International Horse Racing

• 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.

   
• Confusion as Betfair suspends market

  Betfair is blaming a technical glitch for a trading frenzy at inflated odds on the favourite in a race at Leopardstown and has declared the bets void.

   
• Crus in pole position for Pipe

  David Pipe feels Grands Crus “upped the ante” when winning the Grade One Feltham Novices’ Chase in fine style on Boxing Day.

   
• Master Minded’s career in balance

  Master Minded is likely to remain at the veterinary hospital in Newmarket for a month after having surgery on a leg injury.

   
• Pipe could have Grands design on Gold

  avid Pipe is not ruling out a potential Cheltenham Gold Cup bid with Grands Crus after the promising grey made it three wins from as many starts over fences in the Feltham Novices’ Chase at Kempton.

   
• Kauto Star wins record fifth King George

  Kauto Star won a record fifth King George VI Chase on Monday to cement his standing as the best chaser of his generation.

   
• Shez Sinsational takes out Zabeel Classic

  The 2012 Melbourne Cup is the long-term aim for Monday’s Zabeel Classic winner Shez Sinsational.

   
• Planet Rock wins Eight Carat Classic

  Planet Rock has confirmed her place at the top of the pecking order of New Zealand’s three-year-old fillies with an easy victory in the Eight Carat Classic.

   
• Knight’s Tour takes Great Northern Guineas

  Jockey James McDonald rates Knight’s Tour better than Victoria Derby winner Sangster after his victory in the Great Northern Guineas at Ellerslie.