Nicholls pays tribute to Business
Paul Nicholls has hailed See More Business "the horse of a lifetime" after the brilliant chaser passed away at the age of 24.
See More Business became the multiple champion trainer's first Cheltenham Gold Cup winner when triumphing in 1999 and he also won the King George VI Chase at Kempton twice and successive renewals of the Charlie Hall at Wetherby.
He spent most of his career in the ownership of Nicholls' landlord Paul Barber and close friend John Keighley and in all won 18 times from 36 starts under Rules, picking up over £700,000 in win and place prize-money before his retirement in 2003.
"He had a great record having won 18 races under Rules and a couple of point-to-points. He was a fantastic horse. The horse of a lifetime," Nicholls told At The Races.
"He was the first Gold Cup winner I had and he won the King George for me in 1997, which was one of the first big winners I had.
"He was the foundation of our training career really and the set-up here in Ditcheat. He was just what you wanted when you started.
"He was tough and genuine. He won all those big races and gave everything. Once he had the blinkers on he jumped well and he was really what jumps racing is all about.
"He's been with Emma Barber (since his retirement), Paul Barber's daughter-in-law, and she's looked after him famously. Paul said last night he'd seen him every day for the last 15 years, so Paul's had a lot of pleasure from him.
"He's had a wonderful home the last 11 years. It's a pity he's passed on, but he died peacefully, which is the main thing.
"He'll be buried up on top of Ditcheat hill with See More Indians and Artifice, who were good horses that Mr Barber owned, and he'll be looking down on the gallop every day and making sure everything is going on properly."
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Remote on comeback trail
Forgotten horse Remote is being lined up for a potential comeback in the Juddmonte International at York on August 20.
The Dansili colt struck at Newbury and Doncaster in the early part of his three-year-old season but has not been seen since completing a hat-trick in the Tercentenary Stakes at Royal Ascot in June of last year.
While he has been sitting on the sidelines, his half-brother Kingman has clinched Group One prizes in the Irish 2,000 Guineas and Ascot's St James's Palace Stakes.
Remote could make his first appearance at the top level in a race sponsored by his owner, Khalid Abdullah.
Abdullah's racing manager Teddy Grimthorpe said: "He has one or two minor little things that have held him up, but he's coming on steadily and we're looking towards York.
"He could go to the Juddmonte as his first run of the year."
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Reason aiming to deliver in Dash
Paul Midgley's prolific sprinter Line Of Reason aims to continue his sensational run of form as he returns to York for the fiercely competitive Skybet Dash.
The four-year-old failed to make an impact on his first couple of starts this year, but the arrival of summer has seen him raise his game significantly.
Since snapping a losing run dating back over a year at Thirsk in the middle of June, Line Of Reason has plundered a valuable handicap at the Curragh and completed a hat-trick back over five furlongs on the Knavesmire two weeks ago.
With the spell of warm weather showing no sign of ending, Midgley's speedster is likely to encounter his favoured fast conditions again this weekend and the Westow handler is anticipating another bold show.
Midgley said: "We're looking forward to running him again. He seems in really good form. The form of his win at York a fortnight ago has worked out well and he looks to have a decent draw (stall 13). All the fancied horses are drawn around him.
"He's been excellent this year already, to be honest, so he doesn't owe us anything, but anything else he can pick up will be gratefully received.
"If you'd asked me last backend I would have been surprised with what he's achieved so far this year, but he did an exceptional piece of work with Monsieur Joe before he won at York's May meeting, so I was hopeful then he'd have a good year. The great thing about him is he's a horse with a high cruising speed and he's got gears when he needs them."
The only Irish-trained runner in the 20-strong field is David Marnane's Zalty, who was narrowly touched off by Line Of Reason in last month's Scurry at the Curragh.
Marnane said: "He's in good nick and we were delighted with how he ran the last day from a poor draw. I'm not sure his draw on Saturday (stall two) is a whole lot better. I'm not sure but I think most of the pace is higher, but we'll give it a go and see what happens.
"I think he's come on a good bit for his last run - obviously he'll need to. It's a typically competitive English sprint handicap, but hopefully he has a chance and it would be great to win for his owner, Saeed Al Tayer, who is the chairman of Meydan."
The Mick Easterby-trained Hoof It won this race three years ago before going on to clinch the Stewards' Cup at Glorious Goodwood. Now a seven-year-old, the gelding does not appear the force of old judged on his recent run in the Wokingham at Royal Ascot, but connections are hopeful he can bounce back.
David Easterby, the trainer's son and assistant, said: "Hoof It wasn't quite right after Ascot and he has needed all the time between then and now for us to get him right. He seems fine now and we're hoping it will be a nice prep run for Goodwood, as it was three years ago.
"We also run Ancient Cross, who has been a great servant. He's had a bit of time off since his last run and it's nice to get him out again."
Kimberella is a fascinating contender for sprint king Dandy Nicholls. The four-year-old has won twice since switching yards this season, most recently bolting up at Chester, and the trainer's son and jockey Adrian Nicholls is confident about his chances this weekend.
He said: "It took us a while to get to know him and I think we ran him back a bit quick there earlier in the season and he disappointed. I was delighted with him at Chester and even though it's a much more competitive race on Saturday, I think if he reproduces that run he'll run a massive race.
"He travels strongly in his races, so a track like York will suit him perfectly. He's a horse I've thought had a big handicap in him since we got him and I definitely wouldn't swap him for anything else in the race."
Foxtrot Romeo is feasibly handicapped on his form of a couple of years ago and has hinted at a revival with placed efforts at York and Newcastle the last twice.
Marco Botti has trained the five-year-old since the start of this season and said: "I'm not saying he's back to his career best, he was second in an Irish Guineas, but his last two runs have been encouraging.
"We discussed it with the owner and we started him this year over a mile. He has shown plenty of speed so we decided to bring him back in trip and we will now try him over six furlongs and see how he goes.
"Even last time he showed plenty of speed over seven and travelled well, so it's not impossible as he's getting older and stronger that he has more speed than we initially thought."
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Secret chasing York success
Trainer Ralph Beckett is hopeful high-class filly Secret Gesture can finally enjoy her day in the sun as she aims to secure a first victory at Pattern level in the Skybet York Stakes.
Since finding only stable companion Talent too strong in last year's Investec Oaks at Epsom, Secret Gesture has been placed in the German Oaks and the Yorkshire Oaks at Group One level.
She made an encouraging return to action when runner-up behind Ambivalent in the Middleton Stakes over this weekend's course and distance and having gained a confidence-boosting win in lesser company at Nottingham last month, she steps back up in class for the Group Two feature on the Knavesmire.
Beckett said: "Secret Gesture is in good shape and the trip, track and ground should all suit. We decided to go for the York Stakes instead of the Nassau because at Goodwood it's likely she would be taking on the fillies that have already beaten her.
"Saturday's race is a Group Two and she has been getting beaten up at Group One level all of her life. There's no Farraaj in there and although it's full of nice horses, they are Group Two horses. I'm looking forward to running."
In two previous visits to York, the Luca Cumani-trained Danadana has posted an impressive victory and a narrow defeat. T he five-year-old was last seen finishing third in Chester's Huxley Stakes in testing conditions and the form has been well advertised since by both the winner Noble Mission and the runner-up Telescope.
"Danadana is in good form. He hasn't run for a while but hopefully he is in good enough shape. He likes York and he likes fast ground, so hopefully he'll run a good race," said Cumani.
Godolphin launch a formidable three-pronged attack on the mile-and-a-quarter contest, with Saeed bin Suroor-trained duo Windhoek and Sharestan joined by Charlie Appleby's Long John.
Sharestan made a winning start to his season in Sandown's Brigadier Gerard Stakes, but was unable to make an impact when stepped up to a mile and a half in the Hardwicke at Royal Ascot, finishing fifth behind Telescope.
Windhoek arrives on the back of an impressive victory in Sandown's Gala Stakes, while Long John was third in Ascot's Summer Mile a fortnight ago on his British debut.
Long John won last year's Caulfield Guineas when trained in Australia by Peter Snowden and won the UAE 2000 Guineas for Appleby earlier this year.
The trainer said: "We were delighted with Long John's first run back. He has definitely improved for the run and we are really looking forward to running him at York on Saturday. We are stepping up to 10 furlongs but on the evidence of his Ascot run, this should suit.
"He has tried the trip a couple of times in the past, in the Cox Plate when the jockey (Kerrin McEvoy) said he didn't handle the track, and in the UAE Derby when he tried to come from off the pace on a night when the track was riding very slow and suiting those which raced up with the pace.
"I think a flat 10 furlongs on perfect going will be ideal for him. He is a talented horse and goes there in good form. We are hoping for a good run from him."
One place behind Long John in fourth at Ascot was Producer, trained by Richard Hannon. The handler told his website: "He has a bit to find with Long John on that last run, but he had previously got in the money in the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot so, hopefully, he will again be in at the finish."
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Bill seeks International acclaim
George Baker is praying for that all-important piece of luck as Belgian Bill goes in search of a second major handicap success at Ascot.
The Manton trainer's stable stalwart gave him an unforgettable first triumph at the Royal meeting in the Hunt Cup last year, but things did not go his way when he went for a repeat last month.
Yet despite being denied a clear run, Belgian Bill was only beaten four lengths in seventh place behind Field Of Dream. Heartened by that effort, Baker believes he has plenty going for him in the Longines International Stakes.
Proven on fast ground, the six-year-old has a favoured stands side draw in stall 29 and will be ridden by the in-form Ryan Moore.
"Belgian Bill didn't have much luck at Royal Ascot. Let's hope we get a bit of payback. We're drawn high, so we know which side we're coming up. Let's hope the traffic lights work in our favour," said Baker.
"We've got a man aboard who's on the top of his game and a horse who showed in the Hunt Cup the fire is still very much in the belly. We go there with him in good form and full of hope.
"Everyone will say the same thing, you need a lot of luck in these handicaps. We didn't get it the other day. Maybe it's our turn. That would be lovely."
Hunt Cup hero Field Of Dream will be opposition, with his trainer Jamie Osborne optimistic of another big run.
"Clearly he's going to need a career-best to win, but who is to say he's not capable of that. Who knows if he'd have won the Hunt Cup with another 6lb? I don't know, he might have done," said the Lambourn handler.
"With him it is not really a case of weights and measures, although it is to some degree otherwise the handicaps would be pointless, but what I mean is there are other factors that tend to affect him more, like the ground, the pace of the race and where he is drawn.
"He needs a strong pace to run at, he needs to get the splits at the right times and a lot of luck. The bits I am in control of I couldn't be happier with."
Horsted Keynes looked a shade unlucky when second to Louis The Pious in the Buckingham Palace Handicap over the course and distance at the Royal fixture and has been a major fancy for this race from the start.
"Hopefully he goes there with a big chance. He's in good shape and the ground should suit him well. At the Royal meeting he was drawn high and ran very well. He's drawn in stall 25 on Saturday, so hopefully that will prove a good draw," said trainer Roger Varian.
Gabriel's Lad had Belgian Bill back in third place when lifting the Victoria Cup over this seven furlongs in May but floundered on rain-hit ground in the Criterion Stakes at Newmarket. While his trainer Denis Coakley feels Gabriel's Lad is not well handicapped, that could be outweighed by his liking of the track.
"He's maybe not got a great draw (eight). We'll just see where the pace is. He didn't like the ground at Newmarket, he couldn't get a grip on it and didn't have a hard race. He was never going. It was horrible ground. We had so much rain in an hour and a half and the top came off the ground and he couldn't handle it," Coakley told At The Races.
"He has 8lb more than when he won, so it's going to be hard. He's in good order. There wasn't anywhere else to go and he likes Ascot. We'll have to go there."
Dont Bother Me was putting in his best work at the finish when seventh to Baccarat in the Wokingham over six furlongs at the Royal meeting. His trainer Marco Botti is convinced the extra furlong will play to his charge's strengths, and any rain would be a bonus.
"He's in good form, but I hope we do have a few showers. He's an older horse and I don't want to run him on very fast ground. It's not that he doesn't handle good ground, but any showers would help," said Botti.
"He's in great form and seven furlongs could be his trip. I think we will take a chance, but if we got a couple of showers it could be good."
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Estimate given Goodwood entry
Estimate, who has been at the centre of a morphine controversy that has shocked racing this week, is among 15 entries for the Artemis Goodwood Cup on Thursday.
The mare, who is owned by The Queen, won the Gold Cup at Ascot last year and finished a close second when attempting a follow-up last month.
Trainer Sir Michael Stoute is still allowed to make entries for the five-year-old despite her failing a subsequent drugs test, which is believed to be down to contaminated feed, after that last run.
As expected, last year's winner Brown Panther features after connections decided not to take the Tom Dascombe-trained six-year-old to Ascot for the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
Ahzeemah, runner-up last year, is in the mix again, while owners Godolphin and trainer Saeed bin Suroor also have Princess Of Wales's Stakes victor Cavalryman and Excellent Result as possibles for the two-mile Group Two event.
Owner Marwan Koukash can choose from his Chester Cup winner Suegioo and Northumberland Plate scorer Angel Gabrial, while Talent, who took last year's Investec Oaks, has been given an entry.
Aidan O'Brien's Eye Of The Storm is the only Irish-trained horse in the list as Missunited, who was just behind Estimate in third place in the Gold Cup, is a surprise omission.
Michael Winters' versatile mare is set to run in the Group Three Sterling Insurance Lillie Langtry Stakes on the same card instead.
Winters said: " I wouldn't mind seeing a bit of rain in Goodwood to take the sting out of the ground, but she goes on good ground perfectly well."
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Euro chasing dollar signs
With one trip to the USA thwarted by travel difficulties Euro Charline should be crossing the Atlantic next month after a tenacious victory from the front in the Woodcote Stud EBF Stallions Valiant Stakes at Ascot.
Marco Botti's filly, who is owned by the American-based Team Valor syndicate, has been earning her corn in Britain and finished fifth in the 1000 Guineas before staying on for third in the Coronation Stakes at the Royal meeting.
This mile Listed event looked a suitable spot for the even-money favourite, who dictated under Andrea Atzeni and looked under threat from Kiyoshi at the furlong marker before quickening away again and establishing a length-and-a-half gap.
Botti said: "We weren't sure about the pace, so we decided to keep it simple and let her bowl along.
"To be honest, this was plan B as we were looking to go to Saratoga for a Grade Two, but the owner wasn't happy with the shipping so we stayed here. I'll have to speak to the owner, but it's possible she could to Arlington for the Beverly D. She won't mind another furlong."
The Grade One Beverly D Stakes has been won by British raiders I'm A Dreamer and Dank for the last two years and could also be the plan for Kiyoshi's stablemate Just The Judge.
Trainer Charlie Hills said: "Just The Judge could go to America. I'm pleased with Kiyoshi. She travelled really nicely and it was a better run. She could go for the Sceptre Stakes at Doncaster and hopefully stay in training next season."
Hills bagged himself a winner in the next race when Forgotten Hero (6-1) put in a powerful finish in the John Guest Handicap, and the handler went on: " He ran nicely first time out and seemed a bit more settled. We might look at the Cambridgeshire."
Maid In Rio has a more imminent engagement, booking her place for next week's Goodwood Stakes when taking the John Guest Brown Jack Stakes by nine lengths.
A typically improving Mark Johnston stayer, the Captain Rio filly was taking her recent record to five wins from her last six starts. A fter bolting up from the front at Newmarket a week ago, it was the same again for the 5-2 favourite with Silvestre de Sousa easing up long before she crossed the line.
Twelve months ago, Broxbourne landed both events for the stable and Johnston said: "We were originally worried she wouldn't get in at Goodwood, she's right down the bottom of the weights, but there aren't too many runners in the two-mile-five race and she gets a penalty. She's done really well when stepped up in trip."
Malabar was back at Ascot in rather different circumstances to open her account in the John Guest EBF Stallions Maiden Fillies' Stakes. The last time Mick Channon's juvenile had been at the Berkshire track, she had finished a terrific fourth in the Albany Stakes.
Sent off the 8-15 favourite under Willy Twiston-Davies, Malabar was ridden confidently but had to see off a strong challenge from Mistrusting before pulling a length and three-quarters away.
Channon said: "I was tempted to run her at Sandown yesterday (in the Listed Star Stakes), but this looked a good race for her. She should have won first time at Haydock and I really wanted to get a win into her. She's in the Moyglare at the Curragh, then there's Goodwood (Prestige Stakes). She has lots of options."
Bronze Maquette (3-1) and Jimmy Fortune edged out Anastazia by a neck in the Mitie Total Security Management Nursery, while an exciting finish to the Vartan Ravenscroft October Club Charity Handicap saw Robert Cowell's Iffranesia (13-2) see off Secret Missile.
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Pique Sous out for season
Royal Ascot hero Pique Sous has been ruled out of next week's Galway Hurdle and for the rest of the season.
The Willie Mullins-trained grey claimed the Queen Alexandra Stakes last month and was a hot favourite to make a winning return over jumps at the Ballybrit circuit next week before a likely tilt at the Ebor at York.
However, all plans are now on hold for the talented dual-purpose performer, according to owners Supreme Horse Racing.
Supreme's racing manager Steve Massey said: "He was lame this morning. They've had him scanned and they couldn't find anything, so they think he's suffered a stress fracture.
"It's quite a common injury, but unfortunately it means he's going to need six weeks' box rest and that will rule him out for the rest of the season.
"It's devastating news with the Galway Hurdle less than a week away, and we thought he'd have a cracking chance in the Ebor next month as well.
"I'm gutted for all his owners who were getting excited and had made plans, but that's the ups and downs of racing.
"We've had a great run of things of late and we had a great day at Royal Ascot with Pique Sous that nobody can take away from us.
"We nearly lost him last year when he suffered colic and the great news is this is not life-threatening. All being well, he should be back as good as new next season. He's still a relatively young horse with very low mileage on the clock."
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Tag team happy to have a go
Taghrooda spearheads a formidable three-pronged challenge from the John Gosden stable in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot.
The decision to run the impressive Epsom Oaks winner caught many by surprise, but owner Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum's sporting policy has to be applauded and in receipt of 15lb from Telescope, she will be no pushover.
"John Gosden said, particularly if she is going to retire at the end of the season, she's not going to have many more races, so why don't we have a go at a big one with her?" said Angus Gold, Sheikh Hamdan's racing manager.
"She's a Classic winner and it's not like a stallion we're trying to promote. We're going to be keeping her to breed from, so I think Sheikh Hamdan felt he'd like to be adventurous and have a go at a big one."
It was expected Mukhadram would be Sheikh Hamdan's main hope and, despite Taghrooda's presence, the Coral-Eclipse winner still gets the chance to step up to a mile and a half for the first time.
"Mukhadram is fine, he is in good shape. We had a little blip last week with a minor foot problem but he seems well now," said trainer William Haggas.
"I have been anxious to step him up to this distance for a while, but now the day gets closer I am not so sure. He should get his ideal conditions - a nice, warm day and fast ground, which he loves - so we will just have to see what happens."
As well as Taghrooda, Gosden has also declared two leading three-year-old colts in Eagle Top and Romsdal.
Eagle Top looked a young colt on the upgrade when winning the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot in tremendous style and was added to the field at the supplementary stage on Monday.
Connections had expressed concerns about the ground possibly being too fast, but rain on Friday afternoon has appeared to allay those fears.
Gosden said: "The rain is welcome, especially as the owners have supplemented. From our point of view we just wanted good ground, or on the good side of good to firm."
Eagle Top got the nod from stable jockey William Buick over Romsdal.
Buick told Racing UK: "H e's a very versatile horse so he doesn't have to be ridden like he was in the King Edward. He's got a great turn of foot but, to be honest, I'm not too worried about tactics."
Buick also expects Romsdal, who was third to Australia in the Investec Derby, to put up a bold show. This race is a stepping stone to the Ladbrokes St Leger at Doncaster in September.
"Romsdal had a huge run in the Derby and has done nothing wrong," said Buick.
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Telescope reaches for stars
All eyes will be on Telescope as the much-vaunted colt finally gets the chance to fulfil his destiny when he goes for Group One glory in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot.
Ardent supporters would have expected him to have had the opportunity earlier, preferably in last year's Derby, but trainer Sir Michael Stoute is renowned for his patient approach and has been firmly focused on ensuring the horse reaches his full potential.
T he son of Galileo took a giant stride to repaying his connections' faith when running away with the Group Two Hardwicke Stakes at the Royal meeting and s ights have been firmly set on the King George since then.
Harry Herbert, racing manager to owners Highclere, said: " Given the size and pedigree of him, there was every chance he would be reaching his peak about now. It is what Sir Michael excels at and Telescope ticks a lot of those boxes.
"Last year it got everyone rattled and annoyed. He became a talking horse. The Hardwicke was the first time since the Voltigeur that we've seen him on decent ground, and could use that stride that we know he's got."
A mile and a half and fast ground should be ideal conditions for the Aidan O'Brien-trained Magician, whose career-best performance to date arguably came in the Breeders' Cup Turf at Santa Anita in November.
"He's in good form and the ground should be lovely. I'm looking forward to seeing him run," said O'Brien.
The other Irish handler represented is Jim Bolger, who saddles last year's Irish Derby hero Trading Leather and the rank outsider Leitir Mor.
Trading Leather chased home Novellist in this race 12 months ago and only found Mukhadram too good in the Eclipse three weeks ago. Bolger is unfazed by the prospect of reverting to a mile and a half.
He told
"Trading Leather came out of the Eclipse very well and has been training well since then.
"Racing over a mile and a quarter and a mile and a half is all the same to him and I am happy enough about returning to a mile and a half. He does need fast ground and it looks like he will get it at Ascot."
Noble Mission: Off to Germany