Horse Racing News Etc.

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Paul Nicholls hopes dual Grade One hero Frodon can sign his season off on a winning note by taking advantage of a drop in grade and distance at Sandown next month.

The 11-times champion jumps trainer intends to run the nine-year-old in the extended two-and-three-quarter-mile Grade Two contest, which he captured in 2019 with the now-retired Black Corton.

Frodon enjoyed a spectacular success earlier this season when helping Bryony Frost to become the first female jockey to win the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day. The duo first enjoyed Grade One glory in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham in 2019.

On his most recent appearance Frodon finished fifth when upped to an extended three and a quarter miles for the first time in the WellChild Cheltenham Gold Cup on March 19.

Nicholls said: “Frodon is going to go to Sandown on the final day of the season for the Oaksey Chase. He ran a tidy race in the Gold Cup - he just ran out of petrol over the trip but the race didn’t really suit his style of running.

“The Ryanair trip over two and a half is too sharp for him now and his owner (Paul Vogt) was keen to have a go at the Gold Cup. The track at Sandown should suit him and the two and three quarter mile trip will be perfect for him.

“He has already had a good season and hopefully he can sign off with another win."

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Silver Quartz heads a two-pronged French assault on the Bombardier All-Weather Mile Championships at Lingfield Park on Good Friday, April 2.

Runners from France have an excellent strike-rate on All-Weather Championships Finals Day, with five winners from 18 runners including a memorable three-timer in 2018.

Having started his career in Britain with Hugo Palmer and then Archie Watson, Silver Quartz has built up a good record on the All-Weather in France since moving to Francis-Henri Graffard in 2019.

Silver Quartz is two from two so far this year, most recently posting a cosy three-quarter length success in the mile Prix Montjeu at Chantilly on March 2.

Graffard, who confirmed that Hollie Doyle will take the ride, said: “I am very happy with Silver Quartz – I think he heads to Lingfield in very good form.

“It looks an obvious race to go for because he likes the Polytrack and the mile is a good distance for him.

“He won at Deauville at the beginning of January and then I did not have a lot of options, which is why I kept him fresh for the race at Chantilly.

“That was another nice performance from him – and I think the confidence of the horse at the moment is very high.”

Hollie Doyle and Canagat win at Newcastle
Hollie Doyle and Canagat win at Newcastle
Canagat finished third behind classy duo Wally and Kenway when attempting to make all on his first start for trainer Georgios Alimpinisis in the Listed Prix Saonois, a Fast-Track Qualifier, at Cagnes-sur-Mer in February.

The four-year-old, who won three times on the All-Weather for Archie Watson, could not repeat the same level of form next time out when sixth in a seven-furlong conditions race at Chantilly on March 9.

Owner Nurlan Bizakov’s stud manager Tony Fry said: “We were a little disappointed with Canagat last time.

“The way the race panned out didn’t suit as it turned into a sit and sprint, but he has come out of it well.

“His form behind Wally looks pretty good and a reproduction of that should see him run well.

“It is nice to be involved on days like this and Luke Morris is booked to ride, so fingers crossed.”

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Harry Skelton is favourite with the bookmakers to claim his maiden jockeys’ title after remaining just three winners behind defending champion Brian Hughes thanks to his double at Warwick.

While Hughes was adding two winners to his tally up at Newcastle, Skelton did likewise at his local track for his brother Dan’s Warwickshire stable on King D’argent and Stylish Dancer.

Dan Skelton nonetheless pointed out that Hughes is still in front – albeit by only 129 to 126, as the title race approaches its final month – and the champion has several of the best yards in the north to call on.

He said: “Harry is looking at it as such a thrill, because he’s always wanted to be the champion jockey, and nothing would give me greater pleasure than getting him over the line.

“Harry has gone favourite with the bookies, but Brian has the lead – and if it all stops tomorrow he has won.

“We need good competition, and the two Harrys and Brian are giving us that in a classic ‘North’ (Brian) versus ‘Middle England’ (Harry) and the ‘South’ (Harry Cobden) battle that looks like it could go down to the wire.

“But we also need to remember that challenging is the first part of the equation – and the second is winning.

“You can’t do the second without embracing the first- but Brian has the initiative, and it’s going to be tight.”

Dan Skelton hopes fences will continue to prove the making of Stylish Dancer after the 5-4 favourite’s near eight-length victory in the Watch On Racing TV Mares’ Novices’ Handicap Chase.

“She’s very good at her fences and sets herself right,” he said.

“She just managed to scrape home in a handicap hurdle, but was weak and has become stronger.

“I won’t press the button too soon with her, and I’m looking at a valuable three-and-a-quarter-mile mares’ chase at Cheltenham next month.”

After King d’Argent’s eight-and-a-half-length win from Benatar as the 11-8 favourite in the Bet At racingtv.com Handicap Chase, Skelton added: “I’m gobsmacked at how much he’s improved over a fence.

“It just shows you how those juveniles can get lost in the wilderness for a year, but now he’s a credit to himself.

“He’s back better than ever, and it’s 50/50 whether we go for a Listed handicap at Ayr.”

Looking forward to some of his yard’s big names heading for valuable targets this spring, the Alcester handler said: “We’ll have a full team for Aintree – including novice chasers Shan Blue and Protectorate, novice hurdlers Third Time Lucki and My Drogo and Blaklion in the National.

“Nube Negra will head for the Celebration Chase at Sandown, while Allmankind might stretch out in trip in a novice chase at Ayr.”

Rest of Warwick review
Java Point armed Kim Bailey with a good omen for Aintree by posting a stylish first success under rules in the Join Racing TV Now Maiden Hurdle at Warwick.

Bailey has a team of around half-a-dozen heading to Merseyside next week, with the possibility of exciting hurdler Ajero among them – although his target is yet to be confirmed.

Java Point endorsed the well-being of his trainer’s team as – in the colours also carried by Singlefarmpayment to victory on Sunday at Ascot – the 5-4 favourite kept on too strongly for market rival Known to score by a length and three-quarters under Jonathan Burke.

Bailey said: “We’ve been waiting for the better ground all winter with this horse – he’s an embryonic chaser.

“He was very fresh at Newbury when Nico de Boinville thought we were running over the wrong trip.

“But we knew that, and the form has worked out – and now we have options, one of which is to run him at the start of next season in a novice chase in May.”

Talking about his contenders for the Grand National meeting, Bailey added: “Espoir De Romay, Happygolucky, Two For Gold, Vinndication and possibly Ajero will go there.

“Ajero could go instead for the Scottish Champion Hurdle – off a mark of 140 his handicap days might not quite be over, let’s see.”

Burke, who is on the 40 winner mark for the season and has bettered his previous best by two, said: “He jumps well and is a straightforward, honest horse with the attributes to become a very good staying chaser.

“It’s good to have surpassed my previous best number, and I’d love to get to 50 by the end of the season.”

Champagne City gave owner Roger Brookhouse and trainer Tom George a third winner in less than a week when springing a 20-1 surprise under Ciaran Gethings in the Happy 21st Birthday Tia Harrison Handicap Hurdle.

The previously out-of-form winner took advantage of the fall of Givepeaceachance two out to come home four lengths clear of Clemento.

Gethings said: “He’s a bit of a monkey, but one with a lot of natural ability. He benefited from being dropped back on nicer ground.”

The Every Race Live On Racing TV Novices’ Handicap Hurdle went to Pour Une Raison, who reacted positively to the fitting of a visor for trainer Nick Mitchell and jockey Tom Bellamy.

“There’s been a transformation with the visor,” said Bellamy.

“He travelled and didn’t hit a flat spot. He didn’t miss a beat in the jumping department, and was super.”

Caid Du Berlais completed what was effectively a lap of honour in the Air Wedding Open Hunters’ Chase.

The 1-8 chance led throughout under Will Biddick to come home 44 lengths clear of Bishops Road.

Black Poppy, trained by Kerry Lee, provided a 25-1 upset in division one of the racingtv.com Maiden Open National Hunt Flat Race, resisting Party Business by a length-and-a-half – with the odds-on Blairgowrie only third.

Winning jockey Brendan Powell said: “I tracked the favourite and was always travelling well. I think he wouldn’t want either very soft or quick ground, and has a bit of filling out to do.”

There was another minor upset in the second division too when Sidewaysinmilan (11-1) ran on too strongly for 2-1 favourite Mexican Boy – for the Rosemary Gasson and Ben Poste trainer-jockey combination.

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A video posted online which shows rising star Benoit de la Sayette in the presence of cocaine has been described as “malicious” by the Professional Jockeys Association.

The short clip appeared on an account “purporting” to belong to the rider, who won the Lincoln on board John and Thady Gosden’s Haqeeqy on Saturday – his first ever ride on turf.

While a statement from the PJA confirmed it was De la Sayette in the video, it was allegedly recorded in 2019 when he was just 16, and he strenuously denied ever taking drugs.

The statement read: “A film has been tweeted from an account purporting to be Benoit de la Sayette’s. The film was apparently first circulated in the aftermath of Benoit’s victory aboard Haqeeqy in the Unibet Lincoln at Doncaster on Saturday.

“For the avoidance of doubt, this account is not Benoit’s nor is it under his control. This carefully edited film maliciously suggests that Benoit was taking cocaine after winning the aforementioned race.

“Benoit lives with his parents and was driven to and from Doncaster on Saturday by his father along with another jockey, and spent the evening at home with his parents. He was also riding at Doncaster on Sunday and once again driven there and back by his father.

“The film is actually from October 2019, when he was 16, nine months prior to Benoit being licensed. He was at a party in Lambourn and filmed being in the presence of cocaine that others, not him, were taking. He did not and does not take cocaine.

“Whoever is responsible for the distribution of this film is clearly intent on trying to cause significant damage to a young man at the start of his career. The PJA is taking steps to try and have the account that posted the video removed.”

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Allmankind is set to head to Ayr for the Jordan Electrics Ltd Future Champion Novices’ Chase over two and a half miles.

Dan Skelton has decided to step the five-year-old up in trip, following his first defeat over fences in the Arkle at Cheltenham.

Hassled for the lead throughout by Captain Guinness, his effort had petered out by the home straight as Shishkin breezed to an impressive win.

“I think we got put in our place quite unanimously by Shishkin, so I’m going to try him up in trip actually,” Skelton told Racing TV.

“I think we might even go to Ayr, over two and a half, and it gives him a little longer (to get over Cheltenham). He did put everything into that race. We’re not afraid to run him. He’s only a novice once, and that is why we’ll get him out once more.”

Skelton endured a frustrating Cheltenham Festival, with several horses placed and none getting closer than Nube Negra in the Champion Chase.

Put The Kettle On holds Nube Negra at bay
Put The Kettle On holds Nube Negra at bay
“Nube Negra will go for the Celebration Chase at Sandown,” said the Warwickshire trainer. "At the moment that is where he’s going, touch wood.”

Another to claim the silver medal at Prestbury Park was stablemate Langer Dan in the Martin Pipe, just five days after he had won the Imperial Cup, but Skelton feels he may have faced a stiff task in any case against the winner Galopin Des Champs.

“Langer Dan won’t run again (this season). He ran only five days later, and you’ve got to congratulate him on a good end of his season,” said Skelton.

“He bumped into one. I think we’ll be seeing that one in some Grade Ones – he looks very good.”

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The Starting Price Regulatory Commission has announced that the starting price will be determined using mainly off-course odds in future.

A move away from the traditional system had been considered for a number of years before it was forced upon the industry by Coronavirus, which meant racing has taken place almost exclusively behind closed doors and without on-course bookmakers since June 1.

Statistics show that the share of betting taken on-course had dropped to 1.4 per cent in the year end of March 2020 – and as mechanisms to form an SP based solely off-course have been in place since racing’s resumption, the case for using off-course prices is stronger than ever.

When bookmakers return to the track the on-course element is expected to make up around 10-12.5 per cent of the overall sample, which will require a new algorithm to make it compatible with the current off-course market.

This work will be carried out by PA, and it is expected to take around three months, which should coincide with the return to the track of punters and bookmakers – it is hoped.

Lord Donoghue, chairman of the SPRC, said: “The SPRC has considered this change long and hard.

“We are now confident that the modernised SP system better reflects the market as a whole. Punters can continue to have total confidence in the SP.”

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Katie Walsh expects Any Second Now to give a good account of himself in next week's Randox Grand National for her father Ted, who is aiming to add to his victory in 2000 with Papillon.

The nine year old has some top form on his CV, winning the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Handicap Chase at the 2019 Cheltenham Festival, and has taken a slightly unorthodox route to Aintree, warming up with a clear cut victory in a Grade Two contest over two miles at Navan last month.

While not the traditional preparation for the four and a quarter mile race, Katie believes Any Second Now’s speed could stand him in good stead at a crucial point in the race.

She said: “Dad isn’t afraid to run his horses over a shorter trip to sharpen them up. The question then becomes whether they’ll stay, and I definitely think that as the National has changed, you do need to be able to travel easy within yourself for the first mile and a half.

“I think the way it’s gone in the past 10 years or so you definitely need to travel early over the first mile and a half and not too many horses come out of the pack any more. You’d like to think that he’d be able to travel early.”

Papillon and a young Ruby Walsh win the National
Papillon and a young Ruby Walsh win the National
Katie’s brother Ruby, who rode Papillon to victory for his father at the turn of the millennium, added that the changing style of the race ought to suit Any Second Now, who has impressed him with his speed.

He said: “He’s a lot quicker horse than I thought he was. He was good at Navan on his last start and dad does like to drop them back in trip before they go to wherever their intended target would be.

“I think the reason the National has changed a bit is not the fences, it’s the fact that there are no loose horses in the National anymore. Aintree have taken those out with the safety measures, but without loose horses on the front end of the field, there is no reason for anyone to slow down.

“When you had six or more loose ones at the front of the pack, you had to second guess the loose ones and so everyone slows down, and that’s the difference. I can see why Cloth Cap is favourite for that reason, watching him at Newbury and Kelso, his style of racing is what will suit. He will probably be hard to beat but Any Second Now is in great nick.”

Who would Ruby Walsh ride in the Randox Grand National?
Asked who he would choose, given the field of 40 to pick from, Ruby added: “I’d ride Any Second Now. I still think my greatest day in racing was riding the Grand National winner for my dad, and if I had a chance to repeat that, that’s the reason I’d be riding him.”

Ruby still has a strong association with the Willie Mullins yard and provided an update on the well-fancied Burrows Saint, who he feels will be suited by better ground if the rain stays away.

He said: “He was a good winner of the Irish National as a novice in 2019 and then went to France to run in the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris. He raced a bit keenly in Auteuil and then he was aimed at the Grand National.

“Obviously Covid came and 2020 didn’t exist, but that’s where he’s been aimed again. He’s had three runs this season and ran better at Fairyhouse in the Bobbyjo Chase than his previous two runs and he’s going the right way. He’s definitely a better horse on better ground.”

Rachel Blackmore poses with the Ruby Walsh Trophy during day four of the Cheltenham Festival
Rachel Blackmore poses with the Ruby Walsh Trophy during day four of the Cheltenham Festival
Rachael Blackmore’s stunning success at The Festival™ supporting WellChild has put female riders in the spotlight more than ever before, which is something Katie Walsh is delighted by.

And she revealed that she would have no qualms with a female rider beating her effort to finish third on Seabass in the 2012 Grand National – which remains the best effort in the race to date from a female jockey.

She said: “That wouldn’t even cross my mind to be honest with you. I’ve never thought of myself as someone who’s finished the best place in the National and personally I’d love to see Rachael win it.

“Rachael was phenomenal at Cheltenham and it was great TV. She was brilliant – take male or female out of it – she was absolutely super and I suppose the picture has changed really quickly.

“I was on Seabass in 2012 and people didn’t really believe it could happen, but now it feels as though it’s a matter of when (a female jockey will ride the Grand National winner).

“It’s a great day for whoever wins it and it’s a great race to be involved in, so may the best man win – male or female.”

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Tiger Roll heads 60 horses still in contention for the BoyleSports Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse.

With connections deciding against bidding for an historic third victory in the Randox Grand National at Aintree on Saturday week, Tiger Roll is set to run in either the Irish equivalent on Monday or Aintree’s Betway Bowl three days later.

Eddie O’Leary, racing manager for owners Gigginstown House Stud, said following Wednesday’s forfeit stage for the Irish Grand National: “No decision has been made on where Tiger Roll will run yet.

“It will either be the Irish National or the Bowl.”

The hugely popular 11-year-old proved he is no back number with a brilliant display in the Glenfarclas Chase on his latest outing – his third victory in the cross-country event, and a remarkable fifth Cheltenham Festival success overall.

If he does line up at Fairyhouse, however, he will have to concede lumps of weight all round.

Gigginstown have a total of 14 possible runners, with O’Leary adding: “Run Wild Fred and Coko Beach would look the main ones.”

Paul Nolan’s stable star Latest Exhibition is also among the confirmations, but still has the option of running in the Underwriting Exchange Gold Cup at Fairyhouse 24 hours earlier.

Champion trainer Willie Mullins, who finally broke his Irish Grand National duck with Burrows Saint when the race was last run in 2019, has six remaining contenders – including new recruit Agusta Gold.

Other leading hopes include Joseph O’Brien’s Sempo, Peter Fahey’s The Big Dog and Escaria Ten – who is trained by Denise Foster as are Tiger Roll, Run Wild Fred and Coko Beach.

The 400,000 euro contest is supported by three Grade Two events on a quality card.

Noel Meade’s Jeff Kidder, winner of the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham, is one of 10 contenders for the Rathbarry And Glenview Studs Juvenile Hurdle – with the unbeaten Teahupoo among his potential rivals.

The Underwriting Exchange Hurdle appears an intriguing affair – with Abacadabras, Beacon Edge and Petit Mouchoir among those in contention.

The third and final Grade Two of the afternoon is the Devenish Chase, for which O’Brien’s Fakir D’oudairies sets the standard.

The JP McManus-owned six-year-old has finished second in three of his four starts this season – most recently chasing home the hugely impressive Allaho in Cheltenham’s Ryanair Chase.

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Aintree turned on the taps on Wednesday as preparations continue for next week’s Randox Grand National meeting.

After several days of warm weather, clerk of the course Sulekha Varma opted to water both the National and Mildmay courses as the forecast continues to be for dry weather in the immediate future.

She said: “We are watering today – we have put six millimetres on the Grand National course and 10mm on the Mildmay, with the Mildmay good, good to soft in places and the National course good to soft, good in places.

“We’ve had a couple of warm, dry days already this week – and it is forecast to be dry up until Sunday, with only a few showers around.

“We’ll obviously keep watching the forecast, but the aim would be for good to soft ground on the National course and the slow side of good on the Mildmay.

“It has been unseasonably warm this week, but then the forecast is for it to be unseasonably cold by Monday – it is Britain in spring after all.”

First National for new Clerk
Varma was appointed as Aintree’s clerk of the course in December 2019 and had been due to command her first Grand National meeting last spring, before the Covid-19 pandemic forced its cancellation.

She is no stranger to the meeting, though, having worked as part of the team at previous Nationals – and hailed the work of the track’s team.

“Had last year gone ahead, this would have been my 11th National as part of the team, so some of it is very familiar,” she added.

“It is very different to be making the decisions and taking the lead rather turning up the day before and being told what to do. We have a fantastic team here, and they are just doing what they do best.

“It’s great to be racing this year, and hopefully it can give everyone a bit of a boost to see a top-class sporting event.”

Coronavirus remains a factor in the challenge of horses from outside Britain, but the Aintree team has set up facilities at nearby Haydock Park to house the raiding party.

Both tracks are owned by Jockey Club Racecourses, and protocols established for the Cheltenham Festival will again be in place.

Varma added: “We’re very lucky to have Haydock Park just 20 to 30 minutes away, which is set up and ready to host horses. There’s a hotel about a mile away from the track, so we have taken that over – and that will be the Irish bubble.

“Like at Cheltenham, everyone will be tested before travelling over and going home, there will be separate facilities for British and Irish riders at Aintree – and there won’t be any chance to mix. It’s just about putting the right protocols in place and keeping everyone safe on both sides.”

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All eyes will be on Bangkok and Forest Of Dean as they clash for a third time this season in the feature Betway Easter Classic at Lingfield on All-Weather Championships Finals Day.

On their most recent encounter in the Listed Betway Winter Derby Trial at Lingfield on February 6, Bangkok quickened best to beat Felix by a half-length with a neck back to Forest Of Dean in third.

Bangkok skipped the Group Three Betway Winter Derby three weeks later in favour of a tilt at the Saudi Cup, leaving Forest Of Dean to reverse the placings with Felix and provide trainer John Gosden with a third consecutive victory in the 10-furlong highlight.

Bangkok (Andrew Balding/Silvestre de Sousa), who is the course record holder over 10 furlongs at Lingfield, is the 6/5 favourite with Betway. Forest Of Dean (James Doyle) is next in at 7/4.

Trainers Ed Walker and Brian Meehan are hoping to cause upsets with Assimilation (Luke Morris) and Palavecino (Martin Dwyer) respectively.

Assimilation captured the Lincoln Trial Handicap at Wolverhampton last season and has progressed again this winter, latterly powering home to land a 10-furlong class two handicap at Kempton on March 3.

Walker said: “Assimilation is in cracking form. Whatever he lacks in ability, he makes up for in heart and determination.

“Six months ago, if you said to me that he would have a chance on Finals Day, I would have laughed at you. He just continues to surprise us with his progress through the ranks.

"He seems to be thriving and Luke Morris knows him inside out. He probably won’t be good enough but who knows? He always surprises us and is versatile tactically, which could be an asset in a race like this."

Palavecino has run two good races over the course and distance this season. The five-year-old was last seen out when fourth behind Sangarius in a strong edition of the Listed Betway Quebec Stakes in mid-December, a race in which Bangkok was second.

Meehan said: “Palavecino had a break over Christmas as he’d had a busy enough time of it up until then.

"It just seemed a good moment to give him some time off and he has come back really well. We have had an eye on the Easter Classic the whole time and his preparation has gone very smoothly.

"He is fresh, he is improving, and I would see him in there with a very solid chance.”

Mark Johnston won the most recent running of the Betway Easter Classic with Matterhorn in 2019. The Middleham trainer is represented by Sky Defender, a Group Three runner-up on turf who turns out quickly after finishing behind Global Giant in the Listed Magnolia Stakes at Kempton last weekend.

Lightly raced four-year-old Byford (Ivan Furtado/Jason Hart), a snug winner of a 10-furlong handicap at Lingfield on his penultimate start, completes the field.