International Horse Racing

• Weld hoping for Champion pointer

  Dermot Weld expects to have a better idea of where Unaccompanied stands in the pecking order after she runs in the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown on January 29.

   
• All looking Grand for Pete

  Malcolm Jefferson is eyeing a potential Grand National bid with According To Pete following his Rowland Meyrick Chase victory at Wetherby on Boxing Day.

   
• De Kock plunders Dubai feature

  Mike de Kock got his 2012 Dubai Carnival off to the perfect start as classy mare Mahbooba showed the boys the way home in the Al Rashidiya Trial.

   
• Mome revved up for Aintree return

  Grand National hero Mon Mome will once again be targeted at the Aintree marathon following his excellent run in defeat at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day.

   
• Sizing steps up Cheltenham preparations

  Champion Chase hero Sizing Europe remains on course for next month’s Tied Cottage Chase at Punchestown ahead of the defence of his Cheltenham crown.

   
• Punjabi sidelined again

  Connections of 2009 Champion Hurdle hero Punjabi have confirmed the gelding will once again miss the entire season through injury.

   
• Asaid has final word for Ferguson

  John Ferguson’s runners continue to add a fascinating new dimension to the jumps season as the trainer struck with his first juvenile hurdler at Huntingdon.

   
• Cue set for Arkle prep

  Colin Tizzard plans to give Cue Card one more outing before having a tilt at the Arkle Trophy at the Cheltenham Festival.

   
• Son shows Henderson Champion Spirit

  Nicky Henderson feels Spirit Son is the dark horse among his three-strong contenders for the Champion Hurdle.

   
• Long to Run without earplugs

  Long Run is likely to be without earplugs when he bids to defend his Cheltenham Gold Cup crown in March.

   
• Master Minded future in limbo

  Owner Clive Smith believes a decision on whether Master Minded will race again may not be made for another year.

   
• Smith proud of Kauto legacy

  Owner Clive Smith believes Kauto Star’s achievements stack up well against those of any other jumping heavyweight in history.

   
• Dermot Weld hoping for smooth Passage

  Dermot Weld reports Rite Of Passage to be showing the right signs ahead of his bid to reclaim the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot.

   
• Return trip to Auckland for Rawiller

  Nash Rawiller is hoping he can fit New Zealand’s richest race into his schedule after a successful trip to Ellerslie on Sunday.

   
• Chicharita emerges as Oaks hopeful

  Trainer Mike Moroney flagged an ambitious plan to win an Oaks on either side of the Tasman after Chicharita’s upset win at Ellerslie on Sunday.

   
• McCoy hoping for early return

  Champion jumps jockey Tony McCoy says he hopes to be back riding in days rather than weeks although he concedes his chances of riding a record 300 winners this season has gone.

   
• McCoy suffers rib injury at Taunton

  Tony McCoy faces a spell on the sidelines after sustaining broken ribs at Taunton on Friday.

   
• Betfair contrite over gaffe

  Betfair has made another apology to punters over the bizarre betting patterns in Wednesday’s Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown and the delay in settling the outcome.

   
• No rush for Grands target

  David Pipe will not be making an imminent decision as to whether Grands Crus tackles the Gold Cup rather than a novice option at Cheltenham.

   
• Super Sync subdues Golden duo

  Cheltenham Gold Cup ambitions for Rubi Light and Quito De La Roque received a serious blow as British raider Synchronised won the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown.