International Horse Racing

• Martin planning National Alliance

  Tony Martin expects decent spring ground at Aintree to bring out the best in Northern Alliance when he lines up in the Grand National on Saturday week.

   
• Dunlop highlights Khan claims

  Native Khan could be the forgotten horse in the 2000 Guineas, according to his trainer Ed Dunlop.

   
• Middleton on Midday radar

  Henry Cecil’s multiple Group One winner Midday is likely to start off her season in the Middleton Stakes at York on May 12.

   
• Ayr raid in mind for Overturn

  Overturn is likely to defend his crown in the Scottish Champion Hurdle before reverting to the Flat for the Chester Cup.

   
• Dante option for fab Frankel

  Frankel, Henry Cecil’s unbeaten colt, features among the initial entries for the STG150,000 ($A233,827) Dante Stakes at York on May 12.

   
• Hughes buoyed by Memory form

  Richard Hughes admits to being “pleasantly surprised” by how much Memory has physically progressed ahead of the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket on May 1.

   
• Wigmore to renew Presvis rivalry

  Wigmore Hall is on course for a third clash with Presvis in the QEII Cup at Sha Tin on May 1.

   
• So You Think in Lockinge mix

  Former Australian superstar So You Think could have his first start for new trainer Aidan O’Brien in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury on May 14.

   
• 30/3/2011 Happy Valley preview, selections and tips

  International form analyst Xavier Blair gives us his race by race preview for tonights Happy Valley meeting. View his tips and selections.

   
• Walsh makes “tough” National call

  Ruby Walsh insists the decision to ride The Midnight Club in the Grand National on Saturday week is not one he has taken lightly.

   
• Prescott downbeat on Hooray Classic hope

  Sir Mark Prescott remains unconvinced about Hooray’s chances in the 1000 Guineas as he revealed a cluster of concerns.

   
• Ground key to Classic Dream

  David Simcock has warned he may have to consider an alternative 2000 Guineas to Newmarket if the ground becomes too fast for his great hope Dream Ahead.

   
• So You Think’s European debut delayed

  So You Think will not make his European debut this weekend after he wasn’t nominated for the Listed Alleged Stakes (1m2f) at The Curragh on Sunday.

   
• Fahey hoping for perfect Bassett prep

  Richard Fahey is praying for a trouble-free run for the next month to allow his stable star Wootton Bassett to make it to Newmarket to contest the 2000 Guineas.

   
• Air preparing for Aintree assignment

  Chris Bealby took Surface To Air on a ramble round the Lincolnshire countryside on Monday as part of his preparation for the Grand National.

   
• Ground key to Long Run

  Connections of Long Run will keep a close eye on ground conditions before deciding whether the Cheltenham Gold Cup hero will run again this spring.

   
• Frontieres up for the Cup

  Sans Frontieres is set to make his first appearance of the Flat season in the Yorkshire Cup in May.

   
• Kauto booked for Punchestown

  Kauto Star will make his first appearance at the Punchestown Festival when he travels to Ireland in May.

   
• Presvis wins Dubai Duty Free

  Luca Cumani was left fighting back the tears as Presvis finally came good in the Dubai Duty Free under the floodlights at Meydan.

   
• Rocket Man wins Golden Shaheen

  Buoyed by Rocket Man’s success in the Golden Shaheen, trainer Patrick Shaw has forecast a clash with Black Caviar – but only if the price is right.