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Post by Kimmy on Feb 21, 2018 7:03:06 GMT
Kevin Morley UPDATED 8:10PM, FEB 20 2018 13/2 Sego Success 3:20 Doncaster 3/1 Stop The World 4:30 Doncaster 16/1 Blue Whisper 6:15 Kempton (AW) 4/1 Native Fighter 6:45 Kempton (AW) Sego Success 3.20 Doncaster
Sego Success is best suited by a left-handed galloping track with some cut in the ground and conditions look ideal for him to gain an overdue success.
His last win was back in 2015 but it came over this course and distance on a similar surface off a mark of 139.
Now down to 134, he is handicapped to strike and, while he has been unable to get the better of younger, progressive rivals this term, Alan King's ten-year-old is now at an age where he qualifies for veterans' chases like this.
He won't bump into any lightly-raced types and may find this a bit easier than last time out at Ludlow when he finished a good third.
Stop The World 4.30 Doncaster
The three previous winners in this bumper don’t look anything out of the ordinary so this looks a good opening for Stop The World to make a successful debut under rules.
Tom George's five-year-old comes here with one Irish point-to-point start just under a year ago to his name and that has since been shown to be strong form as the winner, Brewin'Upastorm, was an easy winner on his bumper debut and then finished a decent fourth in a traditionally strong Newbury Listed bumper.
Further boosts to that point-to-point form include the third, sixth and seventh all winning on their next start between the flags, as did another who was pulled up.
It's also worth noting that his half-brother Up For Review was a bumper winner on his debut and went on land a Grade 2 over hurdles.
Blue Whisper 6.15 Kempton
Blue Whisper deserved more credit for a satisfactory debut over course and distance last September and may prove value at the second attempt.
Following a slow start, James Eustace's three-year-old was never able to land a blow but the subsequent exploits of those who finished in front of him suggest the form is stronger than it first appeared.
The race went to Symbolization, a promising sort entered in the Irish 2,000 Guineas, while the second, third, fourth and fifth scored next time out, all awarded higher RPRs in the process.
Blue Whisper's performance can be upgraded in light of that evidence and, if he has improved for the run, he may well be able to come out on top.
Native Fighter 6.45 Kempton
Native Fighter has gone close in both starts since joining Simon Dow on his arrival from Germany and the four-year-old can make it third time lucky.
A winner of two of his ten starts in Germany, Native Fighter finished third on his British debut over 1m2f at Lingfield last month when just outpaced by some speedier types in the closing stages.
He appreciated stepping back up to 1m4f when a nose second at the same venue next time and would have prevailed in another stride. There may well be a bit more to come from him and this track may well bring it out with its long straight.
Get the best bets for every day's racing from Wednesday to Sunday in this week's Racing Post Weekender - out every Wednesday
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Post by Kimmy on Feb 21, 2018 7:04:28 GMT
Doncaster
Robin Goodfellow
1.40 Dynamite Dollars
2.15 Air Navigator
2.50 Buckle Street
3.20 Killala Quay
3.55 Pacha Du Polder
4.30 Before Midnight
5.00 Skidoosh
Gimcrack
1.40 French Crusader
2.15 Air Navigator
2.50 Wicked Spice
3.20 Fox Appeal
3.55 Pacha Du Polder
4.30 Before Midnight
5.00 Smith’s Bay
Newcastle
Robin Goodfellow
2.05 Native Appeal
2.40 Henpecked
3.10 Qaffaal
3.45 Corinthia Knight
4.20 Casey Jones
4.50 Mutarakez
5.25 Athollblair Boy (nap)
Gimcrack
2.05 Native Appeal
2.40 Eyes On Asha
3.10 Heaven ’s Guest (nap)
3.45 Corinthia Knight (nb)
4.20 Lovely Approach
4.50 International Law
5.25 Al Khan
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Post by Kimmy on Feb 21, 2018 7:04:52 GMT
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Post by Kimmy on Feb 21, 2018 7:05:16 GMT
Ludlow
Robin Goodfellow
1.50 Lord Napier
2.25 Town Parks
3.00 Otter Moon (nb)
3.30 Federici
4.05 The Devils Drop
4.40 Vocaliser
5.10 War Creation
Gimcrack
1.50 Awake At Midnight
2.25 Town Parks
3.00 Royal Irish Hussar
3.30 Horatio Hornblower
4.05 Cereal Killer
4.40 Vocaliser
5.10 War Creation
Kempton
Robin Goodfellow
5.45 Aye Aye Skipper
6.15 Tribal Warrior
6.45 Luv U Whatever
7.15 Watersmeet
7.45 Al Hamdany
8.15 Karijini
Gimcrack
5.45 Aye Aye Skipper
6.15 Duba Plains
6.45 Native Fighter
7.15 Watersmeet
7.45 Al Hamdany
8.15 Karijini
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Post by dennisg on Feb 21, 2018 8:47:16 GMT
in today's sporting life................. In this week's 'Weights & Measures' blog, Ben Linfoot rounds up the adjusted official ratings following Ascot, Haydock and more. Waiting Patiently climbs to the top Waiting Patiently >>>> Up 6lb to 170 Cue Card >>>> Remains on 166 Frodon >>>> Down 2lb to 162 Top Notch >>>> Down 2lb to 162 Waiting Patiently oozed class in a proper Grade One at Ascot on Saturday and his performance was arguably the best of the season so far, in Britain at least. Up 6lb to an official BHA rating of 170 following an identical performance figure, only Bristol De Mai’s Betfair Chase romp has been rated higher this campaign. That was considered a performance good enough to raise his rating to 173 at the time, but subsequent events have seen him drop 8lb to 165 leaving Waiting Patiently the only horse in Britain to be rated in the 170s due to a performance from the current season. A trio of Nicky Henderson-trained runners have gone close with Altior’s recent Newbury performance figure at 169, the same as Might Bite’s King George and 2lb ahead of Whisper’s 167 gained following a gallant weight-carrying performance when runner-up in the Ladbrokes Trophy. But there he is, Waiting Patiently, at the top of the charts, a product of the late Malcolm Jefferson’s skill and patience. He’s come through the ranks, been tenderly brought along and has yet to sight Cheltenham, or Aintree for that matter. It is refreshing that the Cheltenham Festival is not the be all and end all for connections, but it would be a shame, in my opinion, if the current best horse in the country is not at the sport’s showpiece event. You wouldn’t think it’s the track at Cheltenham that is the concern, not for a horse that has cut his teeth around the undulations of Sedgefield and Carlisle. It’s more likely to be the anticipated better ground, even though he glided over Kempton’s good to soft in a graduation chase in the middle of January. That puts a potential season finale in the Melling Chase in doubt, too, but hopefully we will see him again this campaign. On this evidence he’d have a favourite’s chance in the Ryanair and he could be sent off at prohibitive odds for a Melling were he to pitch up at Liverpool having avoided a battle at Cheltenham. Long term Ruth Jefferson has cited the King George as his main target for next season, a race that should tick his ground and flat track boxes. He’s yet to tackle three miles, but on Saturday’s evidence, where he handled a fiercely-run 2m5f with aplomb, you wouldn’t think it would bother him. Having said that, he travels so well I’d still think he’d cope with a soft-ground two miles at the highest level. He just looks very good, as you would have to be to beat a back-to-form Cue Card. Colin Tizzard’s 12-year-old tried to utilise his proven stamina for further on Saturday and it worked to some degree, with all bar Waiting Patiently comfortably beaten off, horses like Top Notch and Frodon who were in-form horses at their optimum trip beaten in behind. So, there’s life in old Cue Card yet, a 166 performance figure a great testament to his ability and endurance, especially on the back of a couple of disappointing runs. He’s gone into the Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup in better form than this, though, twice before, and failed to cut the mustard. It has to be rated doubtful he can raise the roof at his final Festival, but what a story it would be for a horse that has given so much to the game for the last eight years. Top 10 Horses in Britain 2017-18 Waiting Patiently 170 Altior 170 Might Bite 169 Fox Norton 168 Un De Sceaux 167 Definitly Red 167 Whisper 167 Cue Card 166 Native River 166 Double Shuffle 166 View image on Twitter View image on Twitter Sporting Life ✔ @sportinglife 🙌 It's six out of six over fences for Waiting Patiently as he wins the Ascot Chase for Ruth Jefferson! 👏 The first five of those six were for her late father, Malcolm 3:44 PM - Feb 17, 2018 15 See Sporting Life's other Tweets Twitter Ads info and privacy Corton enhances RSA claims Black Corton >>>> Remains on 155 Black Corton’s astonishing season continued in the Sodexo Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase at Ascot on Saturday and he could easily have gone up a few pounds rather than remaining on 155. Ms Parfois is an in-form mare that ran right up to her best and she looks fully deserving of her 146 rating after this, with the 140-rated and previously 144-rated Mount Mews four lengths behind in third. So for Black Corton to give her 7lb and beat her eight lengths pretty easily was impressive, especially considering Paul Nicholls reported him to have had two weeks’ box rest in the lead up to Ascot without doing a great deal of work. Already a massive player in the RSA Chase, it was no surprise to see him half in price again after this. With more experience over fences than most of his likely RSA rivals put together – and with Cheltenham old course experience in the bag as well – he’s by far the strongest British challenger. The way his Kauto Star Novices’ Chase form has been working out, with Elegant Escape and Ballyoptic winning since, it’s clear he’s developed into one of the best novice chasers on either side of the Irish Sea. If he comes on from this, as Nicholls more than hinted he would, Presenting Percy will have to be everything his connections hope he is to see him off in the RSA. It’s shaping up to be a cracking race. Encore warms up for National test Regal Encore >>>> Up 4lb to 154 The Randox Health Grand National weights were unveiled last week and with two months to go until the big race the Horses-Advertising-That-They-Are-Well-In-For-The-Aintree-Spectacular season has begun. Last year’s eighth, Regal Encore, is first up and the Ladbrokes Trophy third confirmed he is in the form of his life with an impressive enough success over Minella Daddy, the second time that particular straight forecast has come in over three miles at Ascot. When he was eighth in the National last year he crept into things from off the pace, but perhaps he will be ridden more positively this time around now he’s got track experience under his belt. He’ll go there in better form than last year, 4lb well-in at the weights, and looks fairly priced at 33/1 and above with that in mind. There will be stronger form than this small-field Ascot win going into the National, though, and plenty of horses even better in at the weights following their exploits in the coming weeks. I look forward to those emerging as we head into Cheltenham and beyond. Sporting Life ✔ @sportinglife 🏇 The Grand National Trial is won by the only horse in the field who doesn't have an entry in the big one at Aintree 🥇 Yala Enki 🥈 Blaklion 🥉 Mysteree 3:30 PM - Feb 17, 2018 2 See Sporting Life's other Tweets Twitter Ads info and privacy Chef serves up a further Santini form boost Yala Enki >>>> Up 6lb to 152 Blaklion >>>> Remains on 161 Chef Des Obeaux >>>> Up 5lb to 150 The Betfred Grand National Trial Handicap Chase may yet house the hero of the main event, even as unlikely as that sounds when the 54-length winner was the only horse in the race without an entry for Aintree. Yala Enki excelled over the sternest test of stamina he’d ever faced and has gone up 6lb for his troubles with runner-up Blaklion, still Grand National favourite with some firms, left alone on 161 despite being well beaten in second. This was a far from ideal preparation for Aintree, even with two months to get ready for the race, and his travails under a big weight in a small field here could well be an indication of the size of the task he faces in Liverpool. Conditions will in all likelihood be very different there and he loves the unique fences, but winning a National off 161 looks an extremely tough assignment for this horse. He’s much better than this, however, and will probably prove as much at Aintree in April, even if that’s with a gallant display in defeat. Later on the Albert Bartlett trial was won by Nicky Henderson’s Chef Des Obeaux, a horse that looked all stamina as he prevailed in the testing conditions. Up 5lb to 150, he’s bang in the Albert Bartlett picture following three victories in a row, but he also keeps on boosting the Newbury form of stablemate Santini, a horse that beat him over four lengths on December 1. Jockey bookings for the pair will be fascinating should both line up in a race Henderson last won with subsequent RSA Chaseand Gold Cup hero Bobs Worth back in 2011. Elgin was a 10/1 winner in Sunday's Pick 7 game Elgin: Keeps on improving and is now rated 161 Elgin up 11lb after Kingwell victory Elgin >>>> Up 11lb to 161 Given we don’t know which Faugheen will turn up in the Champion Hurdle it’s looking a pretty weak division behind Buveur d’Air, so when a Kingwell Hurdle winner bolts up by over two lengths giving weight away to two rivals rated in the 150s we have to sit up and take notice. The rise of Elgin seems to have taken Alan King by surprise, so much so he isn’t even entered in the Champion Hurdle. But at Wincanton on Saturday King intimated he would be supplemented and with the handicapper raising him 11lb to 161 you would think he has forced his hand. If you ignore his Ascot run on December 23 Elgin looks really progressive and he has improved with each run this season. With a Greatwood Hurdle under his belt he has some course form to his name, and, though he’ll have to improve again just to place in a Champion Hurdle, he is only six and could well find more. Hike Of The Week Vision Des Flos >>>> Up 12lb to 147 Colin Tizzard is back and his yard are heading into Cheltenham in much better shape than last year, even if it doesn’t really feel like that given the high-profile disappointments from some of his star names. The absence of Thistlecrack is an obvious blow while Finian’s Oscar’s blowout in the Cleeve Hurdle didn’t help matters from a big gun point of view, either, but away from the limelight Tizzard’s numbers have a very healthy look about them. Heading into March last year Tizzard had had 43 winners for the season, but this time around he’s on 55 with Vision Des Flos helping the statistic with his recent win at Exeter. A wind operation and a first-time tongue-tie brought about serious improvement in this €270,000 purchase as he sauntered clear for a 31-length success over Nick Williams’ Mercenaire last week. Up 12lb to 147, in a normal year he’d be a massive player in the Ballymore and he still might be, but the looming presence of Samcro will dwarf everyone and everything in the build-up to that race. Still, better ground and the step back up in trip are unlikely to trouble this son of Balko and he has at least been confirmed as on track for the race unlike so many of those above him in the betting. With Samcro likely to scare plenty off, Vision Des Flos at 25s and 33s doesn’t look the worst each-way bet in the world if trying to steal a bit of place money against a Cheltenham hotpot is your sort of thing. Colin Tizzard Colin Tizzard: Trains Vision Des Flos and Bally Longford Three down five to monitor... Cliffs Of Dover >>>> Down 5lb to 140 Bally Longford >>>> Down 5lb to 126 Templeross >>>> Down 5lb to 122 Finally, three to keep an eye on as they slide down the rankings… Down 5lb to 140… Cliffs Of Dover, who tore off like a scalded cat in the Kingwell on his first start for 14 months. He was never going to get home after that and was inevitably pulled up in the end, but the handicapper lets him into a 0-140 now and he’ll be interesting off his new mark considering the best of his form from the start of last season. Down 5lb to 126… Bally Longford, another that was pulled up – this time at Sandown on Friday. He’d prefer better conditions, though, and he’s now dropped to a mark 10lb lower than when Colin Tizzard got his hands on him. He’s handicapped to win a prize in the spring and isn’t worth giving up on just yet. Down 5lb to 122… Templeross, for Nigel Twiston-Davies. The first-time-visor failed to perk him up as he finished a 22-length ninth at Ascot, but he’s been dropped to a really competitive mark now. Three starts ago he was rated 131 and was pulled up behind Sam Spinner and he’s been kept to relatively hot company all season. A drop in class awaits him from his new rating and that could well be the deciding factor that sees him bounce back to some sort of form.
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Post by dennisg on Feb 21, 2018 8:49:24 GMT
Nicky Henderson has an incredibly strong team assembled for the 2018 Cheltenham Festival and he guides us through his main contenders including Buveur D'Air, Altior and Might Bite. * All Sky Bet prices non-runner/no bet and Best Odds Guaranteed Buveur D'Air () I would like to work him at Kempton on Saturday, during racing, just to get him psyched up. He could be one of four runners for us at Cheltenham in the Unibet Champion Hurdle alongside My Tent Or Yours, Charli Parcs, and they are still keen to run Verdana Blue. Buveur D’Air worked on Saturday and today (Tuesday) and as I say I’d like to take him to Kempton, weather permitting. I wouldn’t have minded him having a slightly harder race at Sandown last time, I just wish he’d been stretched a little more. It’s great to see them win like that but he didn’t have to do too much and is a stuffy horse who needs plenty of work. That's why I want the racecourse gallop. His great asset is his jumping, he's so quick it's frightening. It's precision stuff. He'll jump five hurdles before we go to the Champion Hurdle but we certainly won't be teaching him anything new. I think he’s still improving, he's getting stronger. When he was third to Altior in the Sky Bet Supreme we knew he was a good horse and we went chasing last season, something he might do again but only after he shows he can’t win more Champion Hurdles. We could have switched Altior back (to hurdles) last season but I was pleased with how it went for the two horses, we got it the right way round and they've stayed on their own routes. View image on Twitter View image on Twitter Sporting Life ✔ @sportinglife 🥇🥈Last year's Champion Hurdle one-two Buveur D'Air and My Tent Or Yours. Anyone keen on a repeat result in three weeks' time? 11:25 AM - Feb 20, 2018 5 See Sporting Life's other Tweets Twitter Ads info and privacy Altior () He was very, very good at Newbury and has done nothing serious since. He had a couple of strong canters on Tuesday and won't need to go off for a racecourse gallop. Nico (de Boinville) gave him a great ride on his return. Sam Twiston-Davies and Politologue gave us a lovely lead. We didn’t know what was going to happen. One minute we thought they’d go very quick and make it a test – then next they wouldn’t make the running at all. I loved the way our horse dropped the bridle on ground that was plenty soft enough and was very sensible the whole way round. He raced sweetly, jumped beautifully and you couldn't write a better script. I'm not worried about the bounce factor with him. He hadn’t been off that long, he'd been in training and done all his pre-season work. It was only when we went to gallop him that the issue surfaced. He had the core fitness. I wasn’t sure about running at Newbury at first but when I weighed him two or three days before the race he was remarkably close to his normal racing weight. Had he been 30kg away I’d have been worried silly but he was only six or seven. It told me he wasn’t desperately unfit. Sporting Life ✔ @sportinglife 🎧 Nicky Henderson (@sevenbarrows) talks to @halo_straight about his Cheltenham Festival team - including; 🏇🏻 Buveur D'Air 🏇🏻Altior 🏇🏻Might Bitehttps://soundcloud.com/sportinglife/nicky-henderson-4?utm_source=soundcloud&utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=twitter … 2:41 PM - Feb 20, 2018 4 See Sporting Life's other Tweets Twitter Ads info and privacy Might Bite () All's well and let's hope it'll be alright on the night for Bite. I'd like to take him to a racecourse before Cheltenham. I’d like to take him to Kempton whether it be on the grass or the all-weather. He has two more bits of work to do but is in very good form – he worked this morning and went great. His work has been excellent – he’s a better horse at home this year than he was last – that’s not saying he’s going to be better on the racecourse. I know everyone wants to know what will happen should he jump the last in front – after last year’s RSA Chase. This is a horse with a high cruising speed. In the King George we knew Bristol De Mai would make it and it was only a question of when Nico would ask him the question. It came earlier than I expected but it didn’t take long to say goodbye to Bristol. Might Bite is more mature and looks more professional this season and as I say is working very well. We’re keeping him happy and the key is understanding these horses. We don't know if he’s going to stay three-and-a-quarter miles because he’s never run over it – but in the RSA he jumped the last in front, came to a complete stand-still – and then going again. That suggests he’s going to stay pretty well. This is a different track, a stiffer track, but I just assume he’ll stay. I see no reason why he won’t. It’s not that much further and he’s a year older and a year stronger. The better the ground, the better he’ll be. View image on Twitter View image on Twitter Sporting Life ✔ @sportinglife 😬 Cheltenham Gold Cup favourite Might Bite Can he silence the doubters who say he won’t stay the trip?#CheltenhamFestival 12:58 PM - Feb 20, 2018 2 See Sporting Life's other Tweets Twitter Ads info and privacy My Tent Or Yours () My Tent is on old legs now but has been an absolute star and had his day in the sun in the International earlier in the season. He’s been second in three Champion Hurdles and earned plenty of prize money. I love him to bits. Verdana Blue () On good ground you never know with her. She’s no good when it’s very soft and I probably shouldn’t have run her in the Betfair Hurdle. Her form on the track might not be up to Grade One standard but her work at home is. She travelled like the best horse in the race at Newbury and probably was, although Charli was also going very well to two out. The owners remain keen to go down the Champion Hurdle route. Charli Parcs () Everyone knows how much I think of Charli and he ran well in the Gerry Feilden first time up this season. I just think he's a genuine good ground horse. He might actually be used as a lead horse for Buveur D'Air in their gallop at Kempton but I don't expect that to be the case in a Champion Hurdle. He will have options come the Festival. Top Notch () He just a little bit flat to me at Ascot, but he's absolutely fine afterwards and he looks well. He'll definitely run in the Ryanair Chase. Apple's Shakira () I'm pretty sure Apple's Shakira will run in the Triumph Hurdle but I don't know for certain. We'll have to see what happens, I can't make any promises right now. She probably doesn't know there's another racecourse in the country! She'll be happy though as she's been around Cheltenham three times. She does nothing at home, she looks useless in the morning. My only hope was that she was one of those and I did enquire as to what Apple's Jade was like and when they said she doesn't do a tap at home I just said 'thank you very much' and put the phone down. That's all I needed to hear. The last time Barry jumped the second last and left her some work to do and she did it well. The further they went the better she looked and I'd love to see her on good ground. We Have A Dream () He's definitely running in the Triumph so hopefully we've two quite nice chances for that. I'd love to see him on decent ground too. He went to Musselburgh and he won but it was a last minute decision to run there. I said, look, Haydock could be bottomless, so let's go to Musselburgh. I haven't prepared him well at all and he blew up. That's why he looked a bit messy before he picked up again and did it well. He's a lot better than that. You could do anything tactically, he's very straightforward. I don't know how good they are compared to our previous winners but I couldn't tell you they're a brilliant bunch of juveniles all told. Brain Power () He's had his wind operated on but it was only a very minor procedure, certainly compared to Altior's. Nothing's gone right for him really over fences, it was a bit of a disaster at Sandown as we didn't want to make the running, then we went to Ascot. I didn't think he would go and beat Un De Sceaux but I hoped for a really good gallop. Everything was going great until he turned out of Swinley Bottom and he just choked. He's a very talented horse. It's a hot Arkle and they're going to go a good gallop. Plenty have looked good but Brain Power wasn't far off the best of them over hurdles and believe it or not he's a very good jumper of fences. He's quite fragile, he was racing far too soon in the Champion Hurdle last year and you just need to drop him in and go to sleep. Paul Carberry would have been brilliant for him. Claimantakinforgan () He's really the only one we've got for the Sky Bet Supreme. He was beaten last time but we all know Musselburgh. It was a bit messy. He's a good horse and before then he'd done just about everything right, and I've seen that happen at Musselburgh before. I'm not worried about that effort really and nor was Nico. He jumps well, he's very slick. We got beat, but it was part of his prep and it didn't come off on the day. It had rained all day Saturday and they'd raced on it then too. As it happened it wasn't very nice ground at all. He has a lot of pace and he was fourth in the Champion Bumper last year. He's a lot better than he showed at Musselburgh, I'm certain of that. He's still in the mix. On The Blind Side () A depends how good this crow horse (Samcro) is... I watched his last victory and I'm not sure what he was beating but he did look quite impressive. He's done nothing wrong at all. He was getting sore shins and it looked to everyone that he wanted three miles but I think he was feeling his shins at Cheltenham. And coming downhill wasn't nice for him. He's just a big baby and he hasn't got sore shins now I can tell you. He needs a gallop but he's done very well in the past few weeks. View image on Twitter View image on Twitter Sporting Life ✔ @sportinglife 🐎The giant On The Blind Side is yet to taste defeat… Could he be the one to trouble Samcro in the Ballymore?#CheltenhamFestival 1:00 PM - Feb 20, 2018 6 See Sporting Life's other Tweets Twitter Ads info and privacy OK Corral () He's entered in the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle along with On The Blind Side and he was impressive the other day at Kempton. Santini () I know straight after Cheltenham we were a little uncertain whether or not we'd run him in the Albert Bartlett but we've discussed it with the owners and we've decided let's go. So that's the plan. He's in tremendous form, he's fresh and mad so he is going to go. He'd love a bit of good ground. Chef Des Obeaux () He was really impressive at Haydock the other day and he might really come into it in the Albert Bartlett if it's soft ground. He handles it extremely well so with him and Santini we look to have a good twin-pronged attack. L'Ami Serge () It'll be the Stayers' Hurdle for him, that's been his maiden target ever since he won the French Champion Hurdle last year. He was second in the Long Walk, then we switched him. We just figured he was 7lb or so lower over fences so we put him in the Sky Bet Chase and with a clear run he probably would have won. But he just didn't get a great sail up the straight. He has to go left-handed. Thomas Campbell () He is entered in the Stayers' but he's also going to be in the Pertemps Final and I admit that he's just at the moment a level below Grade One. So he'll probably run in the handicap. Kayf Grace () She is a really nice mare and we fancied her last season for the novice race. It didn't happen for her in the Betfair Hurdle last month but she's hugely talented and we could look to step her up to two and a half miles in something like the Coral Cup. Better ground would definitely help her. Dame De Compagnie () I was quite pleased with her the other day, she travelled like the best horse for a very long way. Countister () Like Dame De Compagnie she's a bit better than she's shown so far and I like both of them. They could both run in the Trull House Mares' Novices' Hurdle. Diese Des Bieffes () I think I've got 12 horses entered in the Martin Pipe and only 24 can run so theoretically I could have half the field! That won't happen but this fella could be one of my main ones for the race. He'll get in the race at least. O O Seven () He will run over three miles in the Ultima Handicap Chase. He'll go three miles, I want see whether he does properly stay as I want to know whether to run him in the Topham again or the Grand National. The better the ground the better. I thought he ran a very good race that day and he's a very good jumper. Gold Present () He had a bruised foot and couldn't run at Ascot last weekend but he's fine and might run this Saturday. If that happened to go well then he'd miss Cheltenham and go straight for the Grand National. Terrefort () We were thinking possibly not going as he's only five but he looks pretty smart and would likely to be part of the team if it was on the soft side. We're inclined to leave him out unless it comes up soft but he's very smart.
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Post by dennisg on Feb 21, 2018 8:51:24 GMT
There will not be many more dramatic winners this season than Pookie Pekan at Wetherby on Tuesday as four horses traded at 1.01 in-running on Betfair. Stuart Coltherd's top weight looked booked for fourth at best in the Follow At Racing_UK On Twitter Handicap Hurdle as the leaders approached the final hurdle. Northern Girl had matters under control for Adam Nicol, only to dive at the last flight and come down. That left Dulce Panem facing the prospect of a big lead, but two strides after the hurdle he ploughed into the stricken Northern Girl and also came to grief. Some 10 lengths behind those two was the favourite Along Came Theo and it appeared to be a case of 'when your luck is in' for jockey Brian Hughes, fresh from his first Grade One winner at the weekend on Waiting Patiently. However, his mount tied up badly and 11/1 chance Pookie Pekan came with a wet sail under the winning trainer's son, Sam, to claim the lead three strides from the line. Sporting Life ✔ @sportinglife 😲😲😲 If you'd been offered 1,000,000/1 on Pookie Pekan with a jump to go in-running, few would have backed it! 📽 Stop scrolling and watch this remarkable race! 4:22 PM - Feb 20, 2018 29 28 people are talking about this Twitter Ads info and privacy Coltherd, who trained Captain Redbeard to win the Tommy Whittle Chase at Haydock earlier this season, said: "He's a nice young horse learning the game and coming to the last I thought it was going to be a decent performance. "Then the first one went and when the second one went, I was quite calm until then. I was stood next to the winning post and I could see the other one tying up. "Fair do's to the horse, when Sam got stuck into him he really picked up. We're still trying to learn about him and we've learned a bit today. "At least all the horses and jocks were OK, nobody got hurt and while we were fortunate winners, that's the name of the game, these things happen." He added: "Nothing like this has happened to us, it's the most bizarre race I've watched for a long time. If someone offered me a million to one I'd have said no thanks at the last! "There's enough bad luck in this game so when things like this happen you take it, it's been a struggle this year with the weather up north." The feature Racing UK In Stunning HD Handicap Chase was won in game style by Henry Oliver's Dresden (4/1). The 10-year-old has kept some tough company down the years but defied a 7lb rise for a recent win at Catterick. Kim Bailey's Rosmuc Relay landed the odds in the Bet At racinguk.com Novices' Hurdle. Sent off the 4/9 favourite, he was made to work fairly hard by Well Smitten but was well on top at the line. Massini's Lady (100/30) ended a frustrating run of seconds for Nick and Lucy Alexander in the EBF / TBA Mares' Novices' Handicap Chase, while Just Georgie (3-1) provided Sue Smith and Danny Cook with another Wetherby winner in the three-mile handicap chase.
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Post by dennisg on Feb 21, 2018 8:53:13 GMT
Ben Linfoot heads to Doncaster and the veterans' chase for the Sporting Life Nap of the Day on Wednesday. Recommended bet: Sporting Life's Daily Nap, February 21 It might be worth taking a chance on Killala Quay in the Polypipe Veterans' Handicap Chase at Doncaster on Wednesday. Charlie Longsdon has a nice touch when it comes to the old stagers, as he has shown with the likes of Pete The Feat this season, and Killala Quay is another he's had success with in the sphere, including in this very contest last year. Rated 130 when he won 12 months ago, Killala Quay comes into this off a 4lb lower mark but he's been dropped 5lb this season for some poor runs around Chepstow, Uttoxeter and Newbury. His sole effort at Doncaster was a good one, as he was only beaten five lengths in fourth off a 3lb higher mark and that was in open company against younger legs. Returned to Town Moor against the veterans, he's a very interesting contender off his new rating and could well go in at a decent price given the competitive nature of the race. Daily Nap record: -7.99pts
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Post by Kimmy on Feb 21, 2018 20:33:16 GMT
Doncaster, 21 Feb 18 Race 1 - 1:40pm THE BRITISH STALLION STUDS EBF 'NATIONAL HUNT' NOVICES' HURDLE RACE (CLASS 4) (Qualifier) BALLASALLA (IRE) wore earplugs.
Following the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that DU DESTIN (FR), unplaced, lost its left fore and right hind shoes.
Race 2 - 2:15pm THE PLANET PLATFORMS LTD NOVICES' HURDLE RACE (CLASS 4) Nathan Moscrop, the rider of FIGHTING BACK, which was pulled up, reported that his right rein had snapped during the race. The bridle and reins were inspected and as they were found to be in a serviceable condition, no further action was taken.
Following the race, Tom O’Brien reported that NOMINATION GAME (IRE), unplaced, hung right and Harry Skelton reported that QAVIY CASH, which was pulled up, stopped quickly and the Veterinary Officer reported that a post-race examination of the gelding failed to reveal any abnormalities. The Veterinary Officer also reported that SILVER HOLLOW, which was pulled up, bled from the nose.
Race 3 - 2:50pm THE ALAN WOOD PLUMBING AND HEATING LTD HANDICAP HURDLE RACE (CLASS 3) (Qualifier for the Challenger Staying Hurdle Series Final) Following the race, Ryan Day reported that WICKED SPICE (IRE), which pulled up, ran flat and the Veterinary Officer reported that WORK DU BRETEAU (FR), unplaced, lost its right hind shoe. Jonathan Burke reported that CEPORINE (FR) stumbled badly approaching the fourth last hurdle and was pulled up. Subsequently, the ground was examined by a member of the ground staff and no issues were found.
Race 4 - 3:20pm THE POLYPIPE VETERANS' HANDICAP STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 2) (Leg 2 of The Veterans' Chase Series) Ian Williams was fined £140 as the record of vaccinations in the passport of BALLYNAGOUR (IRE) did not comply with the Rules of Racing.
Following the race, Tom O’Brien reported that INDIAN CASTLE (IRE), which was pulled up, was never travelling. The Veterinary Officer reported that BALLYNAGOUR (IRE), which was also pulled up, bled from the nose.
Race 5 - 3:55pm THE 1ST SECURITY SOLUTIONS OPEN HUNTERS' STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 5) Following the race, Mr Martin McIntyre reported that HARD STATION (IRE), which was pulled up, stopped quickly as if something was amiss. The Veterinary Officer reported that a post-race examination of the gelding failed to reveal any abnormalities.
Race 6 - 4:30pm THE PEGLER YORKSHIRE STANDARD OPEN NATIONAL HUNT FLAT RACE (CLASS 5) (DIV I) Mikey Hamill, the rider of the winner, TWO FOR GOLD (IRE), was suspended for 2 days for using his whip above the permitted level from 2 furlongs out.
Entering the back straight, FINALSHOT, placed second, clipped the heels of NO GETAWAY (IRE), unplaced, causing SAMMYLOU (IRE), unplaced, to be slightly hampered, but after viewing a recording of the incident, it was found that no riding offence was involved.
Race 7 - 5:00pm THE PEGLER YORKSHIRE STANDARD OPEN NATIONAL HUNT FLAT RACE (CLASS 5) (DIV II) Following the race, Joe Colliver reported that ASK PADDINGTON (IRE), unplaced, bucked at the start and was slowly away as a result. He added that the gelding ran green. View Stewards report Newcastle, 21 Feb 18 Race 1 - 2:05pm THE 32Red ON THE APP STORE NOVICE STAKES (CLASS 5) An enquiry was held to establish why Charles Hills had not declared to the BHA until the day of the race that JETSTREAM (IRE) had undergone wind surgery since its last run. Having interviewed the trainer’s representative, who stated that Mr Hills had contacted the BHA this morning to notify them that his office had forgotten to notify the Racing Calandar Office that JETSTREAM (IRE) had undergone wind surgery, the trainer was fined £290.
Race 3 - 3:10pm THE sunbets.co.uk HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 2) An enquiry was held to consider interference approaching the final furlong when the winner, STRAIGHT RIGHT (FR), ridden by Martin Dwyer interfered with BRITTANIC (IRE), unplaced, ridden by Jamie Spencer and LONDON (FR), unplaced, ridden by Josephine Gordon. Dwyer was suspended for 3 days for careless riding as he manoeuvred right when insufficiently clear causing BRITTANIC (IRE) to be checked and continuing right causing the rider of LONDON (FR) to be short of room.
A further enquiry was held to consider interference inside the final ½ furlong when the winner, STRAIGHT RIGHT (FR), ridden by Martin Dwyer interfered with GALLIPOLI (IRE), placed second, ridden by Patrick Mathers and WHAT’S THE STORY, placed third, ridden by Callum Rodriguez. Dwyer was cautioned for careless riding as he allowed his mount to drift left taking GALLIPOLI (IRE) and in turn, WHAT’S THE STORY slightly off their intended line.
Race 5 - 4:20pm THE 32Red CASINO NOVICE STAKES (CLASS 4) (PLUS 10 RACE) Permission was given for LOVELY APPROACH to wear a hood in the Parade Ring.
Race 6 - 4:50pm THE sunbets.co.uk HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 4) ZABEEL STAR (IRE), trained by Karen McLintock was late in the Parade Ring, due to the gelding being reluctant to cross the road from the stables.
Race 7 - 5:25pm THE BET & WATCH AT sunbets.co.uk HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 5) TADAAWOL, drawn 2, anticipated the start and accelerated the gate at the same moment as the race had been started. Being satisfied that it was not caused through a faulty action of the starting stalls, no further action was taken.
Kevin Stott, the rider of AL KHAN (IRE) was slow to remove the blindfold, resulting in his horse being slow to start. After being interviewed and shown recordings of the incident, Stott's explanation that the blindfold became stuck on the bridle and took two attempts to remove it, was noted.
Inside the final furlong TADAAWOL, placed fourth, edged right as ABUSHAMAH (IRE), placed fifth, edged left causing ARCHIPELIGO, placed sixth to be eased slightly, but after viewing a recording of the incident, it was found that no riding offence was involved and that it had not improved the placing of TADAAWOL. View Stewards report Ludlow, 21 Feb 18 Race 1 - 1:50pm THE BITTERLEY POINT TO POINT 28th APRIL MAIDEN HURDLE RACE (CLASS 4) FORT JEFFERSON wore earplugs throughout the race.
Following the race, Sean Houlihan reported that LISSYCASEY (IRE), unplaced, was hampered by PEARL OF THE WEST (IRE), placed fourth, jumping left-handed in front of him at the final hurdle. The Veterinary Officer reported that the winner, LORD NAPIER (IRE), lost its right fore shoe.
Race 2 - 2:25pm THE YVONNE BURDEKIN NOVICES' STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 4) Following the race, Sean Bowen reported that COASTAL TIEP (FR), placed second, hung right-handed in the home straight.
Race 3 - 3:00pm THE ALFA AGGREGATES PRODUCTS HANDICAP HURDLE RACE (CLASS 3) On the run to the line, VOODOO DOLL (IRE), placed second, veered sharply left-handed, making contact with the winner, COMBER MILL (FR), but after viewing a recording of the incident, it was found that no riding offence was involved.
Following the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that WILDMOOR BOY, which was pulled up, had bled from the nose.
Race 4 - 3:30pm THE HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES CHALLENGE TROPHY AMATEUR RIDERS' HANDICAP STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 3) Having reviewed recordings of the false start, the Starters were satisfied that no riders should be reported for contravening the starting procedures.
Mr M. Galligan, the rider of the winner, GOOHAR (IRE), was suspended for 4 days for using his whip above the permitted level from the second last fence.
Mr L. Williams, the rider of CAPTAIN BUCK'S (FR), placed second, was suspended for 4 days for using his whip above the permitted level from the second last fence.
Mr Barry O'Neill, the rider of FEDERICI , placed third, was suspended for 2 days for using his whip without allowing his mount time to respond from approaching the final fence.
Following the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that FEDERICI, placed third, lost its left hind shoe.
Race 5 - 4:05pm THE LUDLOW POINT TO POINT 28th APRIL MAIDEN HURDLE RACE (CLASS 4) An enquiry was held into the running and riding of CEREAL KILLER (FR), ridden by Harry Cobden and trained by Paul Nicholls, which sat in rear early on and appeared to be tenderly ridden to finish sixth, beaten 22¾ lengths. The rider and the representative of the trainer were interviewed and shown recordings of the race; the Handicapper offered observations and the Veterinary Officer reported that a post-race examination of the gelding failed to reveal any abnormalities. The rider stated his instructions were to settle CEREAL KILLER (FR) in fifth or sixth early on as the gelding can race keenly but found himself further back than anticipated. He further added that the gelding jumped slowly throughout which meant the leaders got away from him leaving the back straight and when asked for an effort five hurdles out CEREAL KILLER (FR) stayed on one paced. The representative of the trainer stated that the ride accorded with the instructions given by the trainer and he was satisfied with the ride given. Their explanations were noted.
Race 6 - 4:40pm THE JENKINSONS CATERERS STEEPLE CHASE (A NOVICES' LIMITED HANDICAP) (CLASS 4) Permission was given for OVER TO MIDNIGHT to go early to post.
The winner, ADMIRAL'S SECRET, appeared to show improved form, compared with its previous run at Exeter on 21 December 2017 where the gelding was pulled up over 2 miles 3 furlongs on Soft ground. Victor Dartnall’s explanation that the gelding was suited by the better ground, which was Good to Soft, Soft in places on this occasion, and possibly appreciated the shorter trip of 2 miles was noted. ADMIRAL'S SECRET was routine tested.
Race 7 - 5:10pm THE LUDLOW RACECOURSE BOOKMAKERS HANDICAP HURDLE RACE (CLASS 4) Following the race, Tom Scudamore reported that SAMSON’S REACH, which was pulled up, made a bad mistake at the second last hurdle which caused the saddle to slip on the gelding. View Stewards report Kempton Park, 21 Feb 18 Fixture Note An enquiry was held adjourned from race 7 at Wolverhampton on 20 February 2018 into a report from the Veterinary Officer that STEAL THE SCENE (IRE), placed third, ridden by Dougie Costello, had a minor weal as a result of the rider’s use of the whip. The rider was interviewed and shown a photo of the weal as well as recordings of the incident. Costello was suspended for 7 days for using his whip in an incorrect place, causing the gelding to be wealed. Race 1 - 5:45pm THE RACING UK ALL WEATHER 'HANDS AND HEELS' SERIES APPRENTICE HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 7) (Part of the Racing Excellence Initiative) Following the race, Thore Hansen reported that PACO FILLY, unplaced, was slowly away.
Race 2 - 6:15pm THE 32Red ON THE APP STORE NOVICE STAKES (CLASS 5) Permission was given for ALLEGIANT (USA) and MY BOY SEPOY to be mounted on the chute.
Leaving the stalls CAPLA JAIPUR, unplaced, jumped left causing slight interference to CYCLADES (IRE), unplaced, but after viewing a recording of the incident, it was found that no riding offence was involved.
Following the race, Kieren Fox reported that PACO STYLE, unplaced, was slowly away and hung left-handed.
Race 3 - 6:45pm THE 100% PROFIT BOOST AT 32Redsport.com HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 5) NATIVE FIGHTER (IRE), trained by Simon Dow was late in the Parade Ring, due to difficulties with fitting the girth.
The Starter reported that Kieran Shoemark, the rider of TIDAL WATCH (IRE) had originally entered the wrong stall. The rider and Starter were interviewed and shown recordings of the incident. The rider was cautioned.
Race 4 - 7:15pm THE 32Red CONDITIONS STAKES (CLASS 2) (All-Weather Championships Fast-Track Qualifier) Following the race, Martin Harley reported that SANDRO BOTTICELLI (IRE), unplaced, stopped quickly and the Veterinary Officer reported that a post-race examination of the gelding failed to reveal any abnormalities.
Race 5 - 7:45pm THE 32Red.com HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 2) An enquiry was held to consider interference on the first bend when KELLY’S DINO (FR), placed second, ridden by Joey Haynes interfered with KOEMAN, placed third, ridden by Joe Fanning. Haynes was cautioned for careless riding as he allowed his mount to drift right-handed when not sufficiently clear causing Fanning to take a slight check.
Race 6 - 8:15pm THE 32Red CASINO HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 4) Permission was given for HIGHER COURT (USA) to be mounted on the chute.
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Post by Kimmy on Feb 21, 2018 20:34:36 GMT
Lambourn: James Burn
Got Away (4.05 Huntingdon, nap)
Smooth Leicester winner is open to improvement at the age of five and copes well with conditions. Should go close, especially as trainer Oliver Sherwood's string are in good nick.
3/1 Got Away 4:05 Huntingdon Others to follow Chelmsford 7.00 Pulsating, 7.30 Danzan, 8.30 Surrey Blaze, 9.00 Palawan. Huntingdon 2.20 Aardwolf, 2.55 Marmont, 5.15 Rebel Commander. Southwell 4.55 Great Return. West Country: Tim Mitchell
Lubatic (1.50 Huntingdon, nap)
Well beaten on all four starts over hurdles since winning a good ground bumper. However, the experience would not have been wasted and, with the drying ground in his favour, better will be expected in a first-time hood now upped in trip on handicap debut.
7/2 Lubatic 1:50 Huntingdon Others to follow Huntingdon 4.05 Desert Queen. Sedgefield 5.05 Money For Nothing. North: Colin Russell
Dark And Dangerous (4.30 Sedgefield, nap)
Won three on the trot over course and distance this time last year. Has dropped to a good mark and, with trip and track in his favour, can get off the mark for the season.
5/1 Dark And Dangerous 4:30 Sedgefield Others to follow Chelmsford 5.55 Firesnake, 6.30 Mabo, 7.00 Mythical Spirit, 8.30 Gemologist, 9.00 Scribner Creek. Sedgefield 1.40 Danceintothelight, 2.10 Captain Sharpe, 2.45 Bulkov, 3.20 Paddling, 3.55 Delegate, 5.05 Roxyfet. Southwell 2.00 Bold Spirit, 2.35 Cobalty Isle, 3.10 Ray Purchase, 3.45 Archimedes, 4.20 Clayton Hall, 4.55 Multiellie. Newmarket: David Milnes
Father Ailbe (8.30 Chelmsford, nap)
No fluke about the way the topweight got off the mark over a mile and a half at Lingfield last weekend and is fancied to defy the 6lb penalty for the resurgent John Butler.
3/1 Father Ailbe 8:30 Chelmsford (AW) Others to follow Lingfield 6.30 Freebe Rocks, 7.00 Reedanjas, 8.00 Thaqaffa. Racing Post Ratings: Steve Mason
Aaron Lad (1.40 Sedgefield, nap)
Late errors cost him at Catterick last week, but he remains well-treated off the same mark here and can go one better in a race that should be run to suit.
10/11 Aaron Lad 1:40 Sedgefield Topspeed: Dave Edwards
Must Havea Flutter (4.40 Huntingdon)
Earned decent figures when powering home in fine style at Market Rasen on Sunday and can shrug off his penalty.
6/4 Must Havea Flutter 4:40 Huntingdon Longshot: Ed Quigley
Good Time Ahead (4.55 Southwell)
Below par last time out, but remains of interest off a mark of 77 and should benefit from a return to this surface.
11/2 Good Time Ahead 4:55 Southwell (AW) Ireland: Tony O'Hehir
Castlebrook (3.35 Thurles)
Winner of a point-to-point and runner-up in his sole bumper, the Jimmy Mangan-trained five-year-old should appreciate the step up to three miles having run second on his hurdling debut over a mile shorter at Cork in November. The son of Oscar can score for Robbie Power.
SP Castlebrook 3:35 Thurles The Raceform Interactive nugget
In the last three seasons Johnny Farrelly's seven runners at Sedgefield have posted figures of 33111F1 (57 per cent strike-rate; +£9.79 to £1 level stakes.) Brendan Powell is 2-3 when riding for him at the track and he takes the mount on Money For Nothing in the 2m handicap chase at 5.05.
5/2 Money For Nothing 5:05 Sedgefield Members can read the latest exclusive tipping content such as Pricewise and Paul Kealy from 8pm daily on racingpost.com
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Post by Kimmy on Feb 21, 2018 20:35:14 GMT
Sue Smith is a trainer in form at present with a 33 per cent strike-rate with her horses in the last two weeks. She has just one runner on Thursday, Lucky Lucarno, who runs in the 2.45 at Sedgefield.
Robert Winston and the Roy Bowring-trained Foolaad have a perfect 2-2 record together and they combine once more in the 3.45 at Southwell. The gelding can make it four consecutive wins over course and distance.
Paul Nicholls has a 32 per cent strike-rate with his runners at Huntingdon and he saddles Antartica De Thaix in the 4.05. The course-and-distance winner has her ideal conditions and should go well.
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Post by dennisg on Feb 22, 2018 8:33:29 GMT
in today's sporting life................... Ashley Iveson says Silchester can follow up at Southwell as he previews all of the action in the UK & Ireland on Thursday. Silchester made a big impression on his racecourse introduction at Southwell a couple of weeks ago and can follow up on his return to the Nottinghamshire track in the sunbets.co.uk Novice Stakes. David Simcock's colt travelled with plenty of exuberance through the early stages of his debut, so it is testament to his talent that he had enough in the tank to comfortably see off Dawn Dancer by three lengths without being asked for maximum effort. To put the form into some sort of context, Dawn Dancer had finished a similar distance behind the high-class subsequent winner On The Warpath on his previous outing, while the third from that race, Desert Wind, has won twice since. Silchester clearly handles the Fibresand and with that initial experience under his belt, he can maintain his unbeaten record before going on to bigger and better things. The Keith Dalgleish-trained Ray Purchase is two from two at the Newark circuit and looks to have been found a good opportunity to make it three in the 32Red.com Handicap. While his form on the grass is nothing to write home about, the gelded son of Lethal Force has proved admirably consistent in the early part of his all-weather career, only once finishing out of the three in six starts. He bolted up here in mid-January before chasing home subsequent winner Harvest Day at Wolverhampton and enjoyed a successful return to Southwell when making all the running and winning readily three weeks ago. Ray Purchase is rated 62 for his latest assignment, a stone higher in the weights than when opening his account little over a month ago. However, many of his rivals are out of form, whereas Dalgleish's three-year-old is clearly on the improve. Shamrokh rates the best bet at Chelmsford's evening fixture. The former John Gosden inmate has won his last two starts at the Essex venue for Mick Appleby, following a couple of fine efforts in defeat, and and while this £10,000 contest looks competitive enough, Shamrokh should prove very hard to beat. Got Away created a minor surprise when securing a Listed win last month and she can double up in the Smarkets Lady Protectress Mares' Chase at Huntingdon. The five-year-old was the outsider of three runners at Leicester, but she impressed with her attitude as she ran out a four-and-a-half-length winner over Antartica De Thaix. That rival is in opposition again here and much better off at the weights, but Got Away appeals as an unexposed type as that was just her second British start having fallen on her initial run for Oliver Sherwood. Got Away seemingly improved for better ground at Leicester having largely been campaigned on testing conditions in France, and she can continue on an upward curve here. Valgor Du Ronceray is of interest in the Weatherbys Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide Handicap Hurdle at Sedgefield. The nine-year-old was a comfortable winner on his latest appearance over hurdles in Ireland when trained by Joseph O'Brien for Gigginstown House Stud, after which he was snapped up by Micky Hammond for £13,000. He has been campaigned exclusively over fences since arriving in Britain, but things have not gone to plan as he has failed to complete twice from three starts. That said, his effort to finish fourth at Catterick behind Divine Spear was not devoid of promise and he would have finished much closer but for making a serious error in the back straight. If he can get his act together in the jumping department back over the smaller obstacles, he is certainly capable of being competitive off his current mark. Sporting Life Suggestions CHELMSFORD: 5.55 Barnsdale, 6.30 The Night King, 7.00 Mythical Spirit, 7.30 Danzan, 8.00 Shamrokh, 8.30 Surrey Blaze, 9.00 Deliberator. HUNTINGDON: 1.50 Sergio, 2.20 Brecon Hill, 2.55 Sir Egbert, 3.30 Alberta, 4.05 Got Away, 4.40 Old Salt, 5.15 Fawsley Spirit. SEDGEFIELD: 1.40 Valgor Du Ronceray, 2.10 What A Dream, 2.45 Ingleby Hollow, 3.20 Cash Again, 3.55 Beeno, 4.30 Derrynane, 5.05 Roxyfet. SOUTHWELL: 2.00 Beauden Barrett, 2.35 SILCHESTER (NAP), 3.10 Ray Purchase, 3.45 Captain Lars, 4.20 Clayton Hall, 4.55 Good Time Ahead. THURLES: 1.55 Westerner Point, 2.25 Kate Appleby Shoes, 3.00 Not Many Left, 3.35 Massey's Wood, 4.10 Nick Lost, 4.45 Hughies Bay, 5.20 Moskovite. DOUBLE: Silchester and Ray Purchase.
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Post by dennisg on Feb 22, 2018 8:35:02 GMT
Matt Brocklebank was our man at Colin Tizzard's yard where Fox Norton was conspicuous by his absence but a novice chaser stood out in the sunshine ahead of the 2018 Cheltenham Festival. Native carrying the banner Colin Tizzard trained nine Grade One winners last season and yet drew a blank during the one week in the year that, by a distance, counts the most for top National Hunt handlers. Tizzard has five Cheltenham Festival winners on his CV from the past eight years, from Cue Card’s Champion Bumper emergence in 2010, through Oiseau De Nuit in 2011, Golden Chieftain and Cue Card again in 2013, to Thistlecrack’s masterclass in the 2016 Sun Bets Stayers’ Hurdle. And yet last year there was nothing to show at the big meeting, for all that early-season joy, headed by Native River’s brilliant staying performances in the Ladbrokes Trophy (then Hennessy) and Coral Welsh National. It is over to Native River again – last year’s Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup third – to fly the flag for the former farmer and he looked in razor-sharp nick during Wednesday’s open day. He wasn’t alone in looking well, with all eight or so horses paraded – including the stricken Thistlecrack, who will be “kept fit all summer so he’s ready at the start of next season” – gleaming in their coats. Which must be a relief for a trainer who begrudgingly admitted to having had a low-level virus in the yard during the deep winter months. “Look, there are a load of you stood around me here today and I’ve not heard anyone coughing – and yet if you’d all come to the stable in January there would have been half of you coughing. It’s cleared up now hasn’t it. "It's just the British weather and it's the same every year. “It’s the same with the horses and hopefully we’re in the clear now.” Evidence on the track suggests that is most definitely the case, with Vision Des Flos’ recent 31-length demolition job in an Exeter Listed race the best indicator that it’s now all systems go for the spring Festivals, where once again you’d suspect there will be a few surprised faces if Team Tizzard draws a Cheltenham blank. Power shift One man who looks set to be a key component of the big push is Robbie Power, who it was confirmed would now be used as number one rider for the horses running under the banner of Ann and Alan Potts Limited – on both sides of the Irish Sea. Power was named as retained rider following last season's Cheltenham Festival, but earlier this season Bryan Cooper was given the role of the Potts’ main man in Britain, with Power focussing on those trained in Ireland, the bulk of which are now with Jessie Harrington including last year’s Gold Cup winner, Sizing John. The two jockeys fulfilled their roles during the first half of the current campaign, with Cooper enjoying high-profile success on Fox Norton in the Shloer Chase. And yet Tizzard indicated on Wednesday that Power would be the man back in the hot-seat, whenever available, and that Cooper would play under-study. “Robbie Power is number one jockey for the Potts’,” stated the trainer. “If he’s not available we can use Bryan, or whoever else we like." Sporting Life ✔ @sportinglife 🤔 Are you on Native River for the Gold Cup? 🏇 Here's what Colin Tizzard had to say about one of the star members of his #CheltenhamFestival team... 10:05 PM - Feb 21, 2018 2 See Sporting Life's other Tweets Twitter Ads info and privacy Fox in his den If the jockey situation is still ever so slightly up in the air, then maybe something a little more alarming was the sheer lack of the Potts’ horses on show at the yard. Tizzard has been responsible for 66 of their 67 horses to have run in Britain since the late owners’ passing, and horses such as Fox Norton, Pingshou, Sizing Tennessee, Sizing Codelco – all major parts of the 2016/17 success story – were conspicuous by their absence. Finian’s Oscar paraded for the cameras, with the fitting of blinkers expected to sharpen up his jumping on a return to fences in the JLT Novices’ Chase, as did Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle outsider Ainchea, but there was no sign of the others. Last year’s Aintree Grade One winner Pingshou will sadly not take up his Unibet Champion Hurdle engagement on account of a setback, while Fox Norton was unable to be shown off as he’d “lost a shoe.” Reading between the lines, the Ryanair Chase is the likely target for the horse who beat Ryanair Chase favourite Un De Sceaux at Punchestown last spring, and the “puss in his foot” that saw him skip a possible Game Spirit clash with Altior and Politologue has now “fully cleared up." And it moves us all... With the Potts horses predominantly kept on the down-low for the day, it was two chasers at the opposite ends of their careers who shone under the bright blue Dorset skies. The evergreen Cue Card left Tizzard unusually emotional following his phoenix-like second to Waiting Patiently at Ascot, and here he was back gazing at him in sheer wonderment at the prospect of a fairy-tale ending to his glittering career. “Here's Cue Card. I think he'll improve massively for that run the other day." It's not always easy knowing when Colin Tizzard is having you on as a reporter, but there was no hint of sarcasm in his suggestion that Cue Card could improve for his incredible Ascot Chase effort behind the highly-progressive winner. "He's been on the go nine seasons and it's amazing how he has maintained his form the way he has." There was no commitment when it comes to the Ryanair Chase/Gold Cup dilemma, but Cue Card really is an amazing racehorse and, given his age, it is quite remarkable if that's the only real problem they're facing with him right now. How on earth will they go about replacing a horse like Cue Card? Well… “Do you know the most significant fact about this horse?”, bellows the trainer as the next animal takes to the floor. A faint mumble of Samcro something or other comes back from the gathered anoraks, before Tizzard answers his own question. “This is Elegant Escape and no horse has got as close to Samcro as this one. It was just a length and a quarter (in a point-to-point) and Samcro was off the bit as well! “We’ve likened him a little bit to the campaign that Native River had as a novice. "He’d stay four miles but at the moment we’re definitely leaning more towards the RSA Chase with him. He beat Black Corton at Newbury (December 2) and we were closing on him at the finish at Kempton on Boxing Day. Cheltenham will be perfect for him.” It may well be perfect, and the manner of Elegant Escape’s easy subsequent Exeter win suggests, like Black Corton, he isn't done improving yet either. There are a lot of bright prospects to fill the massive void that will inevitably be some day soon left by Cue Card, but this could be the most dazzling of them all. In a nutshell Festival banker - NATIVE RIVER, Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup Best long-term prospect - ELEGANT ESCAPE, RSA Chase Dark horse - PADLEYOUROWNCANOE, Fred Winter Juvenile Hurdle
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Post by dennisg on Feb 22, 2018 8:37:09 GMT
Donn McClean looks at the battle between Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott as we build up to the 2018 Cheltenham Festival. Last season, the Willie Mullins/Gordon Elliott duel went all the way. Elliott led from flagfall, he set a pace that almost broke all his rivals. He won all those big handicap chases, the Galway Plate and the Kerry National and the Munster National and the Troytown Chase and the Dan Moore Chase and the Leopardstown Chase, and he won the Grade 1 races too, the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle and the Lexus Chase and the Lawlor’s Hotel Hurdle and the Spring Juvenile Hurdle. Mullins kept in touch though with Grade 1 wins of his own, the Morgiana Hurdle and the John Durkan Chase and the Racing Post Novice Chase and the Future Champions Novice Hurdle and the Christmas Hurdle and the Deloitte Novice Hurdle. The champion remained within striking distance of the pretender until they got to the run-in, until they reached the first day of the Punchestown Festival in April, the final week of the season. Then he found another gear. He didn’t hit the front until the second last day of the season, deep inside the final furlong, but when he did, the move was emphatic and he was crowned champion again. You marvelled at Mullins’ tenacity, your heart went out to Elliott, and you celebrated both. It was Crisp and Red Rum all over again, and it was an enthralling continuum that ran through the entire season. The duel spilled out beyond Ireland’s shores into Cheltenham, which is part-Irish anyway for a week. Not a penny earned in prize money at Cheltenham counted in the battle for the Irish National Hunt trainers’ championship, but it didn’t matter. They went toe-to-toe again. It was an extraordinary week, ignited by the spark of the curtain-raiser, the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, when the Gordon Elliott 25/1 shot Labaik, under Cheltenham Festival newbie Jack Kennedy, beat the Willie Mullins favourite Melon. Apple’s Jade was flanked by Vroum Vroum Mag and Limini on the run to the final flight in the Mares’ Hurdle, but she battled on best of all under Bryan Cooper. And when Lisa O’Neill booted Tiger Roll home in the National Hunt Chase, it was three for Elliott on Day One, none for Mullins. : Cheltenham Festival 2018, Top Trainer Willie Mullins - Gordon Elliott - Nicky Henderson - 20/1 Bar. Odds correct at 1305 GMT on 21/02/2018. . You thought that Mullins would put things right on the second day, but Bacardys was beaten, Bellshill was beaten, Carter McKay was beaten. Even Douvan was beaten. To confound matters, Elliott won the cross-country chase with Cause Of Causes and the Champion Bumper with Fayonagh, both ridden by Jamie Codd and, at half-time, incredibly, Elliott had five winners on the board, Mullins had none. What followed on Thursday was just as incredible. It started with Yorkhill, it continued with Un De Sceaux and Nichols Canyon, and it ended with Let’s Dance as Mullins won four of the seven races on the day in a Ruby Walsh quadruple masterclass. Mullins had two more winners on Friday, Arctic Fire and Penhill, both ridden by Paul Townend, and Elliott had one, Champagne Classic in the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Hurdle, JJ Slevin’s first. So, when the dust settled a little, you realised that they had six winners each and that the VAR would be needed. You took a moment to appreciate the enormity of the two trainers’ achievements. Of course, there are more races at the Cheltenham Festival these days than there used to be, but six winners would have won every Leading Trainer’s award at the meeting until 2012, when Nicky Henderson had seven. Indeed, Henderson was the only trainer apart from Willie Mullins who had had more than five winners at a single Cheltenham Festival in the history of the meeting. Now add Gordon Elliott to that short list. And the VAR said that Gordon Elliott had won the 2017 Leading Trainer’s title too. Six winners, three seconds and three thirds, as against Mullins’ six winners, two seconds and four thirds. Strange the elements on which these things can depend. If the short head by which Mega Fortune beat Bapaume for second place behind Defi Du Seuil in the Triumph Hurdle had gone the other way – if Bapaume had finished second by a short head instead of third by a short head – then the Leading Trainer award would have gone the other way too. Gordon Elliott Gordon Elliott: VAR decided he won the leading trainer title at last year's Festival It was some week though for both trainers. That’s 54 Cheltenham Festival wins now for Mullins, just four behind all-time leader Nicky Henderson, and 14 for Elliott, which is impressive given that, comparatively, he has only just started. All the stats say that Elliott’s rise has been meteoric. He did not train his first Cheltenham Festival winner until 2011 and, before 2016, he had had a total of just five. Now he has 14. In two years, between 2016 and 2017, he won nine races at the Cheltenham Festival, including, famously, the 2016 Gold Cup with Don Cossack. This season, similar story. Elliott is setting the pace again in the Irish National Hunt trainers’ championship, hunted up by Mullins. And the Cheltenham battalions are being assembled. It looks like Willie Mullins is responsible for the ante post favourite or joint favourite in eight of the 28 Cheltenham Festival races at this stage, and for the second favourite in seven others, while Gordon Elliott is responsible for five favourites and four second favourites. It is some show of collective strength. Bankers? No such thing of course, but Apple’s Jade is going to take some beating in the Mares’ Hurdle for Elliott, Cause Of Causes is a worthy favourite for the Cross-Country and Samcro is one of the most exciting horses in training. For Mullins, Un De Sceaux sets the standard again in the Ryanair Chase, while Footpad has been just about flawless all season and you can easily understand why Laurina deserves is on top of the market for the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle. Mr Adjudicator (Mullins) and Farclas (Elliott) fought out the finish of the Spring Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown’s Dublin Racing Festival two and a half weeks ago, and both horses are big players in the Triumph Hurdle picture. There wasn’t much between them at Leopardstown, and there may not be much between them again at Cheltenham. There may not be much between their respective trainers either.
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Post by dennisg on Feb 22, 2018 8:39:00 GMT
David Ord heads to the finale at Sedgefield for his best bet on Thursday - with Brian Hughes the man aboard. Recommended bet: Sporting Life's Daily Nap, February 22 Brian Hughes is riding full of confidence at present and can steer Black Kettle to victory in the closing Donald McCain Best Turned Out Winner Handicap Chase. The eight-year-old has had three runs for Rebecca Menzies since joining from Christian Delcros and ran his best race in the first of them, over course and distance here in September. On that occasion he finished second, beaten a length by My Renaissance. He went up seven pounds for the effort and made mistakes at a crucial stage when fourth at Uttoxeter and Catterick subsequently. The latter was his his first run back from a wind operation and he would have finished closer but for missing out the third last. Hughes takes over in the saddle again (having been aboard in the previous race here) and the handicapper has dropped him three pounds to 93. This isn't the deepest of races and he is taken to the the better of the unpredictable Money For Nothing and Roxyfet. Daily Nap record: -8.99pts
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Post by Kimmy on Feb 22, 2018 8:48:01 GMT
Thursday: going, weather & non-runners Chelmsford (AW) GOING: POLYTRACK: STANDARD WEATHER: Partly cloudy STALLS: 6f - Centre; Remainder - Inside NON RUNNERS: 9:00 Scribner Creek (4) Huntingdon GOING: SOFT (GoingStick: Chs 5.6 Hdl 5.7) (Rail movements; R1 +68y, R2, 3, 4 & 7 +54y, R5 & 6 +76y) WEATHER: Partly cloudy Sedgefield GOING: SOFT (GoingStick: Chs 6.5 Hdl 6.6) (Fence 3 omitted) (Rail movements - R2 +49y, R4 +53y, R7 +44y) WEATHER: Mostly cloudy NON RUNNERS: 2:45 Excalibur (3) 3:55 Mydor (4) Southwell (AW) GOING: FIBRESAND: STANDARD WEATHER: Partly cloudy STALLS: 5f - Centre; Remainder - Inside NON RUNNERS: 2:00 Maazel (6) 2:35 Teardrop Island (7) 4:55 Shine Baby Shine (10) Thurles GOING: Hurdle course - SOFT TO HEAVY; Chase course - SOFT WEATHER: Cloudy
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Post by Kimmy on Feb 22, 2018 8:48:36 GMT
DARK HORSE
Musawaat (3.05 Meydan)
There's plenty to like about the chances of this Meydan newcomer, now trained by Fawzi Abdulla Nass. Plenty of his rivals are quite exposed and the four-year-old put up some good efforts in Britain when trained by Charlie Hills that put him in the reckoning here. Seven furlongs on the dirt should suit, while his running style and draw are also big positives. Musawaat's sire Equiano has sired a few dirt winners with the likes of Desert Force scoring at Meydan and Belvoir Bay landing a Grade 3 on dirt at Del Mar, so hopefully the surface will suit the selection. The jockey booking is also a positive as Adrie de Vries knows how to ride Meydan, so expect Musawaat to run a big race if tuned up for the occasion.
GOOD THING
Noah From Goa (4.50 Meydan)
Noah From Goa deserves his moment in the spotlight and I won't be deserting him in the big race on the card, the Group 2 Zabeel Mile. The Mike de Kock-trained five-year-old is yet to run a bad race but always seems to find one too good. There's a likelyhood that could be the case here but with his main market rivals in stalls eight, nine and ten and being right beside the pace horse who comes from the same stable, it wouldn't be a surprise if the race set up nicely for him. On form and ratings he has it to do with Championship and Whisky Baron, but the former ran badly last time and so did Whisky Baron on his only run in Britain last year and I couldn't trust either of them. Expect Janoobi to burst out of the gate and give Noah From Goa a good tow into the race, and hopefully Christophe Soumillon can get first run on the pair's main rivals and get home.
BANKER
Eynhallow (6.00 Meydan)
The last race at Meydan looks a cracker but once again Eynhallow looks too well handicapped to desert. The Nathaniel gelding got into all sorts of trouble last time when he flew home for fourth. That run should have put him spot-on for this, while he's also better off at the weights with Gold Star and Walton Street, the first and second from last time. It's a very tricky contest packed with quality – as the middle-distance handicaps on the turf at Meydan usually are – but the selection is much better than his handicap rating suggests, he's got a good draw and the booking of Brett Doyle is interesting and certainly not a negative.
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Post by Kimmy on Feb 22, 2018 12:31:04 GMT
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Post by Kimmy on Feb 22, 2018 12:32:00 GMT
Huntingdon
Robin Goodfellow
1.50 Phoenix Rock
2.20 Aardwolf
2.55 Walsingham Grange
3.30 Alberta
4.05 Happy Diva
4.40 Must Havea Flutter (nb)
5.15 Voie Dans Voie
Gimcrack
1.50 Sergio
2.20 Brecon Hill
2.55 Sir Egbert
3.30 Alberta
4.05 Got Away
4.40 Old Salt
5.15 Fawsley Spirit
Southwell
Robin Goodfellow
2.00 Kommander Kirkup (nap)
2.35 Silchester
3.10 Ray Purchase
3.45 Foolaad
4.20 Leonard Thomas
4.55 Jabbaar
Gimcrack
2.00 Beauden Barrett
2.35 Silchester (nap)
3.10 Ray Purchase (nb)
3.45 Captain Lars
4.20 Clayton Hall
4.55 Good Time Ahead
Sedgefield
Robin Goodfellow
1.40 Aaron Lad
2.10 Steps And Stairs
2.45 Bulkov
3.20 Cash Again
3.55 Craig Star
4.30 Nautical Twilight
5.05 Roxyfet
Gimcrack
1.40 Valgor Du Ronceray
2.10 What A Dream
2.45 Ingleby Hollow
3.20 Cash Again
3.55 Beeno
4.30 Derrynane
5.05 Roxyfet
Chelmsford City
Robin Goodfellow
5.55 Roy’s Legacy
6.30 Vodka Pigeon
7.00 Very Honest
7.30 Danzan
8.00 Shamrokh
8.30 Dark Freedom
9.00 Scribner Creek
Gimcrack
5.55 Barnsdale
6.30 The Night King
7.00 Mythical Spirit
7.30 Danzan
8.00 Shamrokh
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Post by Kimmy on Feb 22, 2018 17:22:24 GMT
The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has today announced that two additional all-weather fixtures will take place at Lingfield on the afternoon of Monday 26 February and Chelmsford City on the afternoon of Tuesday 27 February in light of the weather forecast for the coming days. Entries for both fixtures, which will be six-race cards, will close at 12 noon tomorrow, Friday 23 February. Declarations for Lingfield will be on Saturday 24 February, with declarations for Chelmsford City on Sunday 25 February. Full race programme details for both fixtures will be available via the racing admin site, www2.racingadmin.co.uk. Notes to editors: For further information on the either of the items above please contact the BHA Racing Department on 0207 152 0050
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Post by Kimmy on Feb 22, 2018 18:59:01 GMT
Huntingdon, 22 Feb 18 Race 1 - 1:50pm THE SMARKETS HANDICAP HURDLE RACE (CLASS 5) Permission was given for LUBATIC (FR) to go early to post.
Kielan Woods, the rider of the winner, RED ADMIRABLE (IRE), was suspended for 7 days for using his whip above the permitted level from turning into the home straight.
Race 2 - 2:20pm THE SMARKETS NOVICES' HURDLE RACE (CLASS 4) Following the race the Veterinary Officer reported that NO REFUND (IRE), unplaced, lost its left fore shoe.
Race 3 - 2:55pm THE SMARKETS HANDICAP HURDLE RACE (CLASS 4) (DIV I) Following the race the Veterinary Officer reported that MARMONT, placed second, lost its left fore shoe.
Race 4 - 3:30pm THE SMARKETS HANDICAP HURDLE RACE (CLASS 4) (DIV II) Following the race Sean Bowen reported that LEVEL OF INTENSITY (IRE), placed seventh, stopped quickly. Nigel Hawke reported that the gelding had a breathing problem. The Veterinary Officer reported that DOITFORTHEVILLAGE (IRE), placed second, lost its right fore shoe.
The winner, BIRCH HILL (IRE), appeared to show improved form, compared with its previous run at Cheltenham on 27th January 2018 where the gelding was pulled up. Sophie Leech’s explanation that the gelding had benefitted from its first run following a lengthy absence was noted. BIRCH HILL (IRE) was routine tested.
Race 5 - 4:05pm THE SMARKETS LADY PROTECTRESS MARES' STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 1) (Listed Race) (NHMOPS Bonus Race) Permission was given for MARIAH’S LEGEND to go early to post.
Following the race Leighton Aspell reported that GOT AWAY (FR), which was pulled up, stopped quickly. The Veterinary Officer reported that a post-race examination of the mare failed to reveal any abnormalities. The Veterinary Officer reported that ANTARTICA DE THAIX (FR), which was pulled up, bled from the nose.
Race 6 - 4:40pm THE SMARKETS JOHN BIGG OXO HANDICAP STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 4) (For the John Bigg Oxo Trophy) Robin Dickin, was fined £140 as the record of vaccinations in the passport of UNDER THE PHONE (IRE) did not comply with the Rules of Racing.
Race 7 - 5:15pm THE SMARKETS MAIDEN HURDLE RACE (CLASS 5) Permission was given for FARMER BOY (IRE) to go early to post.
Following the race the Veterinary Officer reported that REBEL COMMANDER (IRE), unplaced, finished distressed. View Stewards report Southwell, 22 Feb 18 Race 1 - 2:00pm THE sunbets.co.uk HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 5) The Starter reported DONNELLY’S RAINBOW (IRE) was the subject of a third criteria failure. Rebecca Bastiman was informed that the gelding could not run until the day after passing a stalls test. As it was the second occasion within the previous 12 months that DONNELLY’S RAINBOW (IRE) had been reported, a further report within the same period would mean the gelding would be prevented from having a stalls test for 6 months.
Following the race, Robert Winston reported that QUEENS ROYALE, unplaced, lost its action. The Veterinary Officer reported that a post-race examination, during routine testing, of QUEENS ROYALE revealed the gelding to be lame on its right hind; Richard Kingscote reported that his saddle slipped on MR CHRISTOPHER (IRE), placed eighth, shortly after the start and Franny Norton reported that UNNOTICED, placed sixth, reared in the stalls and was slowly away.
Race 3 - 3:10pm THE 32Red.com HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 6) Following the race, Robert Winston reported that COURTEOUS CROWN, placed eighth, stopped quickly and Franny Norton reported that ELEGANT JOAN, placed seventh, stopped quickly. The Veterinary Officer reported that a post-race examination of both fillies failed to reveal any abnormalities.
Race 4 - 3:45pm THE BETWAY SPRINT HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 3) Permission was given for POYLE VINNIE to be mounted in the chute and go early to post, and for CAPTAIN LARS (SAF) to go early to post. View Stewards report Sedgefield, 22 Feb 18 Race 1 - 1:40pm THE WEATHERBYS CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL BETTING GUIDE HANDICAP HURDLE RACE (CLASS 4) The performance of NICELY INDEED (IRE) which was pulled up, was considered. It was noted that Philip Kirby could offer no explanation for the gelding’s performance. The Veterinary Officer reported that a post-race examination of the gelding during routine testing failed to reveal any abnormalities.
Race 3 - 2:45pm THE WILLIAMS SISTERS NOVICES' HURDLE RACE (CLASS 4) (Betfred Hurdle Series Qualifier) TITAN wore earplugs.
The Veterinary Officer reported that L’ETOILE (IRE), unplaced, finished lame right hind.
Race 4 - 3:20pm THE WEATHERBYS STALLION BOOK STEEPLE CHASE (A NOVICES' LIMITED HANDICAP) (CLASS 4) Permission was given for PADDLING (IRE) to wear a hood in the parade ring which was removed before going to the start.
Following the race, George Bewley reported that CLASSICAL MILANO (IRE), unplaced, was unsuited by the Soft ground on this occasion, and would prefer a quicker surface.
Race 5 - 3:55pm THE SEDGEFIELD BOOKMAKERS HANDICAP HURDLE RACE (CLASS 3) NINEPOINTSIXTHREE wore earplugs which were removed at the start.
The winner, BEENO (IRE), appeared to show an improvement in form, compared with its previous run at Catterick on 24 January 2018, where the gelding finished third of eight beaten 22 lengths. Ken Slack explained that the gelding appreciated the drop back in trip to 2 miles & 1 furlong on the drier ground on this occasion. His explanation was noted and BEENO (IRE) was routine tested.
The Veterinary Officer reported that NINEPOINTSIXTHREE, placed second, lost its left front shoe. Will Kennedy reported that CRAIG STAR (IRE), placed fifth of five, ran flat. The Veterinary Officer reported that a post-race examination of the gelding failed to reveal any abnormalities.
Race 6 - 4:30pm THE BRIAN ELLISON BEAT THE BEST WINNER HANDICAP HURDLE RACE (CLASS 4) Micky Hammond, was fined £140 as the record of vaccinations in the passport of AJABINDEJAW (IRE) did not comply with the Rules of Racing.
An enquiry was held into the improvement in form of the winner, STRAIT RUN (IRE), compared with its previous run at Catterick on 28 December 2017, where the gelding finished eleventh of twelve, beaten 34 lengths. Micky Hammond explained that the gelding is an unreliable sort who has come on from his re-appearance run at Catterick, which followed an injury when pulling up in February 2017. Mr Hammond’s explanation was noted and STRAIT RUN (IRE) was routine tested.
Race 7 - 5:05pm THE DONALD MCCAIN BEST TURNED OUT WINNER HANDICAP STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 5) The winner FRANKIE BALLOU (IRE), appeared to show an improvement in form, compared with its previous run at Sedgefield on 18 January 2018, where the gelding pulled up. It was noted that the representative of Joanne Foster could provide no explanation for the gelding’s performance. View Stewards report Chelmsford City, 22 Feb 18 Race 2 - 6:30pm THE toteexacta PICK THE 1st AND 2nd HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 6) Following the race, Josephine Gordon reported that VODKA PIGEON, unplaced, was never travelling and Adam West reported that the filly was unsuited by the track.
Race 3 - 7:00pm THE totequadpot RACES 3 TO 6 FILLIES' HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 5) Permission was given for PULSATING (IRE) to be mounted on the chute.
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Post by Kimmy on Feb 22, 2018 19:04:49 GMT
The union representing staff at Musselburgh racecourse has threatened industrial action if East Lothian Council proceeds with its plans to bring the track back under full council control.
The latest development in a long-running battle for control of the course came after councillors announced the decision to hold a meeting on the future of the track behind closed doors, a decision which has angered other members of the Musselburgh Joint Racing Committee, the group set up in the 1990s to oversee running of the track.
In a letter to councillors, regional secretary Barry Fletcher of the GMB union said: "If the council adopts the proposals it would result in an objection in the Court of Session by LRS [Lothian Racing Syndicate], industrial action by racecourse staff and possibly the British Horseracing Authority declining East Lothian Council's application for a racecourse licence beyond the expiry of the current licence.
"The GMB feels strongly an interim change to MJRC is unnecessary and could have very serious, detrimental, long-term consequences for Musselburgh Racecourse."
Up for discussion
Union members would have to be balloted before any strike action would take place, but it is anticipated that this would pass in favour of a walk-out by staff.
Disputes between the council and LRS led to the BHA stepping in last year, threatening not to renew the course's licence to race if governance issues at the track were not made subject to a review.
The law firm Pinsent Masons conducted the review and its recommendations are reportedly among the items up for discussion at the behind-closed-doors council meeting, which is scheduled for Tuesday.
The council's justification for holding the meeting in private is that it would involve the disclosure of "commercially sensitive" information. This claim was on Thursday contested by LRS's chairman John Prideaux.
He said in a letter: "There is no information in the Pinsent Masons report that could be deemed as commercially sensitive and this is simply a smokescreen put up by the ELC administration to prevent a full and honest examination of their damaging proposals."
Musselburgh's temporary licence to race expires on April 7.
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Post by Kimmy on Feb 22, 2018 19:05:25 GMT
After Southwell and Meydan, Chelmsford brings down the curtain on racing on Thursday with seven races on At The Races. The action starts at 5.55pm and here are three horses to keep an eye on
Danzan 7.30 Chelmsford
Already past the post? That is the impression the betting would give you when assessing Danzan’s chances in the 6f novice stakes.
The 105-rated three-year-old takes on three debutants in a race that is a striking example of why the BHA has made amendments to the rules for novice races open to older horses from the start of the 2018 Flat season.
Should, as expected, the long odds-on favourite canter to victory, connections can turn their attention towards the 32Red 3yo Championship Final on All-Weather Finals day.
1/9 Danzan 7:30 Chelmsford (AW) Thaqaffa 8.00 Chelmsford
A race full of intrigue with Thaqaffa, Shamrokh and Maestro Mac all bidding to build on their good recent records.
Maestro Mac has won three of his five starts for trainer Tom Clover, Shamrokh is seeking a hat-trick after back-to-back wins here, while Thaqaffa is chasing a four-timer this evening.
The Amy Murphy-trained five-year-old drops in trip for this race and has also been declared for a 1m4f handicap at Lingfield on Saturday.
11/2 Thaqaffa 8:00 Chelmsford (AW) Late Change 8.30 Chelmsford
Surrey Blaze chases a hat-trick in the penultimate race tonight, but could he come unstuck against a horse starting from the same position he was a few weeks ago.
The three-year-old started life in handicaps off a lowly mark having failed to make much impact in maidens despite a fair sum being paid for him at the sales. Subsequently gelded, he has won both races since in good style.
Tonight he faces Late Change, a 75,000gns purchase last year. She has not shown much so far, but steps up in trip for her handicap debut and represents leading duo David Simcock and Jamie Spencer.
10/3 Late Change 8:30 Chelmsford (AW) Keep up to date with all of this evening's action with Raceday Live
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Post by Kimmy on Feb 22, 2018 19:06:05 GMT
Chief Irish Horse Racing Regulatory Board [IHRB] medical officer Dr Adrian McGoldrick says Paul Townend is on course to return to race riding next week, less than a month after suffering a heavy final fence fall from Killultagh Vic in the Irish Gold Cup.
He said: "I examined Paul yesterday [Wednesday] and the plan is to wean him off his protective boot that he’s been wearing since his fall. I expect him to be back riding out by Monday and he should be able to return to race riding by the end of next week, all going well.”
Jody McGarvey, who fractured his T8 vertebra in a fall in September, was not long back from that injury before he injured his chest and neck in another fall at Limerick over the Christmas period but the County Derry native is due back later next week as well.
McGarvey said: "I was only just back and I got a bad fall at Limerick on St Stephen's Day when I fractured a vertebra. I'm back riding out now and I feel well. I've done plenty in the gym and I'm riding in a few schooling races on Friday. Hopefully I'll be back next week."
Owners increase funding for retired racehorses
Britain’s racehorse owners are to increase their automatic financial contribution to the welfare of retired racehorses, the first time there has been a rise in the levy since 2009.
The Racehorse Owners Association has agreed that the levy charged every time a horse is entered in a race will be increased from £1 to £1.25 from March 1.
That money goes to Retraining of Racehorses, the racing industry’s official charity for the welfare of racehorses when they have retired. Last year owners contributed £202,856 to the charity via the levy.
ROA chief executive Charlie Liverton said: “The welfare of retired racehorses is an area on which the ROA remains focused on, given the important role that Retraining of Racehorses plays.
“The 25 per cent increase from March reflects the increased rate of inflation since the £1 levy was first established in 2009.
“Our members have responded positively to this decision, such is their concern that the interests of former racehorses remain a priority for owners.”
Retraining of Racehorses chief executive Di Arbuthnot said: “We are very grateful to the ROA for taking the lead and increasing their contribution to RoR.
“The increased revenue will be spread between our two core objectives, firstly promoting the versatility of former racehorses and providing them with opportunities for a fulfilling second career after racing, and secondly, ensuring their welfare is protected and stepping in to provide care and treatment should it be necessary.
“As the scale of the charity has grown, so have our costs, which makes this announcement all the more welcome.”
Last year’s winner Smyth on stable staff judging panel
Owen Smyth, winner of the Irish Racing Excellence award at the 2017 Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards, has joined the judging panel for three years and will begin his role at this year's awards.
Head stallion man at Kildangan Stud, Smyth has worked in racing since 1983. Originally from Crumlin in Dublin and a graduate of Race (Racing Academy and Centre of Education), Smyth has been employed at the stud since 1988.
Speaking about his appointment, he said: “I am deeply honoured to be involved in the judging panel for this year’s Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards.
"I hope that my experience as a stud farm worker will bring something new to the table and I look forward to sharing my knowledge with the judging committee.”
Olive O'Connor, who previously sat on the South Leinster region ITBA committee and has over 30 years of experience in the industry, will also join the panel this year.
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Post by dennisg on Feb 23, 2018 8:44:27 GMT
in today's sporting life................ This afternoon's meeting at Exeter will have to pass a second inspection at 9.30am. Temperatures at the track dipped to minus 2.5C overnight, prompting officials to take an early look which proved inconclusive. The take offs and landings at the track have been covered and a rise in temperatures is expected.
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Post by dennisg on Feb 23, 2018 8:46:04 GMT
Anita Chambers sides with an in-form Bobby Wheeler for her best bet on Friday - and she has a tip for every race in the UK and Ireland. Bobby Wheeler ended a lengthy losing spell when winning at Kempton at the start of the month and can build on that with victory in the Play Starburst Slot At sunbets.co.uk/vegas Handicap at Lingfield. Clive Cox's runner had not got his head in front since July 2016 and had fallen right down the ratings to a perch of 82, with his burden further lightened by 7lb claimer Amelia Glass. She clearly got a good tune out of the five-year-old, making every yard of the running to come home the best part of three lengths clear with plenty still seemingly in the tank. Bobby Wheeler has paid for that effort with a steep hike back to the handicap to a mark of 90, but he clocked a decent time that day and with Glass again using her claim, the Pivotal gelding is one for the short list. Odds On Oli has seemingly found his groove of late and can score a first career success in the 32Red.com Handicap. The three-year-old has been making steady progress since being dropped in company, placing on each of his last two starts at Newcastle and Southwell. He did not seem to particularly enjoy the Southwell surface on that occasion but kept on regardless, although he was beaten a fair distance by a wide-margin winner. Dropped 1lb for that effort, he should be more at home back on Polytrack. Spare Parts has been one of the stories of the winter and he can keep the fairytale going by winning the sunbets.co.uk Handicap at Wolverhampton. Phil McEntee's charge has won five times already this year but had to settle for second on his most recent outing at Chelmsford, coming up against what appeared to be a decent winner. Spare Parts started 2018 rated 49 and lines up here on 80, so clearly life is just getting tougher for him but he keeps responding and can do so again. Pure Vision can bounce back from defeat at Chepstow last time by winning the 188Bet Cheltenham Festival Preview 6th March Chase at Exeter. The seven-year-old will be having just his fourth outing over fences here and while he was beaten into fourth last time, there was still plenty to like about his performance. Pure Vision was a winner on his second outing over fences at Ffos Las in November and after being raised 7lb for that, it was no surprise to see him find life a bit tougher last time. However, he ran on well at the finish in testing conditions in what was a decent event, so it may be too soon to rule him out of the equation here. Yanmare seems to thrive over an extreme distance and he can make the most of bottom weight in the Higos Insurance Services Devon National Handicap Chase. A winner over the same extended three-mile-six-furlong course he faces here on his penultimate start, Yanmare has since disappointed when dropped back in trip. Nigel Twiston-Davies gives him much more of a stamina test again now and he can rise to the challenge. Cobra De Mai can win Warwick's Entire Cheltenham Festival On Racing UK Budbrooke Handicap Chase, while Eolian is the pick in the Whitson Bloodstock & Olly Murphy Racing Juvenile Hurdle. Trained by Murphy, Eolian showed an aptitude for heavy ground when winning on the Flat for previous handler Andrew Balding. Sporting Life suggestions: DUNDALK: 5.30 Six Silver Lane, 6.00 Dream Point, 6.30 Jon Ess, 7.00 Editorial, 7.30 Boxer Dunford, 8.00 Downtown Diva, 8.30 Nulife, 9.00 California Lad. EXETER: 2.00 Robert's Star, 2.35 Waiheke, 3.10 Reikers Island, 3.40 Kalahari Queen, 4.15 Pure Vision, 4.50 Yanmare, 5.20 Fontsanta. LINGFIELD: 2.10 Odds On Oli, 2.45 Wild Flower, 3.20 Rock On Baileys, 3.50 BOBBY WHEELER (NAP), 4.25 Perfect Illusion, 5.00 Star Ascending. WARWICK: 1.50 Lisdoonvarna Lad, 2.25 Eolian, 3.00 Sparkling River, 3.30 Cobra De Mai, 4.05 American Life, 4.40 West Wizard, 5.10 Megaboost. WOLVERHAMPTON: 5.45 High Anxiety, 6.15 Mistress Viz, 6.45 Stapleford, 7.15 Spare Parts, 7.45 Naralsaif, 8.15 Super Florence. DOUBLE: Bobby Wheeler and Spare Parts.
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Post by dennisg on Feb 23, 2018 8:47:53 GMT
A round-up of Thursday's action at Huntingdon, where Rene's Girl claimed a lucrative victory. Rene's Girl can now look forward to a first outing at Grade One level after claiming the most lucrative victory of her career in the Smarkets Lady Protectress Mares' Chase at Huntingdon. After running out an impressive winner of a Listed chase at Doncaster last time out, the eight-year-old struck at the same level for the second race in succession when taking the two-and-a-half-mile contest by two lengths to complete doubles for Dan and Harry Skelton. Assistant trainer Tom Messenger said of the 4/1 winner: "Her jumping today was not a foot-perfect round but I don't think anybody was. "She was a bit brave early on which is her way, having run from the front before, but on the whole she jumped well. She knuckled down nicely in the end. She idled in front after the last, but she picked up when Harry asked her. "I think the plan is to go for the two-and-a-half-mile Grade One novice chase at Aintree. She has won two Listed races and got black type so she deserves to take her chance in a race like that." Starcrossed (16/1) got the ball rolling for the Skelton brothers when building on his debut effort earlier in the month to claim a surprise length success in the Smarkets Novices' Hurdle. Messenger added: "He was a two-miler on the Flat and we thought he would be better when he was upped to two and three-quarter or three miles. That was a nice surprise. "Obviously he has sharpened up from his first run. He has got a lovely attitude and jumps well. Hopefully he will progress when we step him up in trip." Shining Romeo (13/2) completed a remarkable transformation after ending a recent spell in the doldrums when taking division one of the Smarkets Handicap Hurdle by a length. Trainer Denis Quinn said: "He will be better on better ground, as he hated that. His confidence is coming back after he had a bit of an experience at Sedgefield last summer. "His spleen swelled up and it didn't go back down for a while. He was distressed in the lorry and we were lucky we didn't lose him." Dual champion jockey Richard Johnson continued his good relationship with Birch Hill (16/1) after making it three from three aboard the Sophie Leech-trained eight-year-old in the second division. Johnson said: "I was lucky to be on him at the end of last season. He won a couple of races, then he got a problem at Chepstow at the end of the season. He had a run at Cheltenham a few weeks ago and he improved for that. "He is probably more of a stayer than a speed horse. The ground is very testing and you need to get two and a half miles on that ground."
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Post by dennisg on Feb 23, 2018 8:49:25 GMT
Find out where David Ord is sending the Sporting Life nap money on this freezing Friday. Recommended bet: Sporting Life's Daily Nap, February 23 He may have been a beaten favourite at Cheltenham last time but Coo Star Sivola can return to winning ways in the 188Bet Cheltenham Festival Preview 6th March Chase at Exeter. Nick Williams’ charge was sent off at 3/1 for a deeper race than this at Prestbury Park but paid the price for making a dramatic move three out – eventually fading into fourth behind the impressive Frodon. However, he remains a potentially well handicapped horse over fences and runs from a three pound lower mark than the one he had when fourth in last season’s Martin Pipe at the Festival. He’s impressed with his jumping so far and is taken to get the better of Pure Vision and Walt who rate the main dangers. Daily Nap record: -9.99pts
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Post by Kimmy on Feb 23, 2018 9:45:37 GMT
Friday: going, weather & non-runners Dundalk (AW) GOING: POLYTRACK: STANDARD WEATHER: Partly cloudy Exeter GOING: 9.30am inspection. SOFT (Last hurdle in back straight omitted) WEATHER: Mostly sunny NON RUNNERS: 2:00 Umberto D'Olivate (5) Lingfield (AW) GOING: POLYTRACK: STANDARD WEATHER: Sunny STALLS: 1m & 5f: Outside; Remainder: Inside NON RUNNERS: 2:10 Sunhill Lad (1)Jazzy Girl (8) Warwick GOING: GOOD TO SOFT (Soft in places on the Hurdle course) (Hurdle and NHF races will be run on the Inner Hurdle course) (Rail movements; R1 -35y, R2 & 7 -24y, R3 & 6 +65y, R4 +48y, R5 -48y) WEATHER: Mostly sunny Wolverhampton (AW) GOING: TAPETA: STANDARD WEATHER: Mostly sunny STALLS: 7f: Outside; Remainder: Inside
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Post by Kimmy on Feb 23, 2018 9:46:10 GMT
GOOD THING
Navajo Star (6.15 Wolverhampton)
This four-year-old filly has made a good start for trainer Robyn Brisland and looked unlucky not to win on debut for the yard at Newcastle at the start of the month when run down inside the final furlong by a back-to-form rival. She built on that to score eight days ago at Chelmsford and was worth more than the winning distance of just under two lengths. She'll have to produce a career-best to follow up but she looks a rapid improver and the booking of Luke Morris is noteworthy.
11/4 Navajo Star 6:15 Wolverhampton (AW) EYECATCHER
Sword Exceed (3.50 Lingfield)
Hinted at ability in three maidens for Godolphin before being bought by Ivan Furtado, for whom he is a three-time winner from eight starts. The four-year-old has a record of 3-5 on the all-weather and looked a rising force in 7f handicaps when sauntering to the front having been held up in the early stages to land a decent Lingfield contest just over a month ago. Now running off a mark of 86, the course-and-distance winner faces a tougher task, but he has a nice draw in stall two and the race should be run to suit.
5/1 Sword Exceed 3:50 Lingfield (AW) Let our experts point you in the direction of the winners with invaluable punting pointers delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up here to get our free newsletter every week
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