March 2007

Nicholls happy with National hope

Editor / 30 March 2007 / Leave a comment

Eurotrek is on course for a big run in the Grand National according to trainer Paul Nicholls. The gelding, winner of the Becher Chase at Aintree over the National fences in November, has been laid out for the Merseyside marathon all season with Nicholls believing him to be a horse who will go well, despite a long absence from the racetrack. "After the Becher Chase we kept him fresh and he's very, very well," he said. "We've trained him for...Read more »

Hedgehunter all set for National prep

Editor / 30 March 2007 / Leave a comment

Trainer Willie Mullins has revealed he might give his 2005 Grand National winner Hedgehunter a prep race over hurdles at Limerick before returning for another crack at the Aintree marathon on April 14. The 11-year-old, who also finished a gallant second under top-weight to Numbersixvalverde in the 2006 National, has not been seen out since his fifth placing at Thurles last November because of a minor injury. "Hedgehunter has done two bits for of fast work and seems to be...Read more »

Paul Carberry to partner Aintree favourite

Editor / 26 March 2007 / Leave a comment

Despite being out of action for over a month, jockey Paul Carberry has been booked to partner ante-post favourite Dun Doire in the Johns Smith's Grand National at Aintree on April 14. The eight-year-old's trainer Tony Martin confirmed the news, telling reporters: "I've asked Paul to ride Dun Doire once he is fully fit, and he has accepted the mount. "He knows the horse well and won the Thyestes Chase on him last season." Carberry, who won the 1999 Grand...Read more »

Trouble to miss Aintree showpiece

Editor / 25 March 2007 / Leave a comment

JP McManus will have one less John Smith's Grand National entrant after the news Far From Trouble will not run in the Aintree marathon on April 14. The news will come as no surprise to watchers of the Betfair Grand National market who have seen the gelding drift out significantly from a low of 14 to over 30 earlier this week. Despite travelling to England, the eight-year-old missed his intended Cheltenham target due to injury and has now been confirmed...Read more »

Carberry to ride favourite

Editor / 24 March 2007 / Leave a comment

Paul Carberry, who missed the Cheltenham Festival through injury, has been booked to ride the ante-post favourite Dun Doire in the John Smith's Grand National at Aintree on April 14. Dun Doire's nine wins have been gained in the hands of seven different jockeys but trainer Tony Martin has given the nod to Carberry, who won the big race in 1999 on Bobbyjo. Carberry last partnered Dun Doire to success in the Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park 14 months ago,...Read more »

Kim Bailey seeks new National jockey

Editor / 20 March 2007 / Leave a comment

Kim Bailey is on the look out for a jockey for his Grand National hope Longshanks following the news that Jason Maguire has decided to ride Idle Talk. Maguire partnered Longshanks to his latest success at Newbury in November and has done riding work on the ten-year-old throughout the winter. However, the jockey has made the decision to ride Idle Talk, with whom he has a longer association. "Jason rang me this morning and told me he'd be riding Idle...Read more »

Mercy says Simon can take National chance

Editor / 19 March 2007 / Leave a comment

Veteran retired trainer Mercy Rimell has given the go-ahead for her Racing Post Chase winner Simon to take his chance in the John Smith's Grand National at Aintree on April 14. Rimell, widow of the legendary trainer Fred who sent out four winners of the world's greatest steeplechase, has finally been persuaded by trainer John Spearing to give the nod to Simon taking his chance over the awesome Aintree fences. Rimell told the Racing Post: "I have agreed that Simon...Read more »

Desperation for Desperandum and Ladalko connections

Editor / 19 March 2007 / Leave a comment

Connections of leading Grand National contenders Nil Desperandum and Ladalko have been left shell-shocked, after both horses suffered injuries in Saturday's Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter. Nil Desperandum, ante-post favourite for the Aintree marathon, suffered a broken pastern early in the contest and had to be humanely destroyed. Meanwhile Ladalko, who was never travelling well, ruptured an artery and is out for the season. Venetia Williams, heartbroken trainer of Nil Desperandum, told the Racing Post: "I just can't believe it,...Read more »

Exotic Dancer likely to skip National

Editor / 18 March 2007 / Leave a comment

Betfair antepost backers of Exotic Dancer have been dealt a blow following the news that the ultra-consistent chaser is likely to skip the John Smith's Grand National next month in favour of taking his chance in the Betfair Bowl at the Aintree feature meeting. The Jonjo O'Neill trained seven-year-old ran a cracking race in the Cheltenham Gold Cup behind Kauto Star last Friday, the second time he has chased home the Paul Nicholls superstar at Prestbury Park. Exotic Dancer is...Read more »

Dun Doire heads National trading

Editor / 18 March 2007 / Leave a comment

Dun Doire is the new Grand National favourite after scoring at Down Royal on Saturday for trainer Tony Martin. The eight-year-old was far from convincing in beating the small field over the 3m 2f trip and was all out to hold off the challenge of Romaha to score by three-quarters of a length . Jockey Bobby McNally also had to survive a scare at the eighth from home when nearly brought down by News Item. Despite the narrow margin of...Read more »

Monkerhostin's fine National trial

Editor / 17 March 2007 / Leave a comment

Five of the first seven home in the Gold Cup at Cheltenham on Friday remain in the John Smith's Grand National field, with Monkerhostin arguably running the most eye-catching Aintree trial. And trainer Philip Hobbs has already nominated the National as his 10-year-old's most likely next engagement. Exotic Dancer (second), Turpin Green (third), Monkerhostin (fourth), State Of Play (sixth) and L'Ami (seventh) all did their reputations no harm behind Kauto Star, but it was the Hobbs horse who finished best...Read more »

Fallers head 2008 betting

Editor / 16 March 2007 / Leave a comment

Two recently opened markets are for the 2008 World Hurdle and Champion Chase and both are headed by horses who failed to complete their respective races this year. Black Jack Ketchum is the early market leader in the World Hurdle market despite crashing out at Cheltenham at the third flight on Thursday in a race won by Inglis Drever, while Well Chief heads the trading in the Queen Mother Champion Chase despite only making it to the second fence in...Read more »

Joes may be edged out of National

Editor / 16 March 2007 / Leave a comment

Cheltenham winner, Joes Edge, has been backed for the Grand National although the gelding is far from certain of making the cut. The Ferdy Murphy-trained gelding got up in the shadow of the post to land the William Hill Trophy Handicap Chase on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival and after initial interest in the market when the 10-year-old was matched as low as 21, his price has now settled at around the 40 mark for the Aintree marathon....Read more »

Wichita to lay it on the line

Editor / 15 March 2007 / Leave a comment

Wichita Lineman is a worthy favourite for the three-mile novices' hurdle at Cheltenham (14.35), a race his trainer and jockey (Jonjo O'Neill/Tony McCoy) won 12 months ago with Black Jack Ketchum. Despite the major disappointment surrounding the fall of Black Jack Ketchum on Thursday, Wichita Lineman's chances have been boosted by the events of the week. He has gained decisions this season over Massini's Maguire, Tidal Bay and Silverburn, and they were the first, second and fourth home in Wednesday's...Read more »

Ladies' day for Lounaos in Triumph Hurdle

Editor / 15 March 2007 / Leave a comment

Fillies have a poor record in the Triumph Hurdle, but punters are confident that Lounaos can deliver the goods at the Festival in this week's Jcb Triumph Hurdle. If successful, the four-year-old would become just the fourth of her sex to win the juvenile hurdlers' championship at Cheltenham on Friday. The Eoin Griffin-trained filly won her first two starts over hurdles in smooth style, but actually enhanced her reputation in defeat on her latest outing at Leopardstown. Despite her inexperience,...Read more »

Denman hits Gold Cup market

Editor / 15 March 2007 / Leave a comment

Denman is already as short as 5.4 for the 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup after maintaining his unbeaten record over fences. The Paul Nicholls-trained seven-year-old was an impressive winner of the Royal & SunAlliance Chase at the Cheltenham Festival on Wednesday, with a ten-length victory over Snowy Morning. Betfair punters obviously liked what they saw, as the only horse at a lower price for steeplechasing's most prestigious prize in the ante-post market is Denman's stable companion Kauto Star. Denman put in...Read more »

Exciting finish to the World Hurdle on the cards

Editor / 15 March 2007 / Leave a comment

The World Hurdle has got a reputation for producing one of the most exciting at the Festival and with many of the field closely matched there is every reason to suspect punters will be given a treat again. The ante-post market has centred around whether Black Jack Ketchum will take his place in the field. Having been supported as low as 1.85, his price drifted out to 11 with heavy ground forecast for the track. However, despite Tony McCoy suggesting...Read more »

Fifth-time lucky for Beef Or Salmon

Editor / 14 March 2007 / Leave a comment

Beef or Salmon has been declared alongside 18 other runner's for Friday's Gold Cup with the 11-year-old having his fifth crack at the famous contest. The one-time 'Great Irish Hope' has failed to live up to expectations and has twice finished pulled up in the race, disappointed last year and came closest in 2004 when finishing fourth behind Best Mate. However, co-owner Jo Craig believes the wetter than usual conditions can play to the strengths of the Michael Hourigan-trained gelding....Read more »

Sublimity favourite for follow-up success

Editor / 14 March 2007 / Leave a comment

Tuesday's Champion Hurdle winner, Sublimity, can already be traded to follow up his success at next year's Festival. The John Carr-trained gelding shocked many pundits when putting in a fine display to get the better of Brave Inca and Afsoun in a race which saw hot favourite Detroit City beaten from the first flight. Carr admitted that he was thinking of running the seven-year-old in a handicap later in the week but felt his charge deserved a crack at the...Read more »

Concerto faces biggest test

Editor / 13 March 2007 / Leave a comment

2m5f Ballymore Properties Novices' Hurdle, Cheltenham, Wednesday, 14.00 As far as the Irish contingent are concerned, Aran Concerto has long been one of their bankers after hacking up on all four National Hunt starts, one in a bumper, plus three over hurdles. The unbeaten six-year-old has been the subject of rave reviews by his trainer Noel Meade, although Aran Concerto now takes a big hike in class and is no gimme against a crop of battle-hardened opponents. Layers wishing to...Read more »

Drying ground to boost Brook bid

Editor / 13 March 2007 / Leave a comment

Ashley Brook's bid to win the Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase has been boosted by the drying ground at Cheltenham. Trainer Kevin Bishop knows that overturning his stable-star's emphatic defeat by Well Chief on a very heavy surface at Newbury last month is no easy task, but he believes the nine-year-old wasn't his normal exuberant self on that occasion. "I thought we ran about a stone below form last time out, but we're not making any excuses as Well...Read more »

Unlucky Catch Me relishing Concerto rematch

Editor / 13 March 2007 / Leave a comment

Unlucky Catch Me relishing Concerto rematch Top Irish trainer, Edward O'Grady, is relishing the prospect of sending out Catch Me for an eagerly-anticipated rematch with Aran Concerto in the Ballymore Properties Novices' Hurdle. The pair renew rivalry in the 2m5f Cheltenham Festival contest with Catch Me having forfeited the chance to beat his rival with a dramatic fall when they were fighting out the finish of a 2m2f Grade 1 event at Leopardstown last month. "It depends on which camp...Read more »

Champion Hurdle promises to be a thriller

Editor / 12 March 2007 / Leave a comment

The Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle (Cheltenham 15:15) might be lacking in numbers relative to previous renewals, but what race lacks in quantity in more than makes up for in quality. Detroit City has been a solid ante-post favourite for a long time and remains unbeaten in his last eight races; seven high class events over hurdles and his major flat race success, when justifying favouritism to land the Cesarewitch. Philip Hobbs' grey flies the flag for the home team and...Read more »

King hands de Solzen Arkle challenge

Editor / 12 March 2007 / Leave a comment

Trainer Alan King has confirmed that My Way de Solzen will definitely take his chance in Tuesday's Irish Independent Arkle Trophy, in preference to a bid for the Ryanair Chase later in the week. King believes that last year's World Hurdle hero will cope well with the drop back to two miles especially with the ground sure to be testing. Speaking to the Racing Post, the trainer said: "I walked the ground this morning and in my opinion it's still...Read more »

Detroit faces small Champion field

Editor / 12 March 2007 / Leave a comment

Champion Hurdle favourite Detroit City will be up against a maximum of just 10 opponents when he faces the starter for the highlight on Tuesday, the first day of this year's Cheltenham Festival. Philip Hobbs' grey is bidding to keep the title on home soil for the first time since his stable companion Rooster Booster landed the event in 2003. But Detroit City will have to be on the top of his game to fend off defending champion Brave Inca,...Read more »

Ketchum camp confident

Editor / 11 March 2007 / Leave a comment

Things look brighter for supporters of Black Jack Ketchum after trainer Jonjo O'Neill suggested that his star hurdler still has a chance of making Thursday's World Hurdle. Doubts about his participation heightened last week when the Irishman stated the gelding would not line up in the marathon contest if the ground was too testing. "He's in grand form and we want to run as long as the ground is right, so the dry spell has come at the right time,"...Read more »

Leading contenders stand their ground

Editor / 10 March 2007 / Leave a comment

There were no surprise withdrawals at the latest confirmation stage for Friday's Gold Cup at the Cheltenham Festival. The favourite Kauto Star stands his ground alongside other leading fancies Exotic Dancer and The Listener. Paul Nicholls' Kauto Star has dominated the Betfair market throughout the winter and is currently trading at 2.9 ahead of Exotic Dancer on 6.4. The Listener is next best at 10 with State of Play on 13. Both Our Vic and Racing Demon have been declared...Read more »

Wind looks clear form choice

Editor / 10 March 2007 / Leave a comment

Although beaten 40 lengths on his last outing, Witch Wind looks to be the clear form pick in the handicap hurdle at Market Rasen (16:20). The gelding finished well down the field in the Rendlesham Hurdle at Haydock, but in the context of this race that form reads very well. Previously the seven-year-old had scored well at Kelso in a competitive heat and although he won all out that day, the gelding may still be too strong for this field....Read more »

More Champion non runners

Editor / 10 March 2007 / Leave a comment

As trading topped the £1.5 million mark in the Champion Hurdle, three Irish-trained hurdlers were announced as non starters in Tuesday's feature. Macs Joy, Harchibald and Al Eile are all notable absentees as the start of the Festival draws closer. Macs Joy had been the most heavily traded of the trio with trainer Jessica Harrington reporting all was not well with her eight-year-old. "He didn't work this morning and he's a non-runner in the Champion Hurdle," she said. "He's pulled...Read more »

Soft conditions forecast for Cheltenham

Editor / 08 March 2007 / Leave a comment

'Soft' is the trading favourite to be the official going when the Cheltenham Festival gets underway on Tuesday. The Betfair market sees Soft as the market leader at 1.82 ahead of Good to Soft on 2.74. The market shifted following a statement by clerk of the course Simon Claisse on Thursday. "The old course may well come up soft on Tuesday," said Claisse. "Thursday is glorious. We have a clear blue sky, sunshine and not a cloud in sight. "The...Read more »

Demon is Ryanair possible

Editor / 08 March 2007 / Leave a comment

Racing Demon is tipped to run in the Ryanair Chase next Thursday rather than line-up in Friday's Gold Cup. Henrietta Knight's star chaser was thought a likely Gold Cup contender but the trainer feels the heavy ground will be against the seven-year-old. "I had a talk with the owner and we are strongly leaning towards the Ryanair Chase now, because we think the ground is going to be pretty testing," she told the Racing Post. "He will be left in...Read more »

Fitz back on L'Ami

Editor / 07 March 2007 / Leave a comment

Veteran jockey Mick Fitzgerald has picked up the ride on the French-trained L'Ami in the Cheltenham Gold Cup next week, in perhaps his last season before retirement. The only horse to have given big-race favourite Kauto Star a race this season, L'Ami has been rejected by champion Tony McCoy in favour of Exotic Dancer. Fitzgerald announced last year that this would be his final season but after a good spell of results, he is now having second thoughts. The 36-year-old...Read more »

Longshanks on schedule

Editor / 07 March 2007 / Leave a comment

Longshanks remains on course for the John Smith's Grand National after the latest forfeit stage, which left 106 horses in the Aintree showpiece. Trained by the now-Gloucestershire-based Kim Bailey, who won the race in 1990 with Mr Frisk, Longshanks has been balloted out of two Nationals but fears that he may miss the cut again are fading fast. There are now just 46 horses above Longshanks, whose two previous visits to Aintree have resulted in placed efforts in the Topham...Read more »

Ruby's sparkling chance

Editor / 06 March 2007 / Leave a comment

's chances of ending up as top jockey at the Cheltenham Festival next week improved markedly on Tuesday. Trainer Colm Murphy finally confirmed Walsh as the jockey for Champion Hurdler, Brave Inca, while further downpours in Gloucestershire over the weekend have prompted Martin Brassil to report that he is now "very tempted" to run the mudlark Nickname in the Queen Mother Champion Chase. Nickname has forced his way into Champion Chase contention by winning his four most recent races, the...Read more »

Pipe's Festival fever

Editor / 06 March 2007 / Leave a comment

Punters appear convinced that can land his first Festival victory on day one of Cheltenham. The money has been pouring in for two of his 14 entries in the William Hill Trophy Chase, a race which is not among the 34 Festival successes gained by his record-breaking father, Martin. The Pipe-trained Little Brick (8) is now vying for favouritism with the Christy Roche-trained Far From Trouble (7.4) in the three-mile contest, while the out-of-form Commercial Flyer has been well...Read more »

Richards keeps a weather eye out for Monet's

Editor / 05 March 2007 / Leave a comment

Trainer Nicky Richards is just one of a growing band of handlers anxiously keeping a close eye on the deteriorating weather ahead of next week's Cheltenham Festival. With the prospect of 'heavy' going at the meeting for the first time in nearly 20 years, Richards is keeping his options open before deciding if Monet's Garden will contest the Champion Chase or the Ryanair Chase. Richards told the Racing Post: "He's won on heavy but not in the top league, and...Read more »

Irish pinning Gold Cup hopes on Beef

Editor / 05 March 2007 / Leave a comment

Although he has failed to perform well at the track in all four previous attempts in the Gold Cup, Beef Or Salmon now appears the main hope for the Irish in next Friday's Cheltenham centrepiece. Michael Hourigan's multiple Grade 1 winner has never looked at ease on the undulating Cheltenham track, but with the news last week that War Of Attrition misses the races and will be unable to defend his title, Beef Or Salmon has attracted steady market support...Read more »

Well backed Express bought for Cheltenham success

Editor / 04 March 2007 / Leave a comment

Berings Express, who has been well supported for the Champion Bumper at The Cheltenham Festival on March 14, has been bought by Derrick Smith. The owner, known better for his connection to flat racing, bought the horse earlier this week and will race at the Festival for trainer Nicolas Clement before being sent to Jonjo O'Neil. "Berings Express is a nice type and we have given him plenty of time," said Clement. "We have always thought he might turn into...Read more »

Ketchum continues to drift

Editor / 04 March 2007 / Leave a comment

Black Jack Ketchum continues to drift in the World Hurdle market and can now be traded as big as 4.7 for the feature race at Cheltenham on March 15. The one-time 'Festival Banker', who was matched as low as 1.86, has been sliding out in the betting since trainer Jonjo O'Neill stated during the week he would not risk his stable star if the ground is too heavy. Black Jack Ketchum's only defeat was suffered on heavy ground in last...Read more »

Warner sweet on State Of Play

Editor / 03 March 2007 / Leave a comment

Terry Warner, who owns Champion Hurdle favourite, Detroit City, believes State Of Play could be the one horse to lower Kauto Star's colours in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. The 74-year-old was impressed by Evan William's gelding when he won the Hennessy Gold Cup in November. "I saw him win the Hennessy at Newbury very well and I thought he looked like a proper racehorse," he said. "He's not run since and he's obviously being prepared for the Gold Cup. "His...Read more »

Ground key to Copsale

Editor / 03 March 2007 / Leave a comment

Nicky Henderson has identified two possible Cheltenham entries for his recent winner, Copsale Lad, with the ground likely to be the determining factor. After pulling up on his two chase starts this season, Copsale Lad put in an excellent display to win a competitive handicap hurdle at Newbury in early February. If the ground remains soft the 10-year-old is likely to run in the Coral Cup on March 14, but if it dries out enough then the gelding may head...Read more »

Officier to pull rank

Editor / 02 March 2007 / Leave a comment

Newbury, Saturday 14:10 (2m 2f 110yd Handicap Chase) Officier De Reserve was earmarked for the Jewson Novices' Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival after winning on his British debut at Hereford on Monday, and he looks like being a short price under his penalty in the 14:10 at Newbury. Apart from a 'Kauto Star moment' when he tried to ignore the last fence and ploughed straight through it, this ex-French horse had jumped well and simply sauntered to victory. Trouncing...Read more »

Carl's bumper hand

Editor / 02 March 2007 / Leave a comment

Carl Llewellyn has never won the Weatherbys Champion Bumper as a jockey, but the 41-year-old is determined to put that right in his first full season as a trainer. Llewellyn has made a blistering start in his new role and could saddle no fewer than four fancied contenders in the richly-endowed National Hunt Flat race at the Cheltenham Festival. Llewellyn's Den Of Iniquity, unbeaten in two starts, is the shortest-priced of the home-trained defence at 12.5. But the two-time Grand...Read more »

Mayo makes it race to relish

Editor / 02 March 2007 / Leave a comment

Whyso Mayo, who started at 20-1 when winning the Christie's Foxhunter Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last year, has been confirmed as one of 43 entries for this year's renewal. The Ray Hurley-trained 10-year-old has won all three of his starts since his Festival success and is as short as 3.25 in the Betfair ante-post market to repeat his win in the big amateur riders' prize. Whyso Mayo looks like being difficult to depose as favourite but still faces stiff...Read more »

Ungaro a Festival doubt

Editor / 01 March 2007 / Leave a comment

Ungaro is by no means a certain runner in the Royal & SunAlliance Chase at the Cheltenham Festival despite trading at 14 in the staying novices' highlight over fences. Only Denman (2.5), Cailin Alainn (8.2) and Dom d'Orgeval (13.5) are shorter in the Betfair ante-post market. The ground is currently riding heavy at Cheltenham after persistent rain and Barry Simpson, racing manager to Ungaro's owner Sir Robert Ogden, warned: "If it is very heavy ground we probably wouldn't run and...Read more »

Classy Ouninpohja heads market

Editor / 01 March 2007 / Leave a comment

Ouninpohja continues to prove popular in the Betfair ante-post market for the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, a race in which he bids to emulate the victory of Desert Quest in the same colours last year. Ouninpohja is the clear favourite for the competitive handicap which closes the four-day extravaganza at 9 ahead of Irish raider Spring The Que (14). Desert Quest is also being targeted at a County Hurdle repeat (available at 19) rather than a tilt at...Read more »