Andy Stewart admits owning Big Buck’s has become a “nervous responsibility” as his bid to win the World Hurdle for a fourth time draws ever closer. The Paul Nicholls-trained nine-year-old would move ahead of Inglis Drever in the record books as the only four-time winner of the race should he… Read More »
Sizing Europe passed his final serious test before the Queen Mother Champion Chase with a satisfactory workout at the Curragh on Monday. Trainer Henry de Bromhead said the reigning champion chaser thrived in a 10-furlong (2000m) spin under regular jockey Andrew Lynch. De Bromhead will now tread a cautious path… Read More »
Malcolm Jefferson will give According To Pete an easy couple of weeks after his fine run at Kelso on Saturday before building him back up for the Grand National. The North Yorkshire trainer was delighted with the 11-year-old’s effort in taking second place behind Master Of The Hall in the… Read More »
Kauto Star’s chances of competing in the Cheltenham Gold Cup will hinge upon a “D-Day” workout on Saturday, owner Clive Smith said. The magnificent 12-year-old chaser, twice a winner of the Cheltenham Festival centrepiece, was last Thursday reported as 50-50 about running on Friday week following a bad schooling fall… Read More »
Deacon Blues, in the frame to provide Royal Ascot opposition for Black Caviar, will miss the 2012 racing season because of injury. Trainer James Fanshawe said Deacon Blues, potentially the best sprinter in England for many years, had suffered a tear to a tendon. Scans taken on Saturday showed the… Read More »
Trainer Donald McCain reports Grand National hero Ballabriggs in rude health following his encouraging comeback performance at Kelso on Saturday. The 11-year-old finished second in the Premier Chase 12 months ago before going on to claim Aintree glory, and although beaten a little further into fourth in this year’s renewal… Read More »
Soul’s triumphant Dubai debut last week could have earned the stakeswinning sprinter the chance to take on his former Australian stablemate Sepoy on World Cup night. Soul won three of his 12 starts in Australia when prepared by Darley’s head trainer Peter Snowden before being transferred to Sheikh Mohammed’s Godolphin… Read More »
A Derby win in New Zealand with Silent Achiever hasn’t convinced Cambridge trainer Roger James to take on the colts and geldings in Sydney this autumn. On Saturday Silent Achiever became the first filly since 1993 to win the New Zealand Derby (2400m), coping admirably with a slow Ellerslie track… Read More »
A tearful Roger James rated Silent Achiever among the best horses he’s trained after she became the first filly since 1993 to win the New Zealand Derby (2400m). Silent Achiever coped admirably with a slow Ellerslie track, drawing away in the last 250m to win the $NZ750,000 ($A586,877) Classic. James,… Read More »
Further revisions to the rules regarding the use of the whip are due to come into force next week. The British Horseracing Authority has confirmed further amendments have been made to the controversial guidelines and the changes will come into force on Tuesday – exactly one week before the start… Read More »
Mickael Barzalona will move to Newmarket in the spring after becoming a full-time member of the Godolphin team. The 20-year-old Frenchman made his name riding for Andre Fabre in his native country, with the duo’s biggest success coming when Pour Moi powered home in the Derby at Epsom last June…. Read More »
Tony Martin insists Bog Warrior will not be heading to the Cheltenham Festival unless Prestbury Park gets some rain during the next couple of weeks. The eight-year-old, who has won three of his four starts over fences, features among the entries for the Racing Post Arkle, the Jewson Novices’ Chase… Read More »
Trainer Paul Nicholls insists Kauto Star still has “a great chance” of running in the Cheltenham Gold Cup on March 16. The legendary 12-year-old gelding, twice a winner of the Gold Cup, was on Thursday reported as 50-50 for the highlight of the Cheltenham Festival after suffering a bad fall… Read More »
Top jockey James McDonald is confident Silent Achiever will handle the footing in Saturday’s New Zealand Derby (2400m) if she gets to the post. Driving rain is predicted for Auckland at the weekend, potentially turning the $NZ750,000 ($A587,406) Group One contest at Ellerslie into a difficult race to predict. Silent… Read More »
Soft ground could tempt Victor Dartnall to run Giles Cross in the John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree rather than the Irish equivalent. Having been placed in several big staying chases, including the last two renewals of the Welsh National, Giles Cross landed the Grand National Trial at Haydock last… Read More »
Paul Nicholls said the coughing which affected around a dozen horses at his Somerset stables remained under control. With the Cheltenham Festival just a fortnight away, the health of his string is more important than ever, especially as the trainer is preparing the likes of Big Buck’s for his fourth… Read More »
Frankel took to the gallops for the first time this year on Tuesday morning for a gentle piece of work on the Al Bahathri at Newmarket. Unbeaten in nine starts to date, Sir Henry Cecil’s wonder-horse dominated the 2011 flat season with a string of phenomenal performances, including a breathtaking… Read More »
Nicky Henderson’s view of the Cheltenham Gold Cup does not differ vastly from the bookmakers, with the trainer predicting an ultra-close fifth clash between Long Run and Kauto Star. Last season was dominated by Henderson’s Long Run, when he crushed the rival five years his senior in both the King… Read More »
Nicky Henderson reports Binocular to be fighting fit ahead of his bid to regain the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in two weeks time. The 2010 winner was unable to defend his crown 12 months ago and struggled to regain his best form when he returned to action last spring and… Read More »
It is hard to believe, given the Melbourne Cup is still eight months away, that a race in Dubai could be considered a potential Melbourne Cup guide. However, Thursday’s Nad Al Sheba Trophy (2810m) looks to be a fascinating contest for Melbourne Cup enthusiasts. The race will feature one of… Read More »
