February 2007

Storm clouds gathering over Black Jack's World Hurdle bid

Editor / 28 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Black Jack Ketchum has eased in the betting for the World Hurdle following a warning by trainer Jonjo O'Neill that he will not run at the Cheltenham Festival if the ground doesn't improve over the next two weeks. After a very wet February the official going at the course is currently soft, and heavy in places - the sort of ground said to have been responsible for Black Jack Ketchum losing his unbeaten record in the Cleeve Hurdle at the...Read more »

Pair progressing well for Hob

Editor / 27 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Detroit City and Fair Along have both pleased trainer Philip Hobbs in a workout at Exeter racecourse designed to help put the finishing touches on their respective Cheltehnam Festival preparations. The former is currently ante-post favourite for the 2m Champion Hurdle, while Fair Along occupies the same position at the head of the market in the Arkle Trophy over the same trip. "It was very good indeed, Detroit City worked in front with Fair Along and the pair of them...Read more »

Hawk can soar - Swinbank

Editor / 27 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Alan Swinbank's aspirations to join the roll of honour as a winning Cheltenham Festival trainer could come to fruition if all goes to plan with his star hurdler, Sir Boreas Hawk. The North Yorkshire-based handler, best-known for his exploits with the globe-trotting middle-distance Flat campaigner, Collier Hill, is hoping Sir Boreas Hawk will triumph in a Grade 2 Hurdle at Kelso on Saturday and earn himself a trip to the Festival. He said: "He's a nice horse and I hope...Read more »

Nickname's Cheltenham bid not certain

Editor / 26 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Trainer Martin Brassil has warned punters there will be no decision made regarding the participation of Nickname until a few days before the Champion Chase. The eight-year-old recorded his fifth win of the season on Sunday, scoring by an easy 12 lengths in a contest at Naas, but will only run at Cheltenham if he has his soft ground conditions. "We won't decide until probably about three days before the race whether he will go for the Queen Mother," said...Read more »

Spirit set for Arkle

Editor / 25 February 2007 / Leave a comment

There were few ripples in the Arkle Chase market despite Paul Nicholls training the first two home in the Pendil Chase at Kempton on Saturday. Natal won the recognised trial for the two-mile novice chase, while stablemate Good Spirit finished in the runners up position on only his third ever chase outing. Nicholls indicated after the race that his main representative would be Good Spirit. "I hadn't wanted to run them against each other but when Sandown was off yesterday,...Read more »

Nil is new National favourite

Editor / 25 February 2007 / Leave a comment

is the first British-trained runner to head the Grand National betting since the Betfair market was formed shortly after last season's contest. Venetia Williams' gelding overtook his Irish rivals to trade as the market leader on 13, following a gutsy win in the Tote Eider Chase at Newcastle on Saturday. The ten-year-old has been quietly supported all year for the Aintree marathon, after finishing fourth in the event last year, and proved his liking for Liverpool when occupying the...Read more »

Schindlers back in the hunt

Editor / 24 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Two of Ireland's top novice chasers, Schindlers Hunt and Patsy Hall, clash over what is a neutral trip of 2m 4f at Naas on Sunday (15.10). Schindlers Hunt has earned his reputation over two miles and would have been a major candidate for the Arkle Trophy at the Cheltenham Festival had his stable not forgotten to enter him. Patsy Hall has been a popular outsider in the Betfair ante-post market for the Royal & SunAlliance Chase at 29, having established...Read more »

Nickname on everyone's lips

Editor / 24 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Nickname, whose quartet of wins this season has forced him down to fourth favourite in the Queen Mother Champion Chase, should have little more than an exercise gallop as he continues his preparation for the Festival at Naas on Sunday. The Martin Brassil-trained eight-year-old faces just four opponents, the best of whom is Tumbling Dice, who was 17 lengths adrift of him when they met in the Tied Cottage Chase at Punchestown earlier in the month. Brassil continues to insist...Read more »

Money talks for Hemmings

Editor / 24 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Idle Talk has been bought by owner Trevor Hemmings with a view to running in the John Smith's Grand National. Idle Talk, who is trading at 32 in the Betfair ante-post market for the Aintree marathon, becomes one of eight Hemmings-owned entries in the race, the principal one being the 2005 winner, Hedgehunter. The eight-year-old Idle Talk, who finished second in last season's SunAlliance Chase has joined the stables of Donald McCain, son of the Aintree legend, Ginger. McCain Jnr...Read more »

Terrain to suit Parrain

Editor / 23 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Francois Doumen has an excellent record in Kempton's Adonis Hurdle (15:45) having won the contest three times in the past ten years, and he once again looks to have a lively contender in Parrain. The four-year-old was quietly fancied and well supported in-play when finishing behind Poquelin on his British debut over course and distance in December and meets that rival on better terms here. Having shown his best form in France on a testing surface, it is a case...Read more »

Thornton nominates Hardy as Champion winner

Editor / 23 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Jockey Robert Thornton believes Hardy Eustace has what it takes to win the Champion Hurdle for a third time ahead of Brave Inca and Detroit City. "Detroit City has been in cracking form for the Philip Hobbs team and Richard Johnson's mount will obviously be going to Cheltenham with a great chance," Thornton told the Gloucester Echo. "He's the sort of horse who only does enough to win and I thought he was value for a lot more when he...Read more »

National winner set for chase return

Editor / 23 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Grand national winner Numbersixvalverde is due for his first outing over fences since landing the Aintree marathon last April at Fairyhouse on Saturday. Martin Brassil's charge is one of seven runners declared for the Grade Two At The Races Bobbyjo Chase. The eleven-year-old has had just two hurdle outings this season and failed to sparkle in either run. The gelding faces some useful opposition in the 3m 1f contest, including 2006 Irish Grand National winner Point Barrow, while recent Grade...Read more »

City Streets to light up Sandown

Editor / 23 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Shedding light on Jonjo O'Neill's decision to throw City Streets in at the deep end on his handicap debut at Sandown (15.55) is not easy as the five-year-old has only ever been seen out once in public. On that occasion, City Streets, allowed to go off at 20-1, wasn't apparently fancied at Taunton in novices' company, nonetheless he won doing handsprings under Noel Fehily's guidance. Tony McCoy now takes over on the J P McManus-owned gelding, about whom from a...Read more »

Newmill could make switch

Editor / 22 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Newmill could switch to the Champion Hurdle rather than defend his Queen Mother Champion Chase crown at next month's Cheltenham Festival. Trainer John Murphy has stated that unsuitably testing ground at Prestbury Park "could see us change our mind", a scenario which seems a strong possibility in view of the Met Office predicting unsettled weather in the run up the Festival. "We have left him in the Champion Hurdle to buy time and we'll see how things are nearer to...Read more »

Newmill could make switch

Editor / 22 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Newmill could switch to the Champion Hurdle rather than defend his Queen Mother Champion Chase crown at next month's Cheltenham Festival. Trainer John Murphy has stated that unsuitably testing ground at Prestbury Park "could see us change our mind", a scenario which seems a strong possibility in view of the Met Office predicting unsettled weather in the run up the Festival. "We have left him in the Champion Hurdle to buy time and we'll see how things are nearer to...Read more »

Hedgehunter to miss Gold Cup

Editor / 22 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Hedgehunter was the most notable defection from the Cheltenham Gold Cup entries announced on Wednesday morning. The eleven-year-old is expected to be aimed at the Grand National on April 14, for which he currently trades at 18.5. Other notable withdrawals include Monet's Garden, Hi Cloy and Sir Rembrandt. Monet's Garden may target the Queen Mother Champion Chase for which the grey can be backed at 26. Kauto Star remains the 2.88 favourite for the Gold Cup, ahead of last year's...Read more »

In-form McCain bids for further success

Editor / 21 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Ebony Light bids to continue trainer Donald McCain junior's purple patch in Haydock's Romania Off Plan Handicap Chase at 15:10. McCain has proved to be a chip of the old block, since taking over from his father Ginger and in the past fortnight has welcomed back seven winners at a rate of over 30 per cent, including a treble at Carlisle on Monday. Ebony Light also has an admirable record of finishing in the frame on 35 of his 47...Read more »

Don't write off The Past - O'Brien

Editor / 21 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Trainer Michael O'Brien has warned punters not to leave his Forget The Past out of calculations for this season's Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham. The nine-year-old, who finished third in last season's Gold Cup, disappointed last time out in the Irish version of the Hennessy at Leopardstown in heavy ground, having won his first two outings of the campaign. "He disappointed last time and he doesn't like that heavy ground - he never did go in it - although he has...Read more »

Hobbs happy with Cheltenham favourite

Editor / 20 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Philip Hobbs is extremely happy with the form of his Champion Hurdle contender Detroit City, after the five-year-old came through a strong piece of work on Tuesday. The grey sparkled in a morning workout leaving Hobbs wishing the race was taking place at an earlier date. "He had a serious gallop this morning, he went extremely well and we were very happy with that," he said. "I just wish the race was next week and not three weeks away, that...Read more »

Kauto will win Gold Cup - Thornton

Editor / 20 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Jockey Robert Thornton believes Kauto Star will win the Gold Cup and that too much has been made about his jumping ability. Paul Nicholls' stable star has eased slightly in the market following his win at Newbury on Saturday where he survived a last fence blunder, but Thornton believes it is fuss about nothing. "Too much is being made about Kauto Star's jumping and I think he will win the Cheltenham Gold Cup," Thornton told the Gloucestershire Echo. "A lot...Read more »

United could head to Cheltenham

Editor / 19 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Trainer Lucy Wadham is considering a crack at the Cheltenham Festival following United's runaway Fontwell success on Sunday....Read more »

Murphy wants more Convincing

Editor / 19 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Irish Triumph Hurdle hope Convincing will have one more outing before heading to Cheltenham says his trainer, John Murphy. Murphy has penciled in next Saturday's Grade 3 Juvenile Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse for Convincing, who has won his last two races by narrow margins at Punchestown and Leopardstown. Jockey Eddie Power said recently that he was "the laziest thing I've ever ridden", but connections hope he will be up for the Festival challenge ahead. Convincing is currently available at 44...Read more »

Garden is new Ryanair Chase favourite

Editor / 18 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Monet's Garden has three Cheltenham options with the Ryanair Chase looking his most likely target. The striking grey returned to form in the Commercial First Ascot Chase on Saturday, beating Thisthatandtother by an eased down eight lengths. Trainer Nicky Richards has yet to commit the gelding to a particular race but feels the Gold Cup is an unlikely destination. "I don't know which race he will run in at Cheltenham. I will discuss the Gold Cup but I would say...Read more »

No joy for Mac

Editor / 18 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Macs Joy was a drifter in the Champion Hurdle market following his defeat at odds-on in Saturday's Red Mills Trial Hurdle at Gowran Park. The eight-year-old is now trading at 14.5 for Cheltenham success after being turned over by last season's Queen Mother Champion Chase winner, Newmill, in the Grade Two contest. Trainer Jessica Harrington put the reverse down to the race coming so soon after his last outing. "His second run back could have been a factor and he's...Read more »

Overstrand earns Cheltenham bid

Editor / 17 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Rookie trainer Dr Richard Newland has set his sights on Cheltenham after his Overstrand scored for the third time this season The eight-year-old carried top weight to victory in the £80,000 Betfair Handicap Hurdle at the Ascot under Sam Jones on Saturday. The trainer may be tempted to run his stable star in either the Champion or World Hurdle for which the gelding trades at 350 and 40 respectively in the Betfair markets. "He is fantastically tough. He worked in...Read more »

In-form Fitz long odds for top jock award

Editor / 17 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Mick Fitzgerald is on a roll after a four-timer on Friday but the Irishman can be backed at long odds to be top jockey at the Cheltenham Festival. The soon-to-retire Fitzgerald notched up a quartet when steering Dancing Bay, Tarotino, Be Telling and Fiddling Again to victory at Fakenham. "It is always nice to ride nice horses like these and it has been a great afternoon," said Fitzgerald. "The last time I rode a four-timer was last year and I...Read more »

More support for Wave

Editor / 16 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Celestial Wave continues to attract support in Cheltenham's World Hurdle market after connections indicated the mare could line up on March 15. Adrian Maguire's charge has won her last three starts, including her latest at Gowran Park at the end of January. "She had a break after Gowran and is now back doing a few canters and I couldn't be more happy with her," said Maguire. "If the going was good to soft and all was well with the mare...Read more »

Carberry excited by Sublimity prospects

Editor / 15 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Irish Champion Hurdle outsider Sublimity is no back number for next month's Cheltenham Festival according to his jockey, Philip Carberry....Read more »

Next stop Arkle for Faasel

Editor / 15 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Nicky Richards is not planning to give Faasel another outing prior to the Grade 1 Arkle Chase, even though the gelding has only had one run over fences. The one-time useful hurdler made a triumphant fencing debut at Catterick (2m3f) in January when showing Euro American a clean pair of heels as soon as rider Tony Dobbin kicked in the turbo up the home straight.. "It would be doubtful if he had another race before Cheltenham. He might go to...Read more »

Dun Doire new National favourite

Editor / 14 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Dun Doire is proving to be a popular selection in Betfair's ante-post Grand National market following the announcement of the weights on Tuesday. The Tony Martin-trained gelding is the favourite at 14 after he was allocated just 10st 8lb in the Aintree marathon. Martin believes the eight-year-old's weight gives him a leading chance and is expected to give Dun Doire just one or two more outings, before the big day on April 14. The trainer said: "I'd have to be...Read more »

Demon's Golden ambition

Editor / 13 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Trainer Henrietta Knight has decided to aim Racing Demon at the Cheltenham Gold Cup in preference to the Ryanair Chase. It had been hoped Racing Demon would complete preparations for next month's Festival with a run at Ascot this Saturday, however that plan has been shelved due to the prevailing soft ground. "The ground is terrible and I would rather wait for Cheltenham, we are going for the Gold Cup," explained Henrietta, who famously sent out Best Mate to record...Read more »

Thumbs up for Salmon

Editor / 12 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Beef Or Salmon has been given the thumbs up for a fifth crack at next month's Cheltenham Gold Cup following his dramatic last-gasp victory over The Listener in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown's weekend meeting. "Beef Or Salmon was bucking and kicking when we let him out in the paddock," explained trainer Micheal Hourigan. "Blinkers seemed to help him and we'll probably leave them on for Cheltenham." The gelding has yet to better his three-and-a-half length fourth to...Read more »

Star on the drift

Editor / 11 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Kauto Star has eased slightly in the Cheltenham Gold Cup betting following a less than convincing victory at Newbury on Saturday. Paul Nicholls' stable star, who is in line to scoop a £1million bonus for connections if successful on March 16, had to pull out all the stops and survive a last-flight scare to see off French raider L'Ami in the Aon Chase. Owner Clive Smith was pleased with the win and has just one thing on his mind. "It...Read more »

Briareus blow for backers

Editor / 11 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Well supported for the Arkle over the past few months, Andrew Balding's Briareus has been ruled out for the rest of the season....Read more »

No hiding place in Game Spirit

Editor / 09 February 2007 / Leave a comment

The Cheltenham Festival has come early in the shape of the Game Spirit Chase at Newbury on Saturday, which boasts the top four home-grown contenders for the Queen Mother Champion Chase, along with France's major hope Foreman. The only horses missing from the top seven in the Betfair ante-post market for the Festival's major two-mile chasing showpiece, are Irish pair Newmill and Nickname. The most fascinating element of the race will be the return of the David Pipe-trained Well Chief...Read more »

Tough task for Patsy Hall

Editor / 09 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Patsy Hall bids to boost his chances in the Royal & SunAlliance Chase at the Cheltenham Festival by taking on genuine Gold Cup contenders at Leopardstown on Saturday. Fellow Irish SunAlliance fancy Cailin Alainn followed the same path a fortnight ago, when showing up prominently before falling three out in the Letheby & Christopher Chase at Cheltenham won by Exotic Dancer. She is now clear second favourite (8) behind Denman (3.75), in the Betfair market for the three-mile novices' event...Read more »

Hedgehunter may miss Gold Cup

Editor / 08 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Hedgehunter's Gold Cup participation was thrown into doubt on Thursday after the horse was reported to be 'sore' and in need of a rest. The 2005 Grand National winner had traded as low as 20 for the Cheltenham showpiece but trainer Willie Mullins has now suggested his gelding may miss the race. "The main aim is the Grand National and we'll have to see about Cheltenham," Mullins told BBC Sport. "I'm going to give him a few days off, I'm...Read more »

Harrington pleased with Macs return effort

Editor / 07 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Following a highly satisfactory seasonal return when third in last week's AIG hurdle, trainer Jessica Harrington has mapped out Macs Joy's route to a return visit to Cheltenham and another crack at the Champion Hurdle in which he finished a gallant second to Brave Inca last March. Harrington told At The Races: "I was absolutely thrilled with his performance in the AIG (Europe Champion Hurdle). He has definitely improved physically for the run. "I know he always runs well first...Read more »

Pacemaker for Kauto?

Editor / 06 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Royal Auclair, who made the frame in both the Gold Cup and the Grand National in 2005, could be used as a pacemaker for stablemate Kauto Star in Newbury's Aon Chase on Saturday. Trainer Paul Nicholls will be hoping that the Newbury race does not become a tactical farce, a distinct possibility when only seven horses, including the champion trainer's trio of Kauto Star, Royal Auclair and Denman, were originally declared on Monday A false race looks less likely now...Read more »

Echo to make a Point

Editor / 06 February 2007 / Leave a comment

2m Novices' Chase. Carlisle, Wednesday, 14.50 The £10,000 feature race (14.50) on the card was won last year by Monet's Garden and though there is nothing in this field to match Nicky Richards' grey, it would be a great shame if the meeting is lost to the weather. Two progressive young chasers stand out, Echo Point and Arkle Trophy entry Regal Heights. Echo Point, a stablemate of Monet's Garden but with no fancy Cheltenham Festival entries, was backed as if...Read more »

Support for Hardy Eustace

Editor / 05 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Hardy Eustace has been well supported in the Betfair Ante Post market for the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, following trainer Dessie Hughes' comments that he is 'raring to take on favourite Detroit City'. The Philips Hobbs trained Detroit City produced a gutsy display to repel the challenge of fellow festival hopeful Straw Bear to land Sandown's Agfa UK Hurdle on Saturday, thus maintaining his position as market leader to lift the hurdling crown in March. However, it appears...Read more »

Nickname needs his ground

Editor / 05 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Nickname has been quietly supported for the Queen Mother Champion Chase all season, but it's been revealed that he may only run if the going is soft. Martin Brassil's gelding easily won his latest Cheltenham preparation race on Sunday at Punchestown under a smooth ride from Ruby Walsh. Speaking about Sunday's race, Brassil said: "Ruby Walsh said he settled lovely and they went a good gallop. "He got checked on the final turn, but then he got a grand run...Read more »

National trio come through trial

Editor / 05 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Three Grand National entries went through their paces over hurdles at Punchestown on Sunday, with A New Story leading home the trio. Michael Hourigan's nine-year-old finished fourth in the three-mile contest ahead of possible Aintree rivals Dun Doire and 2006 winner Numbersixvalverde. None of the three could land a serious blow to the winner Contessa Messina, though the trio came through the race well. Dun Doire's jockey Ruby Walsh was not too disappointed with his mount's performance, having finished four...Read more »

Mountain has yet to peak

Editor / 03 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Mountain scrambled home on his hurdling debut at Sandown on Saturday but remains third favourite in the Betfair ante-post market for the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. Mountain proved high class on the Flat for Aidan O'Brien, finishing just out of the frame in the Derby, Irish Derby and the St Leger and had been the subject of encouraging reports from the schooling grounds of Jonjo O'Neill's Jackdaws Castle base. He has traded as low as 7.2 for the...Read more »

De Valira in the front line

Editor / 02 February 2007 / Leave a comment

Irish-trained De Valira, who has been eclipsed as favourite for the Surpreme Novices' Hurdle at the Festival by Nicky Henderson's mare Amaretto Rose, completes his preparation for Cheltenham in the Byrne Group Plc Novice Hurdle at Punchestown on Sunday. De Valira has won both of his starts over hurdles and showed gritty battling qualities when holding off the hot favourite Catch Me in a Grade 2 event at Leopardstown over Christmas. Sunday's race will be no walkover for De Valira...Read more »

Detroit to motor home

Editor / 02 February 2007 / Leave a comment

In the likely event that Champion Hurdle favourite Detroit City will have to make his own running at Sandown on Saturday (14:10), there is a possibility that he might trade bigger in-play than pre-race. The winner of last year's Triumph Hurdle and Cesarewitch on the Flat is a thoroughly admirable racehorse in every way and it will be a major surprise if he doesn't emerge as an even stronger prospect for the big one at Cheltenham in March. No five-year-old...Read more »