempton last time bar one blemish at the last fence.

Build Your Free Pot For Cheltenham offer
Build Your Free Pot For Cheltenham offer
Haydock
15:14 - Monmiral

He is a gorgeous recruit from France who has made a stylish winning debut for us at Exeter before again impressing in a Grade 2 novice hurdle at Doncaster. This race has always been been the plan for Monmiral before he by- passes Cheltenham and heads to Aintree. It will be interesting to see how he gets on against Nassalem who is one of the best juveniles this season.

16:25 - Young Buck

He doubled his score for the season with a comfortable success from the front in heavy ground at Chepstow earlier this month. He won nicely despite idling in front that day in first time cheek pieces, continues to please at home, stays well, is now rated 133 and has solid claims in this more competitive Grade 2 novice hurdle. It will help if he gets a lead for longer at Haydock.

17:00 - Bob And Co

He was in top form in Hunter chases this time last year, winning twice ridden by his enthusiastic owner David Maxwell. The plan was to take him to Aintree for the Foxhunters until racing came to a halt. Bob and Co was struggling a little with his breathing last season so we sorted that out in the summer. He is in really good shape now and should take all the beating in this before heading to Cheltenham for the Hunter Chase for which he is already qualified.

Wincanton
13:05 -Pozo Emery

He is a lovely horse for the future and looked very good when winning for the first time at Chepstow over two and a half miles in December, jumping for fun and finding plenty when challenged late on. While he is dropping back in trip to two miles, the ground is bound to be testing which suits and he should go close again.

13:38 - Hell Red

He made quite an impact when winning on his debut for us at Chepstow in October but then choked at Cheltenham next time and had a full breathing operation a few days later. There is room for improvement from Hell Red who lacks experience and is entered at Cheltenham in both the Triumph Hurdle and the Boodles 4yo handicap. This race should tell us which way to go with him.

14:13 - Brelan d’As

He ran very well last time at Ludlow where he was second to Another Venture two months ago. He should appreciate dropping back to two and a half miles, loves deep winter ground and has plenty in his favour in this.

15:58 - Take Your Time

He’s a nice recruit from point-to-points, stays well and has been running consistently this winter, winning at Lingfield and finishing third to the smart novice Sizeable Sam on his most recent start at Wincanton in January. When Bryony Frost rode him Lingfield she timed her winning run to perfection. Good chance.

15:18 - Friend or Foe

He has progressed well this season but is paying the price now. He was racing off a mark of 128 when scoring impressively at this track in December and is now up to 146 which seems harsh. So he is a bit in nomansland until he goes chasing next season. Friend or Foe was entered in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury and while he has it all to do in this Grade 2 Hurdle, he deserving a crack at a decent prize and will love the ground.

16:33 - Fabulous Saga

He was running for the first time in over 1,000 days when pulling up at Cheltenham two months ago on his first start over fences. He needs to get some miles on the clock after such a long absence and will probably need this second outing to sharpen him up. He looks on a stiff enough mark at this stage of his career and could do with being dropped a few pounds.

16:33 - Shantou Flyer

He gave his owner rider David Maxwell a great spin when they finished third in last year’s Foxhunters at Cheltenham. With amateurs currently unable to ride in races we have switched Shantou Flyer to handicaps for the time being and he ran well for a long way at this track early this month. He tired late on that day and that run should have put him spot on for this with Angus Cheleda’s 7lbs claim a handy bonus.

For more exclusive Paul Nicholls content visit betting.betfair.com/horse-racing/paul-nicholls/

[dennisg]

Cyrname seeks to bounce back to his brilliant best as he bids for a second victory in the Betfair Ascot Chase.

Paul Nicholls’ nine-year-old became the highest-rated chaser in Britain thanks to his 17-length demolition in the Grade One contest in 2019, a position he consolidated when he got the better of Altior in a much-anticipated clash over the same course and distance early last season.

However, he subsequently failed to fire when hot favourite for the King George VI Chase at Kempton, and was already on the retreat when suffering a heavy fall at the final fence in defence of his Ascot Chase crown 12 months ago.

Cyrname returned with victory this season on his Charlie Hall Chase comeback at Wetherby in October – but having disappointed once more in the King George when pulled up on his latest appearance, he again has a point to prove on Saturday.

Build Your Free Pot For Cheltenham offer
Build Your Free Pot For Cheltenham offer
Nicholls told Betfair: “Harry Cobden has chosen to ride Cyrname, who looked so good at Wetherby in the Charlie Hall Chase before running way below expectations in the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day. He was half-asleep at the start that day and was never really travelling in behind horses.

“Harry felt Cyrname was sulking at Kempton, so we are trying cheekpieces to sharpen him up. When we tried them on him at home a week ago they had a positive effect and certainly woke him up. If they work as well at Ascot then he has to have a big chance over a trip and track that play to his strengths.”

Cobden is relishing the opportunity to get back on board Cyrname, whom he describes as “the horse of a lifetime”.

“When he won the race a couple of years ago, he was very, very good,” said the jockey. “It was the best performance of any horse I’ve ever ridden around a racecourse – the way he jumped and travelled and beat all those good horses like Politologue, Waiting Patiently and Fox Norton. It was phenomenal, (and) I suppose that’s where he got his rating of 176.

“He’s the horse of a lifetime. Not very many people, riders or trainers, have horses like that come along in their life.

“I’ve won various races with him ,and hopefully he hasn’t won his last one – I’m sure he’s got plenty more in the tank.”

Master Tommytucker routs his Haydock rivals
Master Tommytucker routs his Haydock rivals
Nicholls has an interesting second string to his bow in the form of Master Tommytucker, who will be ridden for the first time by Daryl Jacob.

The lightly-raced 10-year-old has not always convinced in the jumping department, but has got his act together this season to win three of his last four starts.

Nicholls added: “I’ve always rated him highly, and he has earned a shot at this Grade One level after some impressive performances this season. He is in serious order at home, working great, looks amazing – and everything is in place for a big run.

“While his jumping in the past was an issue, it was very good at Haydock and Cheltenham earlier in the season – and he was foot-perfect at Kempton last time, bar one blemish at the last fence.”

Dashel Drasher wins at Ascot
Dashel Drasher wins at Ascot
Jeremy Scott is looking forward to seeing how Dashel Drasher handles a step up in class.

The eight-year-old was a long way behind Master Tommytucker at Haydock in November, but has since registered back-to-back wins over this course and distance.

“I’m relishing running him, because he seems well and he’s on a roll at the moment,” said Scott. “His jumping is a lot better now, and he’s in rude health.

“First time out at Haydock, I think it was partly the ground and partly we rode him too conservatively – he’s proved the last twice that he suits being ridden positively. He was returning from an injury at Haydock, and we were a bit mindful of that.”

The Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Riders Onthe Storm ran out a wide-margin winner of last year’s renewal, but will defend his crown as an outsider after being well beaten in both his outings this season.

Twiston-Davies is undeterred, however. He said: “Riders Onthe Storm is coming into this in good nick. He obviously won the race last year, and we are hoping he can do it again.

“He hasn’t been at the same level this season, but he does seem in really good nick at the moment and should improve on what he has done. He won’t mind any more rain, because it was pretty testing last year.”

Bennys King from Dan Skelton’s yard, runner-up to Dashel Drasher last time, completes the line-up.

[dennisg]

Jonjo O’Neill illustrated his knack for laying out a horse for a big handicap when Soaring Glory swooped to conquer in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury.

Under the trainer’s son Jonjo Jr, the 17/2 shot looked to be travelling by far the best approaching the final flight and when given the signal, he accelerated away on the run to the line.

Soaring Glory pulled three lengths clear of Fifty Ball, with Edwardstone a length and a half back in third and Annual Invictus fourth.

Buzz in fifth was the best of Nicky Henderson’s three runners as Mister Coffey ruined his chance by hanging in the closing stages, while 11/2 favourite Cadzand failed to menace.

O’Neill admitted he thought he had a good horse on his hands when Soaring Glory won at Chepstow on his seasonal bow.

The Jackdaws Castle handler said: “After Chepstow, he fell when going too easily in a bad race at Wetherby. He was not a natural jumper and Yogi Breisner did a lot of work on him.

“It’s great to win a race like this and we thought ‘let’s have a go’ as novices often do well in it.”

O’Neill will almost certainly look at the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, for which Paddy Power cut Soaring Glory to 10/1 from 25s.

He added: “He’s entitled to run in it and Jonjo is riding with loads of confidence. He’s super cool and he does the job right.”

[dennisg]

Dual Grand National hero Tiger Roll remains on course for the Cheltenham Festival despite finishing a tailed-off last of six runners behind Beacon Edge in the Ladbrokes Boyne Hurdle at Navan.

A surprise winner of this Grade Two contest two years ago before going on to seal his second success at Aintree a couple of months later, Tiger Roll returned to Navan on a recovery mission following a disappointing start to his season around Cheltenham’s cross-country course.

However, while the 11-year-old travelled strongly for much of the two-mile-five-furlong journey under Keith Donoghue, he weakened out of contention early in the home straight and finished some 48 lengths behind the fifth placed Decor Irlandais.

Trainer Gordon Elliott was not too disappointed as he felt conditions were against his runner, who is now set to head for the Glenfarclas Chase at the Festival next month.

Elliott said: “Keith said he travelled well to the third last, in horrible ground, and just got tired.

“It’s still all systems go for Cheltenham. Keith said he was happy with him, but he just got tired in the ground. He’ll be OK.

“Of course you want him to run better, but he hated that ground.”


At the business end of proceedings, it was the other two Gigginstown House Stud-owned runners who fought out the finish.

Tiger Roll’s stablemate Fury Road was the 11-8 favourite in the hands of Jack Kennedy and cut out much of the running before being joined by the Noel Meade-trained Beacon Edge (15-8) and Sean Flanagan after the final obstacle.

No quarter was given by either horse or jockey after the final flight, but it was Beacon Edge who pushed ahead where it mattered to prevail by a neck.

Meade said of the winner: “He had a colic at Christmas and he spent nearly a week in Kildare. Even though we thought he was at the time, he just wasn’t himself on his last run at Naas.

“He’s a fair horse. I wondered about him getting the trip, but he stays.

“Michael (O’Leary, owner) had it in his head that he’d go to Liverpool (Aintree) for the two-and-a-half-mile race (Aintree Hurdle), but he is in the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham. We have Diol Ker for that as well and we’ll see what turns up in it.”

[dennisg]

Sceau Royal ran out a deserved winner of the Betfair Game Spirit Chase at Newbury on Sunday while Champ ran a huge race in second.

It was a tough day for owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede on Saturday as they lost stalwart L'Ami Serge, so Sceau Royal getting his head back in front proved a poignant success.

With the ground riding good to soft conditions were in his favour and he didn't put a foot wrong, jumping and travelling well under Daryl Jacob throughout.

It was left to the WellChild Cheltenham Gold Cup hopeful Champ to give him most to do, Nicky Henderson's horse running a great race from the front on his comeback run over an inadequate trip.


“He’s enjoyed himself there and he’s clearly not slow,” said a delighted Henderson.

“The great thing was his jumping – it was deadly – and that will have done him the world of good.

“We boxed him over to Henrietta Knight’s the other day and he’s gone three times either way in the loose school. That (his jumping) needed ironing out and it clearly worked.

“He’s an exciting horse and much better on a racecourse than at home. You wouldn’t give two and sixpence for him on the grass gallop, but when he gets to the racecourse it’s like flicking a switch and he’s on the case full wallop!

“He’s got so much natural pace and he’s versatile. It was better to give him a kinder race today than go three miles, but on the evidence of the RSA last year, we know he stays.”

Sky Bet reacted by cutting Champ to 6/1 from 10s for the Gold Cup and an impressed Michael Shinners said:

"The Game Spirit turned into a cracking race with Sceau Royal out speeding Champ. Both horses ran fantastic races with Sceau Royal 20/1 from 33/1 for the Queen Mother and Champ 6/1 from 10/1 for the Wellchild Gold Cup."

Henderson added: “He was on the bridle until the second-last and now we have two days short of a month until the Gold Cup.

“We are now very much looking forward to Cheltenham with him.”

King was understandably proud of the admirable Sceau Royal, who was winning for the third time this season, having previously landed the Welsh Champion Hurdle at Ffos Las and the Elite Hurdle at Wincanton.

The nine-year-old, who fell on his most recent outing in the Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton, is entered in both the Queen Mother Champion Chase and the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham next month, but is not certain to line up in either.

King said: “He’s a wonderful little horse and it’s great for the owners, as they had a bad day yesterday, losing poor old L’Ami Serge.

“I’m not sure what happened to him at Kempton last time – it was so out of character for him to end up on the floor. He jumped absolutely super today, didn’t he?

“Whether he goes to Cheltenham will be very much ground dependent. If it’s soft ground we’ll wait – there’s the two-and-a-half-mile race at Aintree (Melling Chase) and the Celebration Chase at Sandown, so we’ll see.

“I’m not saying he won’t go to Cheltenham, but we would need it to dry out quite considerably, which can happen.

“We’ll enjoy today.”

[dennisg]

Thyestes Chase hero Coko Beach followed up in the Ladbrokes Watch Racing Online For Free Ten Up Novice Chase at Navan.

Three and a half weeks on from his lucrative handicap success at Gowran Park, Gordon Elliott’s grey was the 5-4 favourite at Grade Two level in the hands of Jack Kennedy.

It was not entirely straightforward for the market leader though, with Espanito Bello looking a major threat halfway up the home straight.

However, just when he appeared to be getting the better of the argument, Espanito Bello stumbled on landing after jumping the final fence – handing the initiative back to Coko Beach, who went on to score by four lengths.

“Jack said he’s better in a big field, with horses around him, where something can keep him travelling,” said Elliott.

“I was standing out on the track and I wasn’t sure whether he would have won or not. Jack said he thought he would have.

“He said he needed the jump to win it and he got it.”

Coko Beach holds several entries at next month’s Cheltenham Festival, but Elliott added: “I’d imagine we’ll keep him at home and he might go for the Irish Grand National.”


Ride of the century
Hugh Morgan produced one of the most sensational riding performances of the season to steer the Denis Hogan-trained Young Dev to victory in the Racing Again March 6th Handicap Chase.

The 17-2 chance appeared to have lost all chance after jumping the very first fence, with a tack problem leaving the conditional jockey to ride the remainder of the three-mile journey without irons.

Just to successfully complete the course would have been a tremendous feat, but miraculously, Morgan managed to get his mount into contention and drove him out on the run-in to secure the most remarkable of wins by three-quarters of a length from Se Mo Laoch.

Explaining what had happened, Morgan said: “My right stirrup broke after the first and I kicked it out. I’m grand at the minute, but I’d say I’ll be sore in the morning!

“The horse had run plenty of times, so I said I might as well keep going. It took a bit of getting used to going down to the fences without them (irons) and I just left him to sort himself out and gave him a squeeze.

“It was great – it was something new anyway! It’s my first ride for Denis, so it’s very important to get a win.”

Double Assault
Elliott and Kennedy doubled up for the day with Frontal Assault (4-1) in the Grade Three Surehaul Mercedes-Benz Novice Hurdle – a late addition to the meeting after being saved and rescheduled following the abandonment of racing at Clonmel on Thursday.

Elliott said: “He was way too keen with the blinkers in Leopardstown. He’ll be a grand, big staying chaser. He really stayed well there.

“He’ll get an entry in the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham and we’ll see what happens. The likes of Punchestown might not be ideal for him if the ground gets too quick.”

The Cullentra handler went on to complete a four-timer, with Fierami springing a 25-1 surprise in the Ladbrokes Committed To Safer Gambling Handicap Hurdle under Jordan Gainford, and 470,000 euros purchase Ginto and Jamie Codd justifying 5-6 favouritism in the bumper.

Atlantic Fairy secured Listed honours for Henry de Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore in the Apple’s Jade Mares Novice Hurdle – getting the better of fellow 11-4 joint-favourite Global Equity by a length and three-quarters.

“I’m delighted with that and she’s a lovely mare,” said de Bromhead.

“She got hurt last year and we had to leave her off, but she’s come back really well and is doing it all well. I think she’ll improve for the run as she hasn’t run since Christmas.

“She’s entered at Cheltenham, but we’ll see as there is also the mares’ novice hurdle at Fairyhouse, which is only a couple of weeks after. That might be the more sensible route for her.”

[dennisg]

Caroline Bailey is hoping the ground dries out so Crosspark can try to win the Vertem Eider Handicap Chase for a second time at Newcastle.

The 11-year-old, who took this marathon contest in 2019, heads the weights for Saturday’s marathon after 16 horses stood their ground at the confirmation stage.

The plan is head to the north east as long as conditions are not too testing. The ground on Monday was described as soft, heavy in places, but the forecast is for dry weather from the middle of the week.

Bailey does not want Crosspark to carry 11st 12lb on unsuitable ground.

“He’s fit and ready to go if the ground is not too heavy,” said the Northampton trainer. “With top weight, it would be too much. The forecast after tomorrow looks better, so we’ve got to be hopeful.

“He’s not a very big horse and he wouldn’t want to carry that weight in heavy ground – but if it dries out to soft, good to soft then we’ll certainly consider it.

“It was good to soft when he won it two years ago, but he was carrying a lot less and rated 15lb lower than he is now.”

Among the potential opposition is the Brian Ellison-trained Sam’s Adventure, winner of the Tommy Whittle Chase at Haydock.

Lucinda Russell may be two-handed with Big River and Haul Us In, while Tom George has both Springfield Fox and Boyhood in the reckoning.

Others in the mix include The Dutchman, Cyclop, Classic Ben and David Pipe’s Little Red Lion, winner of three of his last four starts.

[dennisg]

Officials at York racecourse welcomed the news they could be able to admit a full crowd to the Ebor Festival in August.

While the Knavesmire venue narrowly misses out on the possibility of a limited crowd at the Dante meeting which finishes on May 14 – three days before the Government could revise restrictions on spectators at English sports venues – they are instead focusing on the positives.

With Prime Minister Boris Johnson announcing his route out of the pandemic, pilot events trialling “enhanced testing approaches and other measures” will be held before a potential lifting of all restrictions on sports and entertainment events from June 21 at the earliest.

The Government’s road map sets out the lifting of lockdown restrictions in four steps. At each one, the success of the vaccine rollout, vaccine efficacy, the presence of variants and infection rates will be measured before deciding whether to take the next step. There will be a minimum five-week gap between each step.

James Brennan, York’s head of marketing and sponsorship, said: “You could look at it that we’ve just missed the cut-off for the Dante meeting and Chester have missed it for their May meeting, but you could go on and on.

“I suppose the silver lining is we now feel as an organisation we’ve got a positive direction to travel. The Ebor is always our centrepiece and it’s later in the road map as it’s later in the year.

“I think there will be some more clarification around larger venues and as long as everything goes smoothly between now and then, and as long as there are no mutant strains, we can aim at something.

“There may be a few more bumps on the rollercoaster, but we can perhaps look forward to the Ebor meeting with a little more conviction.”

Brennan believes the space between the possible resumption of full sporting crowds and the beginning of the Ebor Festival could be an advantage.

He added: “It seems like there’s a nice period of time between the June 21 date and August 18 for people to have learned a few things, and we’ve got a date in July to help us decide how it will all operate by then.

“At the moment, as the Ebor meeting is later in the road map and that is our centrepiece meeting, we can feel fortunate about that. Whatever event you are running, there will always be someone on the wrong side of the deadline, as we found out today.”

Goodwood are looking forward to potentially welcoming a small crowd back for their two-day meeting on May 21 and 22.

They are also hoping to be back to full capacity for the five-day Glorious Goodwood Festival, which runs from July 27-31.

Adam Waterworth, managing director at Goodwood, said: “It’s still a case of digesting what the Prime Minister said – but it sounds like great news.

“From our point of view, as important or more important, is the idea that hopefully from June 21 the idea is of a full return to normality, with all restrictions gone.

“I’ve listened to the statement and I’ve read the response, but I’ve not had chance to study it in any detail yet – but at face value if that means we’re back to full crowds by the end of June, then for the big meeting at Goodwood, that’s fantastic for Glorious.”

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Willie Mullins admits it would be huge achievement if Chacun Pour Soi could complete his clean sweep of victories in the five championship races at Cheltenham by striking gold in the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase.

Having saddled winners in the Unibet Champion Hurdle, Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle, Ryanair Chase and WellChild Cheltenham Gold Cup, the prestigious two-mile Grade One is the only major race missing from the illustrious CV of the most successful trainer in Festival history. The closest Mullins has come to success is second place with Un de Sceaux (2016) and Min (2018).

However, the Closutton handler appears to have outstanding claims of setting the record straight this year with the lightly raced nine year old, who was forced to miss the race 12 months ago after suffering a late setback.

The Susannah Ricci-owned gelding is unbeaten in three starts this season, with his latest two victories coming at Grade One level at Leopardstown in the Paddy Power Rewards Club Chase in December and this month’s Ladbrokes Dublin Chase.

Mullins said: “It would be huge for the stable and everyone here to get that (Champion Chase) win and have all the Championship races at the Cheltenham Festival.

“When we started off we just wanted a runner and then a winner, not dreaming we could be in the position we’re in today, but it’s something we’ve been lucky with and I’d love to do it.

“Hopefully he will give us a chance to try and put that away. He’s in great form since Leopardstown and does everything right at home, so fingers crossed.

“It hurts, but at Cheltenham, every 35 minutes it’s a new page and you don’t really get to think about it or for it to sink in and thankfully we had a good Cheltenham last year so it’s history.

“It’s different if you had one horse, you would probably wallow in it, but as I said to the lads ‘just put it behind us and get on to the next race’.

“He’s like that. Dermot rides him and there’s never anything wrong with him, until the morning of the race last year. He had his troubles early on in his career but now everything has settled down he just goes up the gallop every morning and does his work.

“We want to get there and see what he can do at Cheltenham can he be as good as Leopardstown. He is one of the ones if you had to pick the top five or six travelling over, you’d say he is one that you are really hoping can bring his ‘A’ game there.”

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The British Horseracing Authority has underlined its commitment to getting both owners and racegoers back on course after Prime Minister Boris Johnson outlined a possible mid-May date for the return of limited crowds to English sports venues.

Aside from a couple of trial events and a handful of fixtures before Christmas, racing has been staged behind closed doors since its return last June following the first national lockdown.

Owners were permitted to return in limited numbers in July and throughout the summer, but the third lockdown imposed on January 4 meant on-course attendance was again limited to essential personnel only.

The Prime Minister laid out his road map for the easing of coronavirus restrictions in the House of Commons on Monday afternoon, with a limited return of crowds put into step three of a phased recovery plan, with a date of no earlier than May 17.

Indoor events will be capped at 50 per cent capacity or 1,000, whichever is lower, and for outdoor events this will be 50 per cent capacity or 4,000, whichever is lower, with special provision for large, outdoor, seated venues where crowds can be safely distributed, allowing up to 10,000 people or 25 per cent of total seated capacity, whichever is lower.

Pilots will also run to examine how such events can take place without the need for social distancing, using other mitigations such as testing, the Government said and the BHA has indicated it will seek discussions regarding possible test events.

A statement read: “On behalf of British racing and all those who work in our industry, we very much welcome the government’s announcement today of a road map for the removal of the current Covid restrictions.

“The whole sport has worked hard to abide by our race-day protocols to allow racing to continue behind closed doors and support the many livelihoods that depend on our industry. British racing’s classification as an elite sport made this possible. But we do miss owners and we do miss spectators whose presence at meetings contributes so much to the thrill of our sport.

“We have already introduced additional measures to reduce the risks of transmission of the virus and have further options under consideration. We will now engage with government to highlight our ability to move beyond the current limitation on essential staff only as soon as that is possible and allow the return of owners.

“Racing continues to benefit from the incredible loyalty shown by owners. We will clarify as soon as possible when they can return to race-meetings, and when amateurs can resume riding.

“The government has also published details today on the potential timings for the return of spectators to elite sport. We have further discussions with officials scheduled which will enable us to draw up specific proposals for race meetings, including potential pilot events.

“We also expect to hear further details of the plans for Scotland and Wales which are not covered by today’s announcement.”

Non-essential retail will not reopen until April 12 at the earliest, meaning betting shops will remain closed for both the Cheltenham Festival and the Randox Grand National meeting at Aintree – two of the biggest betting events of the year.

The BHA statement added: “Whilst the publication of dates is a very positive sign, the absence of spectators from our big events is continuing to put a strain on racing’s revenues. This has been exacerbated by the closure of betting shops. Our financial discussions with government are ongoing.”

The Government’s plan sets out the lifting of restrictions in four steps. At each one, the success of the vaccine rollout, vaccine efficacy, the presence of variants and infection rates will be measured before deciding whether to take the next step.

The Prime Minister announced there will be a minimum five-week gap between each step – and easing of restrictions will happen on a nationwide, rather than a regional, basis.

Pilot events for the return of spectators are expected to begin as part of the Government’s Event Research Programme from April.

These will use “enhanced testing approaches and other measures to run events with larger crowd sizes and reduced social distancing to evaluate the outcomes”.

Findings from pilots across the sport and cultural sectors will be brought together to develop a “consistent approach” to removing capacity limits as part of step four – which would start no earlier than June 21.

That date would fall two days after the end of Royal Ascot, but a limited attendance at Epsom for the Derby meeting, which begins on June 4, could be a possibility along with spectators at Goodwood’s May festival and the Temple Stakes fixture at Haydock on May 22.

The Racecourse Association were satisfied with the news and is eager for racegoers to be “amongst the first sports fans to safely return”.

A statement read: “The RCA welcomes the announcement made by the Prime Minister outlining the route map out of national lockdown and a timeline for the safe return of spectators to major outdoor events.

“We will continue to work closely with our member racecourses, Government and relevant health and safety authorities to ensure that racegoers are amongst the first sports fans to safely return and enjoy a day’s racing.”

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Entries have been released for the nine handicaps at the 2021 Cheltenham Festival and we have the full list of horses right here.

Trainer Olly Murphy has revealed that Thomas Darby is being aimed at the Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle, one of the nine handicaps at the Festival supporting WellChild, for which a total of 676 entries are listed below.

Thomas Darby went close to Festival glory in 2019 when runner-up in the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and after reverting to hurdling landed the Grade Three Holloway’s Hurdle at Ascot in January 2020 under top-weight. The eight-year-old posted a good effort on his most recent start when third in the rearranged Grade Two Dornan Engineering Relkeel Hurdle at Kempton Park on January 9.

Worcestershire-based Murphy, who is still seeking a first Festival winner, said: “The plan is to go for the Coral Cup with Thomas Darby unless the Stayers’ Hurdle really cuts up and a few things happen. He is in good order but we decided to bypass the Rendlesham at Haydock at the weekend. A strongly run 2m 5f will really suit him and that’s where he will go. He would be one of my main ones for the meeting.

“His owner, Grahame Whateley, is quite keen to run him in the Coral Cup as he has won the race before (with Diamond King, 2016). We were going to wait for Aintree but we’ve not got many horses for Cheltenham as we have a lot of young horses so we have decided to take Thomas Darby.

“He ran a good race stepped up to three miles in the Cleeve behind McFabulous and though this is slightly down in trip it should be fine for him as it will be run at a good pace."

Murphy went on to run through his other candidates for the handicaps at the Festival supporting WellChild.

Ultima Handicap Chase (Grade 3) Tuesday, March 16
Achille (FR) 11 Mrs Vida Bingham Venetia Williams

Admiral's Secret (GB) 10 The Whacko Partnership Victor Dartnall

Al Dancer (FR) 8 Walters Plant Hire Ltd Nigel Twiston-Davies

Almazhar Garde (FR) 6 Kate & Andrew Brooks Charlie Longsdon

Alnadam (FR) 8 Bryan Drew Dan Skelton

Aso (FR) 11 The Bellamy Partnership Venetia Williams

Aye Right (IRE) 8 Geoff and Elspeth Adam Harriet Graham

Beware The Bear (IRE) 11 Mr G. B. Barlow Nicky Henderson

Black Kalanisi (IRE) 8 The Harefield Racing Club Joseph Tuite

Cepage (FR) 9 The Bellamy Partnership Venetia Williams

Choungaya (FR) 8 Gigginstown House Stud Joseph Patrick O'Brien

Clondaw Castle (IRE) 9 J French, D McDermott, S Nelson, T Syder Tom George

Cloth Cap (IRE) 9 Mr Trevor Hemmings Jonjo O'Neill

Cloudy Glen (IRE) 8 Mr Trevor Hemmings Venetia Williams

Cobra de Mai (FR) 9 Mrs Susan Carsberg Caroline Bailey

Coko Beach (FR) 6 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott

Crievehill (IRE) 9 Highclere T'Bred Racing- Crievehill Nigel Twiston-Davies

Crosspark (GB) 11 Mrs Wendy Wesley Caroline Bailey

Delire d'Estruval (FR) 8 Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede Ben Pauling

Didero Vallis (FR) 8 Normans, Ramsay, Tufnell & Bishop Venetia Williams

Discordantly (IRE) 7 The Odd Fellows Partnership Mrs J. Harrington

Escaria Ten (FR) 7 McNeill Family Gordon Elliott

Fagan (GB) 11 Mr Ben Brackenbury Alex Hales

Farclas (FR) 7 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott

Fingerontheswitch (IRE) 11 Cahill, Atwell & Crofts Neil Mulholland

Full Back (FR) 6 Mr Ashley Head Gary Moore

Go Another One (IRE) 9 Ms Caroline Ahearn John McConnell

Goose Man (IRE) 9 Mrs Fitri Hay Tom J. Taaffe

Happygolucky (IRE) 7 Lady Dulverton Kim Bailey

Hogan's Height (IRE) 10 Foxtrot Racing: Hogan's Height Jamie Snowden

Hold The Note (IRE) 7 Mr T. P. Radford Mick Channon

Ibis du Rheu (FR) 10 Mr D. W. Fox Richard Hobson

Jerrysback (IRE) 9 Mr John P. McManus Philip Hobbs

Just Your Type (IRE) 9 Mr Tyrone Hanlon Charlie Longsdon

Kauto Riko (FR) 10 Mr and Mrs J.Dale and Partners Tom Gretton

Kiltealy Briggs (IRE) 7 McNeill Family Jamie Snowden

Lake View Lad (IRE) 11 Mr Trevor Hemmings N. W. Alexander

Lieutenant Rocco (IRE) 6 Sherborne Utilities Ltd Nick Mitchell

Milan Native (IRE) 8 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott

Minella Encore (IRE) 9 Foxtrot Racing Minella Encore Dr Richard Newland

Mr Muldoon (IRE) 8 Foxtrot Racing Mr Muldoon Dr Richard Newland

Musical Slave (IRE) 8 Mr John P. McManus Philip Hobbs

Nietzsche (GB) 8 D Gilbert, M Lawrence, A Bruce, G Wills Brian Ellison

Ok Corral (IRE) 11 Mr John P. McManus Nicky Henderson

One For The Team (GB) 7 Forty Winks Syndicate 2 & Partner Nick Williams

Paint The Dream (GB) 7 Mr David Brace Fergal O'Brien

Pinson du Rheu (FR) 10 Racehorse Ownership Club Alexandra Dunn

Pistol Whipped (IRE) 7 Mr A. Speelman & Mr M. Speelman Nicky Henderson

Plan of Attack (IRE) 8 Mr A. Halsall Henry de Bromhead

Pym (IRE) 8 Mrs Patricia Pugh Nicky Henderson

Red Infantry (IRE) 11 Mr Rob Little Ian Williams

Remastered (GB) 8 Brocade Racing David Pipe

Roaring Bull (IRE) 8 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott

Run Wild Fred (IRE) 7 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott

Sam Brown (GB) 9 Mr T. C. Frost Anthony Honeyball

Sizing At Midnight (IRE) 9 Ann & Alan Potts Limited Colin Tizzard

Slate House (IRE) 9 Eric Jones, Geoff Nicholas, John Romans Colin Tizzard

Snow Leopardess (GB) 9 Mr A. Fox-Pitt Charlie Longsdon

Soldier of Love (GB) 8 Mr Malcolm C. Denmark Paul Nicholls

Soupy Soups (IRE) 10 Equi ex Incertis Partners Neil Mulholland

Storm Control (IRE) 8 Mr Will Roseff Kerry Lee

Talkischeap (IRE) 9 Mr Charles Dingwall Alan King

The Butcher Said (IRE) 8 McNeill Family Olly Murphy

The Kings Writ (IRE) 10 Mr D Stevens & Mrs S Stevens Kayley Woollacott

The Wolf (FR) 7 McNeill Family and Prodec Networks Ltd Olly Murphy

Tout Est Permis (FR) 8 Gigginstown House Stud Noel Meade

Townshend (GER) 10 Mr J. D. Neild Nigel Twiston-Davies

Vintage Clouds (IRE) 11 Mr Trevor Hemmings Sue Smith

Vivas (FR) 10 Mr Nigel M. Davies Charlie Longsdon

Young Wolf (IRE) 8 Mrs Gay Smith Jonjo O'Neill

70 entries

Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) Tuesday March 16
Baladin de Mesc (FR) 4 Daniel Lassaussaye & Gabriel Leenders Gabriel Leenders

Balko Saint (FR) 4 Mrs Jane Williams Mrs Jane Williams

Burgundy Man (FR) 4 Miss V. M. Williams Venetia Williams

Busselton (FR) 4 Chanelle Phar. Ltd Joseph Patrick O'Brien

Cabot Cliffs (IRE) 4 Craig & Laura Buckingham Dan Skelton

Call Me Rocky (IRE) 4 Full of Hope Syndicate Denis G. Hogan

Can't Stop Now (IRE) 4 Let's Be Lucky Racing 30 Chris Gordon

Coltor (IRE) 4 M. Bucher D. K. Weld

Crassus (IRE) 4 Mr J. Hunt Noel Meade

Curious Bride (IRE) 4 Mrs J. A. Wakefield Noel Meade

Druid's Altar (IRE) 4 Annus Mirabilis Syndicate Joseph Patrick O'Brien

Elham Valley (FR) 4 Caveat Emptor Partnership Fergal O'Brien

Feldspar (GB) 4 Straightline Bloodstock Keith Dalgleish

Glorious Zoff (IRE) 4 Deva Racing Syndicate Gordon Elliott

Hell Red (FR) 4 Sir Martin Broughton & Friends 6 Paul Nicholls

Her Indoors (IRE) 4 McNeill Family & Niall Farrell Alan King

Historic Heart (IRE) 4 Atlantic Friends Racing Nigel Hawke

Homme Public (FR) 4 The Nevers Racing Partnership II Oliver Greenall

Honneur d'Ajonc (FR) 4 Valentine Bloodstock Racing Mrs Jane Williams

Houx Gris (FR) 4 M.Booth, R.Evans & Sullivan Bloodstock Paul Nicholls

Hudson de Grugy (FR) 4 Alan Jamieson Site Services Ltd Gary Moore

Jeff Kidder (IRE) 4 Albert Dravins/Eamonn Scanlon Noel Meade

Le Magnifique (GER) 4 Straightline Bloodstock Keith Dalgleish

Longclaw (USA) 4 N.H.J Racing Syndicate John McConnell

Marta des Mottes (FR) 4 Mr Simon Davies Tom Symonds

Mr Shady (IRE) 4 Enterprising Trio & Sara Moore J. S. Moore

Nassalam (FR) 4 Mr John Stone Gary Moore

Paros (FR) 4 Middleham Park Racing CXXV Nicky Henderson

Pyramid Place (IRE) 4 M. F. Harris Milton Harris

Quilixios (GB) 4 Cheveley Park Stud Gordon Elliott

Riviere d'Etel (FR) 4 Noel Moran/Mrs Valerie Moran Gordon Elliott

Sage Advice (IRE) 4 The Imperium Syndicate Dr Richard Newland

Saint Sam (FR) 4 Mr Edward J. Ware W. P. Mullins

Scholastic (IRE) 4 Annus Mirabilis Syndicate Joseph Patrick O'Brien

Sideshift (FR) 4 Mr T. O'Driscoll Gordon Elliott

Soldier On Parade (GB) 4 Hostages To Fortune Amy Murphy

Son of Red (IRE) 4 Ian Gosden and Richard House Alan King

Teahupoo (FR) 4 Robcour Gordon Elliott

The Worthy Brat (IRE) 4 Wayne Clifford & Ian Gosden Jeremy Scott

Tinnahalla (IRE) 4 Mrs J. A. Wakefield Olly Murphy

Youmdor (FR) 4 McNeill Family W. P. Mullins

Zanahiyr (IRE) 4 Noel Moran/Mrs Valerie Moran Gordon Elliott

Zanavi (IRE) 4 Katie & Brian Castle Partnership Denis G. Hogan

Zoffanien (IRE) 4 Mr L. Mulryan Denis G. Hogan

44 entries

Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle Race (Grade 3) Wednesday March 17
Adjali (GER) 6 Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede Nicky Henderson

Alfa Mix (GB) 6 Mr John P. McManus Gavin Cromwell

Allart (IRE) 7 Mr R. A. Bartlett Nicky Henderson

Amour de Nuit (IRE) 9 Mr Andrew Williams Paul Nicholls

And The New (IRE) 10 Mr Peter Randall Johnny Farrelly

Arrivederci (FR) 6 Martin Broughton & Friends 1 Jonjo O'Neill

Bachasson (FR) 10 E. O'Connell W. P. Mullins

Back On The Lash (GB) 7 Mr M. Boothright Martin Keighley

Ballybegg (IRE) 6 Glass Half Full Kerry Lee

Barnaviddaun (IRE) 8 Graham Clarkson & Andrew Smelt David Bridgwater

Bear Ghylls (IRE) 6 Bradley Partnership Nicky Martin

Birchdale (IRE) 7 Mr John P. McManus Nicky Henderson

Black Tears (GB) 7 Mrs C Walsh/Mr J Lightfoot Gordon Elliott

Blue Sari (FR) 6 Mr John P. McManus W. P. Mullins

Boreham Bill (IRE) 9 Mrs Susan Foran Emma Lavelle

Botox Has (FR) 5 Mr John Stone Gary Moore

Breffniboy (FR) 7 Mr F. A. Clegg Johnny Farrelly

Burbank (IRE) 9 Varlien Vyner-Brooks,Dave&Yvonne Simpson James Moffatt

Buzz (FR) 7 Thurloe for Royal Marsden Cancer Charity Nicky Henderson

Call Me Lord (FR) 8 Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede Nicky Henderson

Ciel De Neige (FR) 6 Mr John P. McManus W. P. Mullins

Clondaw Cian (IRE) 11 Mr G. Thompson Sophie Leech

Column of Fire (IRE) 7 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott

Commander of Fleet (IRE) 7 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott

Coole Cody (IRE) 10 Mr W. Clifford Evan Williams

Corrieben Reiver (GB) 7 John & Liz Elliot Alistair Whillans

Cracking Smart (FR) 9 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott

Craigneiche (IRE) 7 Mr Robert Kirkland Nicky Henderson

Dallas des Pictons (FR) 8 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott

Dalton Highway (IRE) 8 Dr R. Lambe/Dr J Climax D. K. Weld

Dans Le Vent (FR) 8 R J Gambarini Racing Evan Williams

Darasso (FR) 8 Mr John P. McManus Joseph Patrick O'Brien

Debestyman (IRE) 8 The Plumpton Party Suzy Smith

Does He Know (GB) 6 Yes He Does Syndicate Kim Bailey

Dream Berry (FR) 10 Mr John P. McManus Jonjo O'Neill

Dysart Diamond (IRE) 6 Ms Eleanor Manning W. P. Mullins

Ecco (GB) 6 Mr Colm Donlon Paul Nicholls

Eglantine du Seuil (FR) 7 The Unlikely Lads Paul Nicholls

Emir Sacree (FR) 7 Mr G. L. Porter Nicky Henderson

Encore Champs (IRE) 7 Bryan Drew Dan Skelton

Enemy Coast Ahead (GB) 7 McNeill Family Olly Murphy

Eskylane (IRE) 7 K Haughey/Laura Haughey/Kieran T Byrne Gordon Elliott

Fan de Blues (FR) 6 Mr Simon Munir/Mr Isaac Souede W. P. Mullins

Fifty Ball (FR) 6 Mr Steven Packham Gary Moore

Fire Attack (IRE) 6 Gigginstown House Stud Joseph Patrick O'Brien

Flic Ou Voyou (FR) 7 Mr Colm Donlon Paul Nicholls

Foveros (FR) 6 Luke McMahon/Francis Mangan W. P. Mullins

Front View (FR) 6 Mr John P. McManus Joseph Patrick O'Brien

Gabynako (FR) 6 Mick & Molly Syndicate Gavin Cromwell

Ganapathi (FR) 5 Mrs J. Donnelly W. P. Mullins

Garo de Juilley (FR) 9 Mr G. Thompson Sophie Leech

Go Another One (IRE) 9 Ms Caroline Ahearn John McConnell

Grand Roi (FR) 5 Noel Moran/Mrs Valerie Moran Gordon Elliott

Great White Shark (FR) 7 Mr Malcolm C. Denmark W. P. Mullins

Guard Your Dreams (GB) 5 Graham and Alison Jelley Nigel Twiston-Davies

Heaven Help Us (IRE) 7 Mr J. Turner P. Hennessy

Hunters Call (IRE) 11 Holloway,Clarke,Black Olly Murphy

Jacamar (GER) 6 Pegasus Bloodstock Limited Milton Harris

Janika (FR) 8 Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede Nicky Henderson

Jarveys Plate (IRE) 8 The Yes No Wait Sorries & Mr Chris Coley Fergal O'Brien

King Roland (IRE) 7 Masterson Holdings Limited Harry Fry

Koshari (FR) 9 Mrs S. Ricci W. P. Mullins

Lady Breffni (IRE) 7 Mr Mark Dobbin W. P. Mullins

Langer Dan (IRE) 5 Mr Colm Donlon Dan Skelton

Low Sun (GB) 8 Mrs S. Ricci W. P. Mullins

Lust For Glory (IRE) 8 Annabel Waley-Cohen and Family Nicky Henderson

Maze Runner (IRE) 6 Mrs J. M. Mullins W. P. Mullins

Mill Green (GB) 9 Mrs Rita Brown Nicky Henderson

Mint Condition (GB) 7 Whites Property Limited Jennie Candlish

Monte Cristo (FR) 5 Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede Nicky Henderson

My Sister Sarah (IRE) 7 Barnane Stud W. P. Mullins

Nelson River (GB) 6 CCCP Syndicate Tony Carroll

N'Golo (IRE) 6 Mrs S. Ricci W. P. Mullins

Our Power (IRE) 6 Walters Plant Hire & Potter Group Nigel Twiston-Davies

Paddys Motorbike (IRE) 9 Walters Plant Hire Ltd Egan Waste Ltd Sam Thomas

Palmers Hill (IRE) 8 Mr John P. McManus Jonjo O'Neill

Perfect Man (IRE) 10 Mr James Finch Sophie Leech

Pic D'orhy (FR) 6 Mrs Johnny de la Hey Paul Nicholls

Pipesmoker (FR) 6 Lady Dulverton Nicky Henderson

Power of Pause (IRE) 6 Miss M. A. Masterson W. P. Mullins

Red Gerry (IRE) 5 Red Gerry Syndicate Noel Meade

Saint Sonnet (FR) 6 Mr Colm Donlon Paul Nicholls

Sandymount Rose (IRE) 7 Proudley and Whymark Partnership Neil Mulholland

Sayo (GB) 7 Miss M. A. Masterson W. P. Mullins

Scarpeta (FR) 8 Thurloe Thoroughbreds Ireland Limited W. P. Mullins

Shakem Up'arry (IRE) 7 Mr Harry Redknapp Ben Pauling

Shang Tang (IRE) 7 T. Syder & N. Mustoe Emma Lavelle

Sneaky Getaway (IRE) 8 Mrs Margaret O'Rourke/E Hogan Emmet Mullins

Sometimes Always (IRE) 6 Mr S. J. Cox Ian Williams

Son of Camas (FR) 6 Sullivan Bloodstock Limited Nicky Henderson

Spiritofthegames (IRE) 9 Mr N. W. Lake Dan Skelton

Storm Goddess (IRE) 7 Don Sebastiao Partnership Charlie Longsdon

Stratum (GB) 8 Anthony Bloom W. P. Mullins

Switch Hitter (IRE) 6 Hills of Ledbury Ltd Paul Nicholls

Tea Clipper (IRE) 6 Mr Jerry Hinds & Mr Ashley Head Tom Lacey

Telmesomethinggirl (IRE) 6 Mr K. Alexander Henry de Bromhead

The Shunter (IRE) 8 Mr P. Byrne Emmet Mullins

Third Wind (GB) 7 Mouse Hamilton-Fairley Hughie Morrison

Thomas Darby (IRE) 8 Mrs Diana L. Whateley Olly Murphy

Tiger Tap Tap (GER) 6 Mrs S. Ricci W. P. Mullins

Tout Est Permis (FR) 8 Gigginstown House Stud Noel Meade

Up The Straight (IRE) 7 The Forever Partnership Richard Rowe

Uradel (GER) 10 Luke McMahon W. P. Mullins

Vive Le Roi (IRE) 10 Surefire Racing Tony Carroll

West Cork Wildway (IRE) 7 Fernhill Tower Syndicate Paul O'Flynn

Whatsupwithyou (IRE) 7 Co-Foundations Ltd Ben Pauling

Wide Receiver (IRE) 6 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott

Witness Protection (IRE) 8 Foxtrot Racing Martin Keighley

You Raised Me Up (IRE) 8 Chiat Kwong Ching/S. Mulryan Martin Brassil

109 entries

Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Chase (Grade 3) Wednesday March 17
A Wave of The Sea (IRE) 5 Mr John P. McManus Joseph Patrick O'Brien

Amoola Gold (GER) 8 Mr & Mrs Gordon Pink Dan Skelton

Ashutor (FR) 7 The Stewart Family Paul Nicholls

Ballywood (FR) 7 Highclere Thoroughbred Racing -Ballywood Alan King

Battleoverdoyen (IRE) 8 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott

Bun Doran (IRE) 10 Crossed Fingers Partnership Tom George

Capuccimix (FR) 8 Robcour Henry de Bromhead

Chosen Mate (IRE) 8 The Northern Four Racing Partnership Gordon Elliott

Diego du Charmil (FR) 9 Mrs Johnny de la Hey Paul Nicholls

Duc des Genievres (FR) 8 Sullivan Bloodstock Limited Paul Nicholls

Duca de Thaix (FR) 8 Tyrrells Racing Club Olly Murphy

Eamon An Cnoic (IRE) 10 The Angove Family David Pipe

Eclair de Beaufeu (FR) 7 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott

Eldorado Allen (FR) 7 J P Romans & Terry Warner Colin Tizzard

Embittered (IRE) 7 Gigginstown House Stud Joseph Patrick O'Brien

Entoucas (FR) 7 Mr John P. McManus Joseph Patrick O'Brien

Fanion d'Estruval (FR) 6 Mr David Wilson Venetia Williams

Farmix (FR) 6 M. L. Bloodstock Limited Miss Elizabeth Doyle

Funambule Sivola (FR) 6 My Racing Manager Friends Venetia Williams

Glen Forsa (IRE) 9 Mr T. P. Radford Mick Channon

Huntsman Son (IRE) 11 Mrs Wendy Wesley Alex Hales

Ibleo (FR) 8 The Bellamy Partnership Venetia Williams

Locker Room Talk (IRE) 8 The Vacuum Pouch Company Limited Stuart Coltherd

Magic Saint (FR) 7 Mr and Mrs J. D. Cotton Paul Nicholls

Marracudja (FR) 10 Foxtrot Racing Marracudja Dan Skelton

Mengli Khan (IRE) 8 Mr Michael Blencowe Nicky Henderson

Moonlighter (GB) 8 Huw & Richard Davies & Friends Racing Nick Williams

Not That Fuisse (FR) 8 Mr Colm Donlon Dan Skelton

On The Slopes (GB) 7 Skill Scaffolding Ltd Chris Gordon

Or Jaune de Somoza (FR) 9 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott

Paddy's Poem (GB) 10 Mrs T. Brown Nick Gifford

Pont Aven (IRE) 8 Roderick Ryan/Thomas B Breen/M D Minch W. P. Mullins

Sao (FR) 7 Gary Eves and Partner Rebecca Menzies

Sizing Pottsie (FR) 7 Ann & Alan Potts Limited Mrs J. Harrington

Sky Pirate (GB) 8 Mr M. Tedham Jonjo O'Neill

Sully D'oc AA (FR) 7 Mr John P. McManus Anthony Honeyball

Tamaroc Du Mathan (FR) 6 Mrs Johnny de la Hey Paul Nicholls

Thatsy (FR) 7 K Haughey/Laura Haughey/Kieran T Byrne Gordon Elliott

The Last Day (IRE) 9 Mr & Mrs William Rucker Evan Williams

The Shunter (IRE) 8 Mr P. Byrne Emmet Mullins

Theinval (FR) 11 Mr & Mrs Sandy Orr Nicky Henderson

Timoteo (FR) 8 Middleham Park Racing Ireland Gordon Elliott

Umbrigado (IRE) 7 John White & Anne Underhill David Pipe

Us And Them (IRE) 8 Burnham P & D Ltd Joseph Patrick O'Brien

Western Miller (IRE) 10 The Pantechnicons IV Charlie Longsdon

Whatswrongwithyou (IRE) 10 Turf Club 2020 Nicky Henderson

Zanza (IRE) 7 Louisville Syndicate Elite Philip Hobbs

47 entries

Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) Thursday March 18
Agrapart (FR) 10 Gascoigne, Brookes & Barker Mrs Jane Williams

Anything Will Do (IRE) 6 Annus Mirabilis Syndicate Joseph Patrick O'Brien

Ask Dillon (IRE) 8 4 The Fun Partnership Fergal O'Brien

Bois de Clamart (FR) 7 BD Partners Partnership Miss Elizabeth Doyle

Brinkley (FR) 6 Brocade Racing David Pipe

Bushypark (IRE) 7 Mr P. Kirby Philip Kirby

Champagne Platinum (IRE) 7 Mr John P. McManus Nicky Henderson

Come On Teddy (IRE) 7 Noel Fehily Racing Syndicates-Teddy Tom George

Copperhead (GB) 7 Mrs G. C. Pritchard Colin Tizzard

Dallas des Pictons (FR) 8 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott

Dalton Highway (IRE) 8 Dr R. Lambe/Dr J Climax D. K. Weld

Dandy Mag (FR) 8 Grant Mercer/Mrs Caren Walsh W. P. Mullins

Everglow (GB) 6 Mr Phil Munnelly Philip Hobbs

Farrants Way (IRE) 7 Mr Trevor Hemmings Venetia Williams

First Lord de Cuet (FR) 7 Potter, Pipe and Pete David Pipe

Flash de Touzaine (FR) 6 J Carthy/E Nolan/K. P. Ryan/Mrs A Doyle Miss Elizabeth Doyle

Flemcara (IRE) 9 Andy & The Frisky Fillies Emma Lavelle

Gabbys Cross (IRE) 6 Mr R. S. Brookhouse Henry de Bromhead

Getaround (IRE) 6 Mr Garry Wilson Ella Pickard

Honest Vic (IRE) 8 Carole Daly & Partners Henry Daly

Illegal Model (IRE) 7 Mr Alan Halsall Charlie Longsdon

Imperial Alcazar (IRE) 7 Imperial Racing Partnership 2016 Fergal O'Brien

It Could Be You (IRE) 7 Mrs H. Mullins Thomas Mullins

Jacamar (GER) 6 Pegasus Bloodstock Limited Milton Harris

Kansas City Chief (IRE) 12 Jersey Racing Friends Neil Mulholland

Keeper Hill (IRE) 10 McNeill Family Warren Greatrex

Lynwood Gold (IRE) 6 Robcour Mrs J. Harrington

Milliner (IRE) 8 Gigginstown House Stud Henry de Bromhead

Mr Harp (IRE) 8 Mr John Reddington Thomas Gallagher

Mrs Milner (IRE) 6 Manverton Limited Paul Nolan

No Comment (GB) 10 Mr John P. McManus Philip Hobbs

Perfect Man (IRE) 10 Mr James Finch Sophie Leech

Poker Play (FR) 8 The Angove Family David Pipe

Potters Hedger (GB) 9 Mrs J. May Lucy Wadham

Redford Road (GB) 7 Options O Syndicate Nigel Twiston-Davies

Rhinestone (IRE) 8 Mr John P. McManus Joseph Patrick O'Brien

Some Neck (FR) 10 Some Neck Partnership John McConnell

Southfield Harvest (GB) 7 Mrs Angela Yeoman & Mr Paul K. Barber Paul Nicholls

Spiritofthegames (IRE) 9 Mr N. W. Lake Dan Skelton

Storm Arising (IRE) 7 Barry Fulton & Mrs Angela Hart Paul Nicholls

Storm Goddess (IRE) 7 Don Sebastiao Partnership Charlie Longsdon

Tedham (GB) 7 Mr M. Tedham Jonjo O'Neill

The Bosses Oscar (IRE) 6 Noel Moran/Mrs Valerie Moran Gordon Elliott

Third Wind (GB) 7 Mouse Hamilton-Fairley Hughie Morrison

Unowhatimeanharry (GB) 13 Mr John P. McManus Harry Fry

Wingin A Prayer (IRE) 6 Rainbow Gems Syndicate Mrs J. Harrington

46 entries

Paddy Power Plate Handicap Chase (Grade 3) Thursday March 18
A Wave of The Sea (IRE) 5 Mr John P. McManus Joseph Patrick O'Brien

Admiral's Secret (GB) 10 The Whacko Partnership Victor Dartnall

Al Dancer (FR) 8 Walters Plant Hire Ltd Nigel Twiston-Davies

Almazhar Garde (FR) 6 Kate & Andrew Brooks Charlie Longsdon

Another Crick (GB) 8 Mr David Sewell Noel Williams

Aso (FR) 11 The Bellamy Partnership Venetia Williams

Assemble (GB) 7 Gigginstown House Stud Joseph Patrick O'Brien

Battleoverdoyen (IRE) 8 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott

Beat The Judge (IRE) 6 Mr Ed Babington Gary Moore

Before Midnight (GB) 8 Walters Plant Hire & Potter Group Sam Thomas

Benatar (IRE) 9 Mr Ashley Head Gary Moore

Caribean Boy (FR) 7 Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede Nicky Henderson

Casablanca Mix (FR) 9 Mr E. R. Hanbury Nicky Henderson

Cepage (FR) 9 The Bellamy Partnership Venetia Williams

Champagne Court (IRE) 8 Mr I F Gosden and Mr DJ Coles Jeremy Scott

Champagne Mystery (IRE) 7 Mr Trevor Hemmings Nicky Henderson

Chatham Street Lad (IRE) 9 Mr V. Healy Michael Winters

Claimantakinforgan (FR) 9 Lady Dulverton Nicky Henderson

Coko Beach (FR) 6 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott

Conflated (IRE) 7 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott

Coole Cody (IRE) 10 Mr W. Clifford Evan Williams

Dead Right (GB) 9 Mr John P. McManus Neil Mulholland

Defi Bleu (FR) 8 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott

Delire d'Estruval (FR) 8 Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede Ben Pauling

Discordantly (IRE) 7 The Odd Fellows Partnership Mrs J. Harrington

Dr Sanderson (IRE) 7 Mr John P. McManus Paul Nicholls

Eamon An Cnoic (IRE) 10 The Angove Family David Pipe

Eden du Houx (FR) 7 Prof. Caroline Tisdall David Pipe

Eldorado Allen (FR) 7 J P Romans & Terry Warner Colin Tizzard

Espoir de Guye (FR) 7 Mrs J. Hitchings Venetia Williams

Fan de Blues (FR) 6 Mr Simon Munir/Mr Isaac Souede W. P. Mullins

Fanion d'Estruval (FR) 6 Mr David Wilson Venetia Williams

Farclas (FR) 7 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott

Farmix (FR) 6 M. L. Bloodstock Limited Miss Elizabeth Doyle

Fils d'Oudairies (FR) 6 Mr Claudio Michael Grech Joseph Patrick O'Brien

Flowery (IRE) 9 Mr I. J. Jardine Iain Jardine

Gold Present (IRE) 11 Mr and Mrs J. D. Cotton Nicky Henderson

Happy Diva (IRE) 10 Mr Will Roseff Kerry Lee

Huntsman Son (IRE) 11 Mrs Wendy Wesley Alex Hales

Ibleo (FR) 8 The Bellamy Partnership Venetia Williams

Janika (FR) 8 Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede Nicky Henderson

Kiltealy Briggs (IRE) 7 McNeill Family Jamie Snowden

King of Realms (IRE) 9 Chandler Ferguson Hanafin Kelly Ian Williams

Laskalin (FR) 6 David & Carol Shaw Venetia Williams

Livelovelaugh (IRE) 11 Mrs S. Ricci W. P. Mullins

Magic Saint (FR) 7 Mr and Mrs J. D. Cotton Paul Nicholls

Maypole Class (IRE) 7 Delancey Jonjo O'Neill

Midnight Shadow (GB) 8 Mrs Aafke Clarke Sue Smith

Mister Whitaker (IRE) 9 Mr T. P. Radford Mick Channon

Mitchouka (FR) 7 C. Jones Gearoid O'Loughlin

My Way (FR) 7 Chris Giles Paul Nicholls

Nietzsche (GB) 8 D Gilbert, M Lawrence, A Bruce, G Wills Brian Ellison

Oldgrangewood (GB) 10 Chris Giles & Sandra Giles Dan Skelton

Paddy's Poem (GB) 10 Mrs T. Brown Nick Gifford

Paint The Dream (GB) 7 Mr David Brace Fergal O'Brien

Pinson du Rheu (FR) 10 Racehorse Ownership Club Alexandra Dunn

Pistol Whipped (IRE) 7 Mr A. Speelman & Mr M. Speelman Nicky Henderson

Precious Cargo (IRE) 8 Mr T. Barr Nicky Henderson

Romain de Senam (FR) 9 Chris Giles Dan Skelton

Saint Sonnet (FR) 6 Mr Colm Donlon Paul Nicholls

Samcro (IRE) 9 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott

Schiehallion Munro (GB) 8 Tennant, Lynch,Sharpe and Boston Micky Hammond

Senior Citizen (GB) 8 McNeill Family Alan King

Shattered Love (IRE) 10 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott

Slate House (IRE) 9 Eric Jones, Geoff Nicholas, John Romans Colin Tizzard

Smarty Wild (GB) 7 Mr Michael and Mrs Norma Tuckey Philip Hobbs

Southfield Stone (GB) 8 Mrs Angela Hart & Mrs Angela Yeoman Paul Nicholls

Spiritofthegames (IRE) 9 Mr N. W. Lake Dan Skelton

Sully D'oc AA (FR) 7 Mr John P. McManus Anthony Honeyball

The Shunter (IRE) 8 Mr P. Byrne Emmet Mullins

The Unit (IRE) 10 International Plywood (Importers) Ltd Alan King

Top Notch (FR) 10 Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede Nicky Henderson

Tout Est Permis (FR) 8 Gigginstown House Stud Noel Meade

Townshend (GER) 10 Mr J. D. Neild Nigel Twiston-Davies

Two Taffs (IRE) 11 Walters Plant Hire & Potter Group Nigel Twiston-Davies

Umbrigado (IRE) 7 John White & Anne Underhill David Pipe

Up The Straight (IRE) 7 The Forever Partnership Richard Rowe

Whatswrongwithyou (IRE) 10 Turf Club 2020 Nicky Henderson

78 entries

Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Amateur Jockeys' Handicap Chase (Sponsored by the JRL Group) Thursday March 18
Acey Milan (IRE) 7 Owners For Owners: Acey Milan Anthony Honeyball

Achille (FR) 11 Mrs Vida Bingham Venetia Williams

Almazhar Garde (FR) 6 Kate & Andrew Brooks Charlie Longsdon

Another Venture (IRE) 10 Racing For Maggie's Partnership Kim Bailey

Beau Bay (FR) 10 Mr Peter Green & Dr RDP Newland Dr Richard Newland

Big River (IRE) 11 Two Black Labs Lucinda Russell

Bob Mahler (IRE) 9 Bolingbroke, Bunch, Howard & Sutton Warren Greatrex

Braeside (IRE) 7 KTDA Racing Gordon Elliott

Champagne Mystery (IRE) 7 Mr Trevor Hemmings Nicky Henderson

Cloudy Glen (IRE) 8 Mr Trevor Hemmings Venetia Williams

Cobolobo (FR) 9 Anne, Harriet & Lucinda Bond Jonjo O'Neill

Count Meribel (GB) 9 Mr Charles C. Walker Nigel Twiston-Davies

Coup de Pinceau (FR) 9 Sherborne Utilities Ltd Nick Mitchell

Crievehill (IRE) 9 Highclere T'Bred Racing- Crievehill Nigel Twiston-Davies

Deise Aba (IRE) 8 Mr Trevor Hemmings Philip Hobbs

Demachine (IRE) 7 West Coast Haulage Limited Kerry Lee

Destinee Royale (FR) 8 Mr C. Boultbee-Brooks Venetia Williams

Didero Vallis (FR) 8 Normans, Ramsay, Tufnell & Bishop Venetia Williams

Doing Fine (IRE) 13 Neil Mulholland Racing Club Neil Mulholland

Double Shuffle (IRE) 11 Crossed Fingers Partnership Tom George

Fagan (GB) 11 Mr Ben Brackenbury Alex Hales

Flying Angel (IRE) 10 Mr R. J. Rexton Nigel Twiston-Davies

Go Another One (IRE) 9 Ms Caroline Ahearn John McConnell

Gold Present (IRE) 11 Mr and Mrs J. D. Cotton Nicky Henderson

Hold That Taught (GB) 6 Mr P. Davies Venetia Williams

Hold The Note (IRE) 7 Mr T. P. Radford Mick Channon

Jerrysback (IRE) 9 Mr John P. McManus Philip Hobbs

Just Your Type (IRE) 9 Mr Tyrone Hanlon Charlie Longsdon

Kilfilum Cross (IRE) 10 Andy Bell & Fergus Lyons Henry Oliver

Kings Temptation (GB) 9 Lady Jane Grosvenor Ben Case

Late Romantic (IRE) 11 Spitalized Racing Oliver Greenall

Le Breuil (FR) 9 Mrs Emma Palmer Ben Pauling

Macgiloney (IRE) 8 M. Moloney Denis G. Hogan

Mighty Thunder (GB) 8 Allson Sparkle Ltd Lucinda Russell

Milanford (IRE) 7 Sherborne Utilities Ltd Nick Mitchell

Minella Encore (IRE) 9 Foxtrot Racing Minella Encore Dr Richard Newland

Mister Murchan (IRE) 8 The Battle Anthem Partnership Richard Rowe

Morning Vicar (IRE) 8 The Parishioners Nicky Henderson

Mount Ida (IRE) 7 KTDA Racing Gordon Elliott

Mr Muldoon (IRE) 8 Foxtrot Racing Mr Muldoon Dr Richard Newland

Musical Slave (IRE) 8 Mr John P. McManus Philip Hobbs

Nestor Park (FR) 8 Mrs S. P. Davis Ben Pauling

Pinson du Rheu (FR) 10 Racehorse Ownership Club Alexandra Dunn

Plan of Attack (IRE) 8 Mr A. Halsall Henry de Bromhead

Red Infantry (IRE) 11 Mr Rob Little Ian Williams

Run Wild Fred (IRE) 7 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott

Shantou Flyer (IRE) 11 David Maxwell Racing Limited Paul Nicholls

Sheneededtherun (IRE) 11 Sam Allwood Racing Club Sam Allwood

Singlefarmpayment (GB) 11 Mr N T Griffith & H M Haddock Henry Oliver

Sizing At Midnight (IRE) 9 Ann & Alan Potts Limited Colin Tizzard

Snow Leopardess (GB) 9 Mr A. Fox-Pitt Charlie Longsdon

Sojourn (IRE) 8 Jon & Jacqueline Hughes Anthony Honeyball

Storm Control (IRE) 8 Mr Will Roseff Kerry Lee

The Kings Writ (IRE) 10 Mr D Stevens & Mrs S Stevens Kayley Woollacott

The Mighty Don (IRE) 9 Golden Rose Partnership Nick Gifford

Thermistocles (IRE) 9 Miss Sarah O'Brien Joseph Patrick O'Brien

Time To Get Up (IRE) 8 Mr John P. McManus Jonjo O'Neill

Townshend (GER) 10 Mr J. D. Neild Nigel Twiston-Davies

Truckin Away (IRE) 8 Brocade Racing Philip Hobbs

Valtor (FR) 12 Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede Nicky Henderson

Vintage Clouds (IRE) 11 Mr Trevor Hemmings Sue Smith

Vivas (FR) 10 Mr Nigel M. Davies Charlie Longsdon

Wandrin Star (IRE) 10 Mrs Penny Perriss Kim Bailey

Young Dev (IRE) 7 Mr L. Mulryan Denis G. Hogan

Young Wolf (IRE) 8 Mrs Gay Smith Jonjo O'Neill

65 entries

McCoy Contractors County Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) Friday March 19
Adjali (GER) 6 Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede Nicky Henderson

Anna Bunina (FR) 5 Ms Caroline Ahearn John McConnell

Belfast Banter (IRE) 6 Direct Bloodstock Limited Peter Fahey

Blue Lord (FR) 6 Mr Simon Munir/Mr Isaac Souede W. P. Mullins

Blue Sari (FR) 6 Mr John P. McManus W. P. Mullins

Buildmeupbuttercup (GB) 7 Mr J. Turner W. P. Mullins

Cadzand (IRE) 6 CHELSEA THOROUGHBREDS - CADZAND Dan Skelton

Call Me Lord (FR) 8 Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede Nicky Henderson

Captain Kangaroo (IRE) 6 Kanga Racing & Brett Graham Syndicate W. P. Mullins

Cayd Boy (FR) 6 Mr John P. McManus Miss Elizabeth Doyle

Champagne Gold (IRE) 6 Mr Barry Maloney Henry de Bromhead

Christopher Wood (IRE) 6 Ms Sharon Kinsella Paul Nicholls

Ciel De Neige (FR) 6 Mr John P. McManus W. P. Mullins

Coeur Sublime (IRE) 6 C. Jones Gearoid O'Loughlin

Darasso (FR) 8 Mr John P. McManus Joseph Patrick O'Brien

Didtheyleaveuoutto (IRE) 8 Mr John P. McManus Nick Gifford

Dolciano Dici (FR) 8 Miss Daisy Hitchins Brian Barr

Drop The Anchor (IRE) 7 Mr John P. McManus P. A. Fahy

Dysart Diamond (IRE) 6 Ms Eleanor Manning W. P. Mullins

Eamon An Cnoic (IRE) 10 The Angove Family David Pipe

Eclair de Beaufeu (FR) 7 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott

Edwardstone (GB) 7 Robert Abrey & Ian Thurtle Alan King

Enemy Coast Ahead (GB) 7 McNeill Family Olly Murphy

Eskylane (IRE) 7 K Haughey/Laura Haughey/Kieran T Byrne Gordon Elliott

Felix Desjy (FR) 8 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott

Fifty Ball (FR) 6 Mr Steven Packham Gary Moore

Fire Attack (IRE) 6 Gigginstown House Stud Joseph Patrick O'Brien

Forest Bihan (FR) 10 Phil & Julie Martin Brian Ellison

Foveros (FR) 6 Luke McMahon/Francis Mangan W. P. Mullins

Fred (FR) 6 Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede Nicky Henderson

Galopin des Champs (FR) 5 Mrs Audrey Turley W. P. Mullins

Ganapathi (FR) 5 Mrs J. Donnelly W. P. Mullins

Getaway Gorgeous (IRE) 7 Whitegrass Getaway Syndicate W. P. Mullins

Global Citizen (IRE) 9 The Megsons Ben Pauling

Golden Taipan (IRE) 7 Double Barrels Of Courage Fergal O'Brien

Gowel Road (IRE) 5 Options O Syndicate Nigel Twiston-Davies

Guard Your Dreams (GB) 5 Graham and Alison Jelley Nigel Twiston-Davies

Hannon (IRE) 6 Mr D. Kierans T. Gibney

Heaven Help Us (IRE) 7 Mr J. Turner P. Hennessy

Here Comes McCoy (IRE) 6 Mr C. J. Haughey Olly Murphy

Hes A Hardy Bloke (IRE) 6 Hammer & Trowel Syndicate Noel Meade

Highway One O Two (IRE) 6 Mr Anthony Ward-Thomas Chris Gordon

Hybery (FR) 7 Hybery Racing Syndicate W. P. Mullins

Hydroplane (IRE) 5 John Nicholls Racing Ian Williams

Irascible (FR) 6 Gigginstown House Stud Henry de Bromhead

Jesse Evans (IRE) 5 Jack Singleton Noel Meade

King Roland (IRE) 7 Masterson Holdings Limited Harry Fry

Le Patriote (FR) 9 Canard Vert Racing Club Dr Richard Newland

Leoncavallo (IRE) 9 ValueRacingClub.co.uk David Pipe

Lucky One (FR) 6 Sullivan Bloodstock & Hughes Crowley Paul Nicholls

Magic Tricks (FR) 5 Mr John P. McManus Gordon Elliott

Marie's Rock (IRE) 6 Middleham Park Racing XLII Nicky Henderson

Masters Legacy (IRE) 6 Mrs P. Bosley Philip Hobbs

Mengli Khan (IRE) 8 Mr Michael Blencowe Nicky Henderson

Mick Maestro (FR) 8 Crossed Fingers Partnership Nick Kent

Milkwood (IRE) 7 Ms J. Bridel Neil Mulholland

Natural History (GB) 6 Hail Sargent Evans Gary Moore

N'Golo (IRE) 6 Mrs S. Ricci W. P. Mullins

Niblawi (IRE) 9 Mr James Finch Sophie Leech

Night Edition (FR) 5 Mr Stuart & Simon Mercer & John Gent David Pipe

Oakley (IRE) 8 Tim Syder Philip Hobbs

Petit Mouchoir (FR) 10 Noel Moran/Mrs Valerie Moran Gordon Elliott

Pic D'orhy (FR) 6 Mrs Johnny de la Hey Paul Nicholls

Proschema (IRE) 6 Empire State Racing Partnership Dan Skelton

Repetitio (IRE) 5 Atlantic Friends Racing Nigel Hawke

River Bray (IRE) 8 The River Bray Syndicate Victor Dartnall

Robinshill (IRE) 10 Mr R. J. Rexton Nigel Twiston-Davies

Saint d'Oroux (FR) 5 Mr Simon Munir/Mr Isaac Souede Gordon Elliott

Saldier (FR) 7 Mrs S. Ricci W. P. Mullins

Scardura (IRE) 7 Jane Nuala Cartwright Neil Mulholland

Shakem Up'arry (IRE) 7 Mr Harry Redknapp Ben Pauling

Soaring Glory (IRE) 6 Mr P. Hickey Jonjo O'Neill

Solo (FR) 5 Mrs Johnny de la Hey Paul Nicholls

Son of Camas (FR) 6 Sullivan Bloodstock Limited Nicky Henderson

Strong Glance (GB) 8 Welfordgolf syndicate Olly Murphy

Tea Clipper (IRE) 6 Mr Jerry Hinds & Mr Ashley Head Tom Lacey

Tegerek (FR) 7 Local Parking Security Limited Jonjo O'Neill

The Shunter (IRE) 8 Mr P. Byrne Emmet Mullins

Thedevilscoachman (IRE) 5 Mr John P. McManus Noel Meade

Third Time Lucki (IRE) 6 Mike and Eileen Newbould Dan Skelton

Thyme White (FR) 5 The Stewart Family Paul Nicholls

Tiger Tap Tap (GER) 6 Mrs S. Ricci W. P. Mullins

Uradel (GER) 10 Luke McMahon W. P. Mullins

Voix du Reve (FR) 9 D & D Armstrong Ltd & Mr L Westwood Iain Jardine

West Cork Wildway (IRE) 7 Fernhill Tower Syndicate Paul O'Flynn

Witness Protection (IRE) 8 FOXTROT RACING WITNESS PROTECTION Martin Keighley

Wolf Prince (IRE) 5 Mr Patrick Sheanon Gavin Cromwell

You Raised Me Up (IRE) 8 Chiat Kwong Ching/S. Mulryan Martin Brassil

Zurekin (IRE) 5 Mr James Finch Sophie Leech

89 entries

Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle – Friday March 19
Adjali (GER) 6 Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede Nicky Henderson

Alaphilippe (IRE) 7 Mr Nic Brereton Fergal O'Brien

Amour de Nuit (IRE) 9 Mr Andrew Williams Paul Nicholls

And The New (IRE) 10 Mr Peter Randall Johnny Farrelly

Back On The Lash (GB) 7 Mr M. Boothright Martin Keighley

Ballybegg (IRE) 6 Glass Half Full Kerry Lee

Barnaviddaun (IRE) 8 Graham Clarkson & Andrew Smelt David Bridgwater

Birchdale (IRE) 7 Mr John P. McManus Nicky Henderson

Bois de Clamart (FR) 7 BD Partners Partnership Miss Elizabeth Doyle

Boreham Bill (IRE) 9 Mrs Susan Foran Emma Lavelle

Breffniboy (FR) 7 Mr F. A. Clegg Johnny Farrelly

Bua Boy (IRE) 6 Katie & Brian Castle Partnership Denis G. Hogan

Campeador (FR) 9 Mr John P. McManus Gordon Elliott

Capilano Bridge (IRE) 6 Mr Hugo Kane Conor O'Dwyer

Castle Robin (IRE) 6 Bradley Partnership Charlie Longsdon

Champagne Court (IRE) 8 Mr I F Gosden and Mr DJ Coles Jeremy Scott

Champagne Gold (IRE) 6 Mr Barry Maloney Henry de Bromhead

Clondaw Cian (IRE) 11 Mr G. Thompson Sophie Leech

Colonial Dreams (IRE) 9 Mr C. N. Barnes Nicky Henderson

Column of Fire (IRE) 7 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott

Commandingpresence (IRE) 6 Mrs M. J. Wogan Henry de Bromhead

Coole Cody (IRE) 10 Mr W. Clifford Evan Williams

Cracking Smart (FR) 9 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott

Craigneiche (IRE) 7 Mr Robert Kirkland Nicky Henderson

Dallas des Pictons (FR) 8 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott

Dans Le Vent (FR) 8 R J Gambarini Racing Evan Williams

Deniliquin (IRE) 6 McNeill Family Paul Nicholls

Didtheyleaveuoutto (IRE) 8 Mr John P. McManus Nick Gifford

Diego du Charmil (FR) 9 Mrs Johnny de la Hey Paul Nicholls

Diese des Bieffes (FR) 8 Sullivan Bloodstock Limited Paul Nicholls

Does He Know (GB) 6 Yes He Does Syndicate Kim Bailey

Dolciano Dici (FR) 8 Miss Daisy Hitchins Brian Barr

Dream Berry (FR) 10 Mr John P. McManus Jonjo O'Neill

Dunboyne (IRE) 6 S. P. O'Connor Gordon Elliott

Dysart Diamond (IRE) 6 Ms Eleanor Manning W. P. Mullins

Eamon An Cnoic (IRE) 10 The Angove Family David Pipe

Ecco (GB) 6 Mr Colm Donlon Paul Nicholls

Eglantine du Seuil (FR) 7 The Unlikely Lads Paul Nicholls

Encore Champs (IRE) 7 Bryan Drew Dan Skelton

Enemy Coast Ahead (GB) 7 McNeill Family Olly Murphy

Eskylane (IRE) 7 K Haughey/Laura Haughey/Kieran T Byrne Gordon Elliott

Fabulous Saga (FR) 9 Sullivan Bloodstock Limited Paul Nicholls

Farceur du Large (FR) 6 Gigginstown House Stud Noel Meade

Farouk d'Alene (FR) 6 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott

Fire Attack (IRE) 6 Gigginstown House Stud Joseph Patrick O'Brien

First Lord de Cuet (FR) 7 Potter, Pipe and Pete David Pipe

Floueur (FR) 6 Mr Claudio Michael Grech Gordon Elliott

Folcano (FR) 6 Noel Moran/Mrs Valerie Moran Gordon Elliott

Foveros (FR) 6 Luke McMahon/Francis Mangan W. P. Mullins

Front View (FR) 6 Mr John P. McManus Joseph Patrick O'Brien

Frontal Assault (IRE) 6 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott

Funky Dady (FR) 6 Final Reminder Syndicate Denis G. Hogan

Gabynako (FR) 6 Mick & Molly Syndicate Gavin Cromwell

Galopin des Champs (FR) 5 Mrs Audrey Turley W. P. Mullins

Ganapathi (FR) 5 Mrs J. Donnelly W. P. Mullins

Garo de Juilley (FR) 9 Mr G. Thompson Sophie Leech

Gentleman de Mee (FR) 5 Mr John P. McManus W. P. Mullins

Global Equity (IRE) 6 Annus Mirabilis Syndicate Joseph Patrick O'Brien

Go Another One (IRE) 9 Ms Caroline Ahearn John McConnell

Goa Lil (FR) 5 Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede Nigel Twiston-Davies

Golden Taipan (IRE) 7 Double Barrels Of Courage Fergal O'Brien

Grand Paradis (FR) 5 Andrew Brown/Gemma Brown Gordon Elliott

Grumpy Charley (GB) 6 Mr G. Thompson Chris Honour

Guard Your Dreams (GB) 5 Graham and Alison Jelley Nigel Twiston-Davies

Gunsight Ridge (GB) 6 Mrs Diana L. Whateley Olly Murphy

Gustavian (IRE) 6 Decimus Racing I Anthony Honeyball

Heaven Help Us (IRE) 7 Mr J. Turner P. Hennessy

Hunters Call (IRE) 11 Holloway,Clarke,Black Olly Murphy

It Could Be You (IRE) 7 Mrs H. Mullins Thomas Mullins

Jacamar (GER) 6 Pegasus Bloodstock Limited Milton Harris

Janika (FR) 8 Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede Nicky Henderson

Koshari (FR) 9 Mrs S. Ricci W. P. Mullins

Lady Breffni (IRE) 7 Mr Mark Dobbin W. P. Mullins

Langer Dan (IRE) 5 Mr Colm Donlon Dan Skelton

Leoncavallo (IRE) 9 ValueRacingClub.co.uk David Pipe

Lieutenant Command (FR) 7 Gigginstown House Stud Noel Meade

Lord Accord (IRE) 6 Lynne & Angus Maclennan Neil Mulholland

Low Sun (GB) 8 Mrs S. Ricci W. P. Mullins

Lynwood Gold (IRE) 6 Robcour Mrs J. Harrington

Martinhal (IRE) 6 Mrs Lynne Maclennan David Pipe

Maze Runner (IRE) 6 Mrs J. M. Mullins W. P. Mullins

Mill Green (GB) 9 Mrs Rita Brown Nicky Henderson

Mint Condition (GB) 7 Whites Property Limited Jennie Candlish

Monte Cristo (FR) 5 Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede Nicky Henderson

My Sister Sarah (IRE) 7 Barnane Stud W. P. Mullins

My Way (FR) 7 Chris Giles Paul Nicholls

Nelson River (GB) 6 CCCP Syndicate Tony Carroll

Newtown Boy (IRE) 8 The County Set Eight Keith Dalgleish

N'Golo (IRE) 6 Mrs S. Ricci W. P. Mullins

Niblawi (IRE) 9 Mr James Finch Sophie Leech

Night Edition (FR) 5 Mr Stuart & Simon Mercer & John Gent David Pipe

Nightboattoclyro (GB) 7 Glastonburys & On The Gallops 1 Samuel Drinkwater

Paddys Motorbike (IRE) 9 Walters Plant Hire Ltd Egan Waste Ltd Sam Thomas

Palladium (GB) 5 A. Meade,G. Van Geest & E. Kelvin-Hughes Nicky Henderson

Palmers Hill (IRE) 8 Mr John P. McManus Jonjo O'Neill

Perfect Man (IRE) 10 Mr James Finch Sophie Leech

Pileon (IRE) 7 Tim Syder & Martin St Quinton Philip Hobbs

Pinson du Rheu (FR) 10 Racehorse Ownership Club Alexandra Dunn

Pyramid Place (IRE) 4 M. F. Harris Milton Harris

Ragnar Lodbrok (IRE) 6 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott

Red Gerry (IRE) 5 Red Gerry Syndicate Noel Meade

Repetitio (IRE) 5 Atlantic Friends Racing Nigel Hawke

Ruaille Buaille (IRE) 6 Ri Ra Racing Syndicate W. P. Mullins

Sail Away (FR) 5 Mr and Mrs J. D. Cotton Dan Skelton

Saint d'Oroux (FR) 5 Mr Simon Munir/Mr Isaac Souede Gordon Elliott

Saint Sonnet (FR) 6 Mr Colm Donlon Paul Nicholls

Sandymount Rose (IRE) 7 Proudley and Whymark Partnership Neil Mulholland

Sayo (GB) 7 Miss M. A. Masterson W. P. Mullins

Sneaky Getaway (IRE) 8 Mrs Margaret O'Rourke/E Hogan Emmet Mullins

Solo (FR) 5 Mrs Johnny de la Hey Paul Nicholls

Son of Camas (FR) 6 Sullivan Bloodstock Limited Nicky Henderson

Spiritofthegames (IRE) 9 Mr N. W. Lake Dan Skelton

Storm Goddess (IRE) 7 Don Sebastiao Partnership Charlie Longsdon

Stratum (GB) 8 Anthony Bloom W. P. Mullins

Style de Garde (FR) 7 Highclere Thoroughbred Racing - Style Nicky Henderson

The Shunter (IRE) 8 Mr P. Byrne Emmet Mullins

Topofthecotswolds (IRE) 7 Mr M. A. Reay Nigel Twiston-Davies

Torygraph (IRE) 6 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott

Up The Straight (IRE) 7 The Forever Partnership Richard Rowe

Uradel (GER) 10 Luke McMahon W. P. Mullins

Vive Le Roi (IRE) 10 Surefire Racing Tony Carroll

Vorashann (FR) 5 T. Jacobs, J.E. Harley & Mr G.L. Moore Gary Moore

West Cork Wildway (IRE) 7 Fernhill Tower Syndicate Paul O'Flynn

Whatsupwithyou (IRE) 7 Co-Foundations Ltd Ben Pauling

Wide Receiver (IRE) 6 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott

Wingin A Prayer (IRE) 6 Rainbow Gems Syndicate Mrs J. Harrington

Witness Protection (IRE) 8 Foxtrot Racing Martin Keighley

Wolf Prince (IRE) 5 Mr Patrick Sheanon Gavin Cromwell

128 entries

[dennisg]

The winners have been flowing for Peter Naughton and he picks out more horses who have made it into the Notebook this week.

Click here for more of Peter's free notebook horses
Having enjoyed Notebook winners Indigo Times (11/1) and Anythingforlove (18/1) in the last two weeks, it was great to watch fellow Notebook horses Longshanks (10/1) and Shamarouski (11/1) winning this time.

Longshanks won the first division of the 2m novices' hurdle at Wincanton on Saturday. Philip Hobbs' lightly raced seven-year-old jumped well and cruised throughout before easing past odds-on favourite Pozo Emery. The winner will be even more exciting in handicaps and I recently described him in this column as, "the Notebook horse that I'm most excited by this season."

The progressive gelding was previously given a sympathetic ride when fifth in the maiden hurdle at the same track and was expected to build on that return from a 47-day absence. He was sixth at a big price at Lingfield on debut over a more suitable 2m3f and that form has worked out very well and Longshanks will be extremely interesting in handicaps. Keep him in your My Stable.

Shamarouski produced immediate profit for the Notebook in the 6f handicap at Chelmsford on Thursday.

Racing keenly behind a very strong pace, the free-going five-year-old was ridden for the first time by Franny Norton and wore a first-time hood to help him settle. The duo produced a strong burst on the outside to get up on the line and there could be more to come with a similar set up, i.e. being delivered off a fast pace.

This ex-Irish gelding raced too keenly over 7f last time-his first start for Michael Wigham - so the drop in trip was a wise move.

I noted that he looked an interesting prospect for the 6f handicap at Newcastle a week earlier but this lightly raced son of Bungle Inthejungle was declared a non-runner due to travel problems. Connections found the right race on Thursday and will be keen to exploit his favourable mark again.

I presented Racing TV from Carlisle last week and noted a major eye-catcher in the second division of the 2m1f novice hurdle. Pitempton Power finished fourth but will have learned plenty; he looks a quality prospect for northern handicaps.

Alistair Whillans' six-year-old showed a bit of ability in bumpers at Sedgefield and Newcastle and this was a highly promising start over hurdles. Sent off at huge odds, the well regarded son of Yeats chased the leaders and lacked fluency four-out.

Pushed along when making a mistake two-out, he was ridden approaching the last and although no match for classy winner Dreams Of Home, kept on very promisingly.

A contact from the yard approached me at Wetherby the following day and joked that my highlighting the eye-catcher had not gone down too well with connections. It was all in good humour and the gentleman confirmed the horse is held in high regard. He goes to Sedgefield on Thursday for another novice hurdle but I'll be more interested in this horse in handicaps.

Across the card, Rescue Package is worth a bet in the Grade Three novice hurdle at Thurles; the return to a more suitable 2m5f will be ideal.

The selection was last of 17 finishers in a 2m2f mares' handicap hurdle at Leopardstown a fortnight ago but that doesn't tell half the story.

Proven over 2m6f, the stoutly bred daughter of Montmatre was making ground on the leaders when badly hampered by the fall of Tintangle two out.

She was wisely allowed to come home in her own time as all chance had gone but her proven stamina would have been as asset in the closing stages without the mishap. Compensation awaits.

[dennisg]

It is “all systems go” for Cap Du Nord ahead of the Close Brothers Handicap Chase at Kempton on Saturday.

A winner at Newbury earlier this season, the eight-year-old has subsequently chased home possible Gold Cup contender Royale Pagaille at Kempton over Christmas and then finished a creditable third in the Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster.

Trainer Christian Williams feels conditions back at Kempton will suit him much better this weekend and he is excited to be running in a major handicap with a favourite’s chance.

“It’s all systems go and we’re excited. Better ground could be the key to him, we’ll see this weekend,” said Williams.

“We took him to Cheltenham (on Monday) with Potters Corner for a school over the cross-country fences and he went well. It will be a quiet week now before Kempton.”

Betfair - Build Your Free Pot For Cheltenham offer
Betfair - Build Your Free Pot For Cheltenham offer
Reflecting on his Doncaster effort in soft ground, Williams said: “We probably could have gone for an easier race somewhere, but we wanted to be involved in a real nice race.

“We’re up to 142 now so we’ve got to go for the nice races, but it’s great to be involved in them. I could probably find a race midweek that he could go and win, but we want to be involved on the big days as it helps raise the profile of the yard.

“It’s good experience for Jack (Tudor) to be riding in these types of races.”

[dennisg]

Officials at Ascot are considering the dilemma of whether to try to put the five-day Royal meeting back a week in the hope of having a full crowd.

As the road map currently stands, a limited number would be allowed at the current dates of June 15-19 – but restrictions could be lifted in their entirety on June 21.

Ascot’s director of communications Nick Smith told Nick Luck’s Daily Podcast: “We were quietly surprised and probably quite pleased at the level of detail the Prime Minister was able to share (on Monday).

“It was certainly a surprise to us there was so much detail about the return of crowds to sporting events so early – so we’ve got an awful lot to digest.

“It’s natural the question (of moving the meeting back a week) would be asked. I think the reality is what the Prime Minister said was that stage 4 would be June 21 at the earliest. With Royal Ascot due to end on June 19, if it were to move a week later, that doesn’t give an awful lot of room for slippage.

Betfair - Build Your Free Pot For Cheltenham offer
Betfair - Build Your Free Pot For Cheltenham offer
“At this particular point in time, bearing in mind all the complexities of moving a race meeting with Pattern issues and the real uncertainty over whether June 21 will become tenable, we’re just watching this space.

“I wouldn’t want to set hares running to say there is a plan in the background to move the Royal meeting because a) it’s too early to think about that and b) there isn’t at this stage.

“I think we have to be realistic. It’s not impossible, and some would say it’s likely, that there will be some slippage in this programme – which won’t mean it’s failing, it will just mean the natural course of events aren’t as quick as people would like.

“It’s extremely complicated. Saying one week we could plan for ‘x’ thousand and the next plan for 70,000 capacity – or what have you – would require a huge amount of expenditure, and if you aren’t absolutely certain you would be able to deliver it one week later would be financially a very difficult risk to take, especially given what we faced last year and what we face this year.

“The really great news is that it appears to be likely we will be able to welcome at least some crowd. We don’t know what the number will be, as the Government has detailed what you can accommodate in a stadium – which is seat-based – and courses don’t operate like that.”

[dennisg]

Oisin Murphy admits he came close to turning his back on race-riding following a difficult and high-profile period of his life after serving a drugs ban.

The champion jockey is the latest star name to guest on the My Sporting Mind podcast, sponsored by Sporting Life.

He admits there were times he felt he was going to lose his title during a testing late-summer period before he was able to fend off the challenge of William Buick - all amid a failed drugs test in France that ultimately led to a six-month suspension.

Oisin Murphy considered his future in racing after being banned for six-months
And, at his lowest, Murphy considered giving up race riding.

"I felt like the world had turned against me, over something I didn't really mean to happen," Murphy told My Sporting Mind presenter Charlie Webster.

"I probably spent a couple of weeks thinking about what I should do and when I say 'I wouldn't get back on a horse', I'd obviously go riding on the roads and watch show jumping and ride as a hobby, but whether I wanted to race-ride again is something I wasn't entirely comfortable with.

"That's something I haven't really touched on before, certainly not publicly.

"When I went to America [for the Breeders' Cup] I was hoping I'd done enough to win the Jockeys' Championship and by the time I rode in my last race, I wasn't quite sure if I wanted to ride again.

"Or I wasn't sure where or when I wanted to race-ride again."

Oisin Murphy speaks openly about the highs and lows of his career on the latest Sporting Mind podcast
Oisin Murphy speaks openly about the highs and lows of his career on the latest Sporting Mind podcast
My Sporting Mind podcast is available through your normal podcast provider, including:

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Murphy will be back on March 11 after his six-month suspension was reduced to three following a semi-successful appeal, but admits he struggled mentally heading into the autumn as performances declined while he awaited news of his fate.

"There was a medical hearing and they absolved me of taking cocaine myself, and then you have your actual hearing in another couple of weeks," he explained.

"I was obviously pleased not to get my full sentence of six months - I was a bit disappointed not to get zero - but they gave me three, and I thanked them for considering my case.

"I didn't ride very well in August and as a result of that my confidence and my whole outlook took a dip as well.

"I remember not sleeping for days on end, I might get an hour here and there then wake up. Your mood changes and declines. People tell you the best thing to do is speak and voice your thoughts, but sometimes you're not in the mood to speak to anyone.

"One thing that got me going again was watching lots of motivational videos on YouTube, lots of celebrity ones too including Denzel Washington. They can really get you in the mood and get you out of bed.

"I stopped feeling sorry for myself and got through August and I won a Group One in September, my strike-rate improved to above 20%."

Oisin Murphy secured back-to-back champion jockey titles in 2020
In a better place mental health-wise, Murphy had the goal of retaining his jockeys' title to aim for at the backend of 2020 and, while it looked a foregone conclusion at one point, he had to shut off the looming fear of a long ban to focus on securing his crown once more.

"The Jockeys' Championship - which means so much to me - was extended to early November and having led from flag-fall, the boys behind me got very close," Murphy said.

"October didn't look so well as I knew I had to miss parts of the season including flying to America to ride at the Breeders' Cup.

"I had the drug case weighing on my mind, every time I tried to forget it I'd get a letter in the post about it and it would be on my mind constantly again. I knew I had good people behind me that really helped, but my future was still very much up in the air, which was very hard.

"I remember clearly around October 21 I was riding on a very cold evening at Kempton and I remember feeling the season was going to be defined one of two ways - I could fight on or let my season, my year, crumble to nothing.

"I knew I was going to get the ban, but I also knew that if I didn't win the Jockeys' Championship it would have been a season when I allowed everything that was going on around me to defeat me.

"But if I could get it over the line I'd have proved that where most people would have crumbled, or thrown in the towel, I'd have picked myself up off the floor. And no one can do that for you, you've got to do that for yourself.

My Sporting Mind...with Oisin Murphy: I almost QUIT racing
"So in late-October, William [Buick] got within four winners of me and I went to Newcastle under real pressure. I rode four winners and the following day at Chelmsford I had six rides and won four of them as well.

"After such a hard time it was at that point I was able to give myself a little bit of a pat on the back having been written-off by a lot of people. That was an important moment for myself, my inner belief and well-being."

The 25-year-old also revealed how Frankie Dettori has helped him get through such a difficult time. Dettori was banned for six-months by France Gallop in 2012 after testing positive for a banned substance and admitted taking cocaine.

"He keeps messaging me and telling me not to go off the rails. There was a lot of people worried about me when I found myself with so much free time. He, my management team, friends were all worried.

"I've had a lot of people, checking in to see that I've not done anything stupid, not been drinking excessively and things like that.

"I remember seeing Frankie as he was just returning from his ban. He was overweight, unshaven, he looked miserable and didn't want to talk to anyone. He has very low, which was all very unlike him.

"He had one ride that day that was useless. He could have given up, but he kept battling, he made himself go racing everyday - one ride there, one ride here. The only time he was spoken about in the media was to say his career was done.

"But he kept battling and he turned it all around again. His life, career and mental well-being all turned around. He managed to climb back up and become the face of racing again.

"Everyone's experience and situation is different, but I've certainly taken strength and encouragement from Frankie's journey to help me get through this."

Things are looking up for Britain's Champion Jockey as he nears the end of his ban. And, as he goes for a third successive title in 2021, he has plenty to draw on following a turbulent 2020.

"The higher you climb, the further you fall. I'm twice Champion Jockey, the youngest person ever to win a Japan Cup, and I've tried very hard to do well. If I do come back, and I do very much hope I will, I'm hungry as I ever have been now.

"I feel great at the moment, as we speak I'm in top spirits, but I need to achieve again, I can't just roll back into the jockeys' room and go around riding five horses a day and maybe winning only one.

"If I make it my intention to come back and to do well then I really have to go to another level."

[dennisg]

Gary Moore is counting down the days to the Unibet Champion Hurdle after Goshen returned to form in some style with a wide-margin victory in the Kingwell Hurdle.

The five-year-old accounted for Coral Hurdle and International Hurdle scorer Song For Someone by 22 lengths, as he blitzed the opposition at Wincanton on Saturday.

There is less than three weeks to the two-mile showpiece at the Cheltenham Festival, in which Goshen will bid to erase the frustration of his dramatic final-flight exit in the Triumph Hurdle last year when he had the race at his mercy.

“He’s come out of his race very well,” said West Sussex-based Moore on Wednesday. “We’ll just do what we do and hopefully keep him on track for Cheltenham.

“I’ve done nothing with him. He’s just gone out for a jog around the place and nice easy exercise. He’s taking it all well and seems in good order. I’m very pleased with him.”

Stablemate Fifty Ball could well have booked his place at the Festival too, after beating all bar Soaring Glory in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury on Sunday.

The six-year-old put up a career-best performance in the one of the most competitive handicap hurdles on the calendar.

Moore has to decide which of his three entries – Sky Bet Supreme Novices’, Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle and County Hurdle – Fifty Ball will take up.

“It would have been better if he’d have won, but he could not do any more than run the race of his life,” he said.

“I did expect him to run a big race, but I didn’t know if he was up to that company. He was just beaten by maybe a better horse on the day.

“He’s in a couple of novices and he’s in a handicap at Cheltenham. He could well end up there, but I don’t know which race at the moment.”

[dennisg]

Martello Sky features among 33 entries for the Grade Two Parnell Properties Dawn Run Mares' Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival on March 18.

The five-year-old has won both her starts over hurdles, latterly scoring at Market Rasen on Sunday (February 21st).

Her trainer, Newmarket-based Lucy Wadham, revealed: “She has run pretty well everywhere she has run. We have not got to decide today whether she goes to Cheltenham but if you don’t have the entry you can’t run and I felt she earned her entry after Market Rasen on Sunday.

We could have done with a stronger pace, which she is almost certain to get at Cheltenham, on Sunday at Market Rasen but she still managed to win. I think her form is very good as Allavina who she beat over hurdles first time out won at Taunton on Tuesday. She ran well on her previous visit to Cheltenham in a Listed bumper. It rained all afternoon and she didn’t disgrace herself in the conditions. We will definitely have a close look at the race but it’s too early to say if we will go.

“The race had been on the back of the mind but you rarely get a horse good enough for Cheltenham. We were going to try and get her qualified for the Grade Two mares’ novice at Newbury but she would need another run to qualify and that is over two miles five and I don’t think she needs that yet. We’ve always liked her and she comes from a fantastic family that I’ve done well with in the past.”

Wadham has also made an entry for Potters Hedger, in the Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle.

She concluded: “He is qualified for the final but I’m not sure if he will get in as I imagine he would be near the bottom of the weights. I know that the owners would like to run him there so we will definitely keep an eye on it.

“He got a bit stuck in the ground at Haydock on Saturday as it was very holding, whereas the time before it when he won there it was wet, soft ground. He ran well at Lingfield first time out and lots of winners have come out of that race. He went to Sandown afterwards but I don’t think he likes it there as in those three mile races they have to come up the hill twice and it was quite attritional. He doesn’t need the ground bottomless as he won his maiden on good ground at Huntingdon so he is versatile in that regard.”

Parnell Properties Dawn Run Mares' Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2) Thursday 18th March
Aggy With It (IRE) 7 Andy & Sharon Measham Dan Skelton
Allavina (IRE) 6 Mr C. Boultbee-Brooks Olly Murphy
Castra Vetera (IRE) 6 Gigginstown House Stud Joseph Patrick O'Brien
Delvino (IRE) 6 Mrs P J Conway Dermot Anthony McLoughlin
Gauloise (FR) 5 Mr K. Alexander W. P. Mullins
Glens of Antrim (IRE) 6 Mr John P. McManus W. P. Mullins
Global Equity (IRE) 6 Annus Mirabilis Syndicate Joseph Patrick O'Brien
Gran Luna (FR) 5 Surrey Racing (GL) Nicky Henderson
Her Indoors (IRE) 4 McNeill Family & Niall Farrell Alan King
Heure de Gloire (FR) 4 Mr D. Pipe David Pipe
Hook Up (FR) 5 Mrs S. Ricci W. P. Mullins
Humble Glory (IRE) 6 Mrs Caren Walsh Gordon Elliott
Jaunty Freyja (GB) 6 Mr Brian Eckley Brian Eckley
Lady Breffni (IRE) 7 Mr Mark Dobbin W. P. Mullins
Lunar Display (IRE) 5 Annus Mirabilis Syndicate Joseph Patrick O'Brien
Magic Daze (IRE) 5 Robcour Henry de Bromhead
Manitopark Aa (FR) 5 Mr Simon Munir/Mr Isaac Souede W. P. Mullins
Martello Sky (GB) 5 The Sky Partnership Lucy Wadham
Mighty Blue (FR) 5 Capel Street Syndicate Joseph Patrick O'Brien
Perfect Myth (GB) 7 Mr R. J. Vines Neil King
Pont Aval (FR) 8 Mr Nigel King W. P. Mullins
Rayna's World (IRE) 6 Ace Bloodstock & Rayna Fitzgerald Philip Kirby
Razzle Dazzle Love (IRE) 7 Mr Albert James Allen T. Gibney
Riviere d'Etel (FR) 4 Noel Moran/Mrs Valerie Moran Gordon Elliott
Roseys Hollow (IRE) 7 Mr John P. McManus Jonathan Sweeney
Royal Kahala (IRE) 6 Winning Ways Starlet Syndicate Peter Fahey
Santa Rossa (IRE) 7 Mrs P J Conway Dermot Anthony McLoughlin
Skyace (IRE) 6 Birdinthehand Syndicate John Joseph Hanlon
Telmesomethinggirl (IRE) 6 Mr K. Alexander Henry de Bromhead
The Glancing Queen (IRE) 7 Dingwall, Farrell, Hornsey & Murray Alan King
The West Awaits (IRE) 6 Mrs John Magnier W. P. Mullins
Who What When (GB) 6 Gallaghers Murty McGrath
Will Victory (FR) 5 David's Partnership Charlie Mann

[dennisg]

Ronan McNally faces a race against time to get Dreal Deal back in the best possible shape before the Cheltenham Festival.

The six-year-old booked his ticket for the opening contest of the meeting, the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, with an astonishing last-to-first victory in the Moscow Flyer at Punchestown.

McNally’s small string have been hit by aspergillosis, a reaction caused by a form of mould, and he is pinning his hopes on a warmer spell of weather sparking a change in fortunes.

“The horses just aren’t firing at the moment, which is a bit of a disaster coming up to Cheltenham,” said McNally.

“They were wrong earlier in the season, we had them flying all winter and now we’ve hit a bit of a lull again which is a blow – but that’s life.

“From the week before Christmas my horses haven’t been quite right, we’ve been battling hard, getting tests done, and we aren’t out of it yet.

“The Trigger ran on Sunday and he ran OK, but I thought he’d run a bit better. We’re just having a real battle.

“I don’t think it’s the weather, I think it’s the forage we’ve been getting. When you are a small operator it’s hard to get good forage all the time, because the big boys buy it all up. I’ve found the biggest problem in racing is getting good hay and good haylage consistently.

“It only takes a bad batch to knock a horse’s respiratory system. At least we know why – in the past we might have just said we were out of form. The tests are just not coming back as good as we’d like and it’s not ideal.”

Should Dreal Deal not make Cheltenham, McNally would hope to run at one of the other big spring meetings.

“You just can’t go to Cheltenham if you are not 100 per cent, you couldn’t go at 70 or 80 per cent. There’s three weeks, though, and a lot can change in three weeks with horses, we haven’t given up,” he said.

“If he doesn’t go, there’s Aintree and Punchestown and he has options on the Flat. If he’s not 100 per cent he won’t go.

“There’s three weeks left, a lot can happen. We’re due some nice weather for the next week or so and I might just put him in the field for a few days, it’s how we got over it last year. We’ve nothing to lose.”

[dennisg]

Salty Boy is popular with both Sky Bet and Paddy Power for the Vertem Eider Chase today. We have all the market movers.

Sky Bet:
Kempton

13:50 Tamaroc Du Mathan evens from 6/5

14:25 Casa Loupi 9/2 from 5/1

15:00 Cape Gentleman 5/2 from 7/2

15:35 Southfield Stone 9/1 from 11/1 and The Butcher Said 17/2 from 11/1

Lingfield

14:40 Felix 2/1 from 11/4

Newcastle

15:15 Salty Boy 4/1 from 13/2 and Crossley Tender 11/2 from 9/1

Fairyhouse

13:10 – Teahupooc 4/7 from 8/11

13:45 – Sixshooter 7/2 from 9/2

14:52 – Burrows Saint 13/8 from 7/4

Paddy Power
Kempton

150 Tamaroc Du Mathan 5-6 fav from Evens fav

225 Soldier On Parade 22 from 25

3pm Atholl Street 7-4 fav from 15-8 fav

335 Al Dancer 13-2 fav from 7 co fav

Lingfield

205 Lord Riddiford 4 from 5

240 Johnny Drama 13-2 from 7

Newcastle

315 Salty Boy 7-2 fav from 4 fav