Racing (Horse) : General Horse Racing Thread

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Cheltenham, Sunday

Cheltenham & Three Counties Club Hurdle 2m4½f, 4yo+

OSCAR WHISKY slammed his three rivals in effortless style as he posted back-to-back wins in this race to earn a quote of 5-1 from the sponsors for the Ladbrokes World Hurdle.

Oscar Whisky was sent off a 4-6 chance to follow up his win in the Relkeel Hurdle last time and, although the official margin was not that great, his supporters never had a moment's worry as he travelled by far the best of these throughout and won this how he liked.

The trainer said: "I still think there can only be one race for him and that's the World Hurdle. He isn't going to win the Champion Hurdle. Aintree is the obvious place for him as he won there last year but we've got to be brave."

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Cheltenham, Sunday

Bet With Your Mobile At Victor Chandler Chase Handicap (Grade 3) 2m5f, New, 5yo+

CALGARY BAY saw off the late challenge of Hector's Choice to return to the winner's enclosure for the first time since December 2009 and provide trainer Henrietta Knight with the perfect start to the new year

A delighted Knight said afterwards: "He deserved to win, he likes good ground and likes Cheltenham. He jumped so well and Dominic gave him a very good ride."

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DONALD McCAIN said on Monday that Grand National winner Ballabriggs was ready to get into more serious work though may not reappear until Kelso, where he warmed up for Aintree by finishing second in a chase last year, in early March.

"He will step up to do some more work this week, he looks great and I am very happy with him."

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Plumpton, Monday

At The Races Sussex National 3m5f, 5yo+

DOUBLE DIZZY landed a dramatic renewal of the Sussex National at Plumpton on Monday, in which five of the nine runners either fell or were brought down

Winning trainer Buckler said: "I've always said he had another good win in him. It's brilliant. This was his 62nd race for me and he's been a grand old servant.

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KUMBESHWAR was introduced at 14-1 with Paddy Power for the Grand Annual at the Cheltenham Festival after he posted his second victory over fences at Plumpton on Monday.

"I won't wrap him up as he loves his racing," said King. "I would imagine he's a Grand Annual horse or maybe the Byrne Group Plate but he will have plenty of entries as he could go further as he was second over two and a half to Zaynar at Ascot."

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THE Cheltenham crowd will assuredly roar like lions, but favourite Long Run may run in the Betfred Gold Cup without the protective earplugs he has worn since winning last season's King George VI Chase as trainer Nicky Henderson seeks to topple ageless champion Kauto Star.

"Kauto was a beatable horse last year and Paul and his people have got him back to his best," Henderson said.

"I don’t think we’ve gone backwards, in fact I’d be surprised if we hadn’t gone forwards, but we are taking on Kauto back at his very, very best."

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POLICE sealed off roads to Epsom Downs on Tuesday morning and racecourse staff were evacuated after strong winds ripped off part of the grandstand roof.

Racecourse spokesman Johnno Spence said: "Following severe weather conditions and turbulent winds at Epsom Downs racecourse this morning, the Duchess Stand roof has been damaged.

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JONCOL has been ruled out of the rest of the season after sustaining a tendon injury in the early stages of the Grade 1 Lexus Chase last month.

“He didn’t travel early on in the Lexus so it must have happened in the early stages as to jump and travel so badly throughout the Lexus just wasn’t him.”

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LAST year's Irish and Yorkshire Oaks heroine Blue Bunting headlines trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni's contenders for the Dubai World Cup Carnival, and will be prepared for a tilt at the Dubai Sheema Classic - a race the trainer won last year with Rewilding.

He told the Godolphin website: "We have Monterosso and Blue Bunting out here and they could be aimed at Super Saturday, when Blue Bunting could have her prep race for the Dubai Sheema Classic."

Xin Xu Lin didn't run a bad race when he was fifth behind Khawlah in the UAE Derby last year," said Al Zarooni, "He runs from the front in his races and got a bit tired near the end.

"We will see how he gets on next week before deciding where to go with him, while I have earmarked rounds two and three of the Maktoum Challenge for Casamento, Dubai Prince and French Navy."

William Hill Dubai World Cup betting: 5-1 Orfevre, 11-2 Animal Kingdom, 6-1 Bold Silvano, Smart Falcon, 10-1 Beaten Up, Transcend, 14-1 Await The Dawn,Byword, Gitano Hernando, Musir, 16-1 Master Of Hounds, Planteur, Treasure Beach, 20-1 Dubai Prince, Green Destiny, 33-1 Casamento, French Navy, Xin Xu Lin

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FINIAN'S RAINBOW has overhauled Al Ferof at the head of the market for the Victor Chandler Chase on January 21 having initially been priced up behind last season's Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner.

Race sponsors Victor Chandler had made Al Ferof the 5-2 favourite with Finian's Rainbow at 11-4 when entries were revealed on Wednesday but have cut the leading Sportingbet.com Queen Mother Champion Chase contender to 9-4.


Trainer Nicky Henderson confirmed he was targeting the race with Finian's Rainbow on Tuesday and is a general 7-1 shot for the Champion Chase.

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CHAMPION HURDLE winner Hurricane Fly is on target to make his eagerly awaited seasonal reappearance in the BHP Insurance Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown on January 29, after delighting connections in a racecourse gallop on Thursday.

"I'm much happier with the way he went compared to his work before Christmas and it's looking like he will come back for the Irish Champion Hurdle," said Mullins.

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UAE, Thursday

Meydan: Al Rashidiya Trial Presented By Longines (conditions race) 1m1f, turf, 4yo+

FAVOURITE Mahbooba obliged for jockey Christophe Soumillon to convincingly land the feature race on the opening night of the 2012 Dubai World Cup Carnival.

Soumillon said: "She is a very good filly as we saw all last year, both here and in Europe. I needed to ask her for an effort turning for home but she then picked up well and quickened away."

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By Lewis Porteous 2:45PM 5 JAN 2012 GODOLPHIN were quickly into stride in the opening race of this year's Dubai World Cup Carnival, with the Mickael Barzalona-ridden Sarrsar (Saeed Bin-Suroor) leading home a one-two for the Dubai-based owners.

With three representatives in the 1m1½f handicap, Godolphin were obviously keen to hit theground running, although stable jockey Frankie Dettori was left waiting for his first winner after choosing to ride runner-up Capponi.

Despite defeat, Dettori gave Capponi a fine ride in front - setting just a moderate pace from the gates before gradually increasing the tempo through the second half of the race.

However, after getting the better of eventual third Marching Time, Capponi could not repel the late flourish of the Saeed Bin-Suroor-trained winner, who returned at 9-2.

Dettori was however quick to gain his revenge when partnering the Saeed-Bin Suroor-trained Honour System to land the second race on the card, the 1m3f handicap, making it two from two for Godolphin.

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EXCITING novice chaser Al Ferof was on Thursday introduced as Ladbrokes'joint 8-1 fourth-favourite for the sportingbet.com Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

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UAE, Thursday 11.35am GMT (Live on ATR/RUK)

Meydan: UAE 1000 Guineas Presented By Longlines (conditions race) 7f,tapeta,3yo fillies

CHERRY HINTON winner Gamilati will face five rivals including ex-Clive Brittain filly Alsindi on her Meydan debut in the 7f UAE 1,000 Guineas Trial on Friday

The Mahmood Al Zarooni-trained filly is seeking just a second career victory, having shed her maiden tag in the Group 2 Cherry Hinton Stakes and raced only once - when dead last in the Lowther Stakes at York - since the Newmarket race.

"Her first three runs were all very good and she was probably unlucky not to have won both the maidens in which she ran," said Al Zarooni.

"We knew going to Newmarket that she was improving and Frankie Dettori gave her a great ride in the Cherry Hinton Stakes.

"York was disappointing but we are all entitled to a bad day at work. She has had a lovely break since then and has really enjoyed the Dubai weather. She is working nicely and we hope the Tapeta surface will not be a problem for her."

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CHELTENHAM will celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee by renaming the National Hunt Chase at the festival in honour of the monarch's 60-year reign.

The 4m race, run on the Wednesday of the Cheltenham Festival, will this year be called the Diamond Jubilee National Hunt Chase. Now in its 142nd year, it is one of the oldest races at the festival.

Cheltenham managing director Edward Gillespie said: "The royal connection with Cheltenham is something we are particularly proud of and we are delighted to be marking the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee year by renaming the most historic race of the festival in her honour

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UAE, Friday

Meydan: UAE 1,000 Guineas Trial (conditions) 7f, 3yo fillies, AW

CHERRY HINTON winner Gamilati (Mahmood Al Zarooni/ Frankie Dettori) began her Classic campaign in the best possible fashion when she strolled home in the UAE 1,000 Guineas Trial at Meydan on Friday.

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SPIRIT SON could make his eagerly anticipated return in the BHP Insurance Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown on January 29.

A general 8-1 chance for the Stan James Champion Hurdle next March, Spirit Son has not run this season and Nicky Henderson said on Friday that he or stablemate Binocular could run in the Grade 1 contest, which could also see the return of Champion Hurdle winner Hurricane Fly, who pleased trainer Willie Mullins in a racecourse gallop at Leopardstown on Thursday.

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THE complexion of the William Hill Supreme Novices' Hurdle market is likely to become clearer at Sandown on Saturday when the track hosts the Grade 1 32Red-sponsored Tolworth Hurdle

Prospect Wells, 14-1 with race sponsors William Hill for the Cheltenham Festival opener, will face four rivals - including the progressive Colour Squadron and French import Captain Conan - in the 2m contest.

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Thurles, Saturday

Beamish Stout Phil Sweeney Memorial Chase (Grade 3) 2m2f, 5yo+

THE Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown could be on the agenda for Quel Esprit after the 2-7 favourite outclassed his four rivals, putting in a clear round of jumping before running out an easy 15-length winner from Whodoyouthink.

Speaking afterwards Mullins was keen to step Quel Esprit back up in grade and nominated the Grade 2 Kinloch Brae back at Thurles on January 19, and the Grade 1 Hennessy Gold Cup atLeopardstown on February 12 as possible targets.

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CHAMPION jockey Tony McCoy has revealed he will be out of action for at least another week as a result of a heavy fall at Taunton on December 30.

McCoy fractured ribs and bruised his lungs when unseated from favouriteLaudatory in a handicap hurdle and, although feeling much better, has been advised to remain on the easy list for the immediate future.

"The good news is that I am on the mend. The bad news is that it is a slow process and I have got at least another week of sitting on the sofa every afternoon, watching my mates have all the fun," McCoy told the Daily Telegraph on Saturday.

"The doctor told me to rest and that is exactly what I have been doing, hard though it is. I have broken ribs before, but the fall at Taunton seemed particularly hard.

"I am not in so much pain now and feel a lot better in myself. I went for a scan on Thursday and the doctor said he was very happy with what he saw.

"I thought my lung might have been damaged, but the scan was clear and everything is fine."

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Sandown, Saturday

32Red Hurdle (Novices' Hurdle) (Registered as the Tolworth Hurdle) (Grade 1) 2m½f, 4yo+

CAPTAIN CONAN defied a big drift in the market to win the Tolworth with a late lunge, ultimately owing his victory to Colour Squadron's inability to keep straight on the run-in.

The Philip Hobbs-trained leader easily saw off all bar Captain Conan, and would likely have beaten that one too if not for swerving violently left after the final jump, a loss of ground that proved decisive at the post, where Nicky Henderson's Captain Conan was the victor by just a short head.

Winning jockey Barry Geraghty said: "Some company would certainly help this one as well. He was very green and there'll certainly be improvement."

Sarah Hobbs, wife of Colour Squadron's trainer Philip, marked the race down as one that got away. "Richard [Johnson] said basically it was greeness, and you are there to be shot at when you make it. He has thrown it away really," she said

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Sandown, Saturday

32Red.com HBLB Handicap Chase 3m1/2f 5yo+

HOLD ON JULIO overcame the odd sketchy jump to gain another impressive victory at Sandown to the delight of favourite backers who forced his price into 5-2having been 9-2 this morning

A multiple winning pointer, Hold On Julio has continued to impress under rules since changing hands for £28,000. He went up 13lb for winning a class 3 over course and distance last time, and having recovered from a bout of ringworm he was very much fancied here and proved a really progressive sort to run away with this nice prize despite being 3lb out ofthe weights.

It will be interesting to see where Hold On Julio goes now. Given he is now two from two at Sandown, the obvious target would be the Bet365 Gold Cup in April, but the Cheltenham Festival will also give the nine-year-old's trainer a few options before then.

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THE Kentucky Derby trail starts early in the States - and on Saturday horses representing Sheikh Mohammed's various operations left their mark on both coasts.

No sooner has Saeed Bin Suroor's New York barn been disbanded than the Kiaran McLaughlin-trained Alpha tabled his claims as a legitimate Classic contender with a fluent victory at Aqueduct in the Godolphin blue.

Over at Santa Anita, Darley's Out Of Bounds ended the unbeaten record of Breeders' Cup winner Secret Circle in the Grade 3 Sham Stakes

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THE two anonymous punters who landed last week's Totescoop6 with just a £64 stake took their winnings to over £360,000 after they cracked Saturday's bonus race with the help of Pricewise. The £108,015 bonus fund was added to the £252,037 won last week and Betfred spokesman George Primarolo said: "Having taken a look the night before, the punters had an inkling for Ciceron and seeing the horse nominated by the world's greatest tipster only strengthened their resolve to opt for the Venetia Williams-trained six-year-old."

The two punters were present at Sandown to see Ciceron overhaul Havingotascoobydo after the final hurdle. Ciceron, tipped by Tom Segal at 16-1, was the subject of major support, returning at 6-1.

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Naas, Sunday

Slaney Novice Hurdle (Grade 2) 2m4f, 5yo+

TRAINER Noel Meade could have another star hurdler in his care after Monksland eased to victory in the Grade 2 Slaney Novice Hurdle on Sunday.

Paddy Power made him 25-1 for the festival race and Meade, who has excelled with classy hurdlers Harchibald and Go Native in the past, said: "I thought he'd win today - I think he's very good.

"He did everything right and jumped well. I hope he'sgood enough for the Neptune - that's the plan."

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Naas, Sunday

Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Novice Chase 2m, 5yo+

FLEMENSTAR put himself in line for the Frank Ward Solicitors Arkle Novice Chase at Leopardstown later this month after registering a simple victory over Lambro at Naas.

"He's going to go for the Arkle at Leopardstown then we'll go up in trip," said Casey.

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DABIRSIM remains a potential contender for the Qipco 2,000 Guineas after trainer Christophe Ferland declined to express a preference between the British Classic and the French version two weeks later at Longchamp.

Ferland burst onto the international stage last season with the son of Hat Trick, who landed the Prix Morny at Deauville before overcoming traffic problems to cut down his rivals in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at Longchamp on Arc day.

Speaking to French racing broadcaster Equidia, Ferland gave an upbeat report on his dual Group 1 winner.

"Everything is going well and he's in magnificent shape," he said.

"He hasn't grown an enormous amount because he was already a big horse at two, but I'm delighted with him. I think he's put on weight and he's got stronger."

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By Stuart Riley 7:18AM 8 JAN 2012 HURRICANE FLY has been inserted as the 4-5 favourite for the BHP Insurance Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown on January 29

Hurricane Fly has missed a couple of engagements this season notably the Morgiana Hurdle and Istabraq Festival Hurdle, but appeared to be back on track after delighting Mullins in a racecourse workout at Leopardstown on Thursday

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Timeform have given Frankel an end of year rating of 143, the highest figure since 1972 and the fourth-highest in Timeform's history.


Timeform's Simon Rowlands said: "1972 was the year in which Brigadier Gerard posted 144. Sea-Bird (145 in 1965) and Tudor Minstrel (144 in 1947) are the only other horses to have been rated more highly than Frankel in Timeform's long history.

"Frankel is a remarkable 8 lb clear of the next-highest horse, Black Caviar, and 10 lb ahead of the next-highest in the Northern Hemisphere, margins unprecedented in recent times.

"The Sir Henry Cecil-trained colt is unbeaten in nine starts, including the Two Thousand Guineas, the Sussex Stakes and the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes in the latest year.

"Any of those successes would have qualified Frankel for Horse of The Year status. Timeform rated him 142 after the first of those wins and edged him up to his current figure after the Queen Elizabeth.


"Next in is the unbeaten Australian-trained mare Black Caviar on 135, only 1 lb behind the best fillies/mares in Timeform's experience."

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Taunton, Monday Southwest-racing.co.uk Novices' Hurdle (Class 3) 2m1f, 4yo+

DARLAN extended his unbeaten record to fourwith an impressive win under a cool ride from Barry Geraghty

When asked how good the winner is, Geraghty said: "It is hard to say. He travels sowell but he was good today."

http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse...on/974084/top/

THERE was a 200-1 shock at Taunton on Monday when Lights Of Broadway became the first horse to win a race in Britain at that price for two years.

The Jo Hughes-trained six-year-old led home 50-1 shot Wishes And Stars and Fortuna Rose, sent off at 33-1, who finished third in the mares' novices' hurdle.

Lights Of Broadway, who won the 2m3f contest by three quarters of a length, is the biggest-priced winner since the Jennie Candlish-trained 200-1 shot Maoi Chinn Tire won a juvenile hurdle at Wetherby on October 29 2010.

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By Jason Ford 4:53PM 9 JAN 2012 MENDIP, winner of the opening round of the Maktoum Challenge last year for Godolphin and Saeed bin Suroor, will need to be near his very best if he is to make a successful return in the 2012 running on Thursday.

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FRANKEL was named world champion racehorse on Tuesday when he topped the World Thoroughbred Rankings (WTR) for 2011.

The spectacular Henry Cecil-trained colt, who will take his nine-race unbeaten record into 2012 as a four-year-old, was awarded a rating of 136 - the same as Sea The Stars in 2009.

Australia's superstar sprinter Black Caviar was Frankel's closest pursuer in the annual international league table, put together by a team of senior international handicappers on behalf of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA).

Set to run at Royal Ascot this season, the five-year-old mare easily retained her status as world champion sprinter with a mark of 132, which makes her 4lb inferior to Frankel, who was also completing back-to-back championship seasons after being named Europe's top two-year-old (alongside Dream Ahead) in the 2010 lists.

The WTR were unveiled on Tuesday afternoon at a press conference in London. Other notable features included another share in the European juvenile ranks where Racing Post Trophy winner Camelot and leading French colt Dabirsim head the list on a mark of 119.

Europe's champion filly is the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Danedream, who is joined in third place overall on the 128-mark by Champion Stakes winner Cirrus Des Aigles.

Also taking high rank on 127 are top miler Canford Cliffs and the ill-fated Prince of Wales's Stakes winner Rewilding.

Top-rated stayer is the 2010 Melbourne Cup winner Americain on 123, while the highest figure recorded in Europe is the 121 achieved by Fame And Glory and Masked Marvel in the Ascot Gold Cup and St Leger respectively.

Well adrift of Black Caviar's world-best mark in the sprinting division, Deacon Blues and Dream Ahead share European honours on 120 - fully 12lb beneath the Australian mare.

The number one dirt performer on the list, waydown overall on 124, is Breeders' Cup Classic winner Drosselmeyer.

Frankel's mark of 136 recognises his claims to greatness - he has duly been accorded one of the highest marks in recent seasons. Sea The Stars is the only other horse to have hit such a mark since Peintre Celebre's 137 in 1997.

However, even such a straightforward comparison is fraught with confusion as the ratings have been compressed a little since then, which means the 136 is probably worthmore than Peintre Celebre's 137 in real terms.

For this reason, higher marks achieved in earlier years, when ratings around the 140-mark were regular, must also be taken with more than a pinch of salt.

Accordingto Racing Post Ratings, Frankel should have been awarded an even higher rating. "The official figures come under far greater pressure now than the early days of purely European competition when 140s where handed out like sweets," explained senior Racing Post handicapper Paul Curtis.

"The relevance of comparison with past rankings, certainly pre-1995 when US horses where included for the first time, is questionable.

"Even so, Frankel could have ranked higher still and his Racing Post Rating of 139+ is the best recorded on turf since RPRs began in 1986. Although the rankings parameters have changed several times since then, the past figures are still there in the record books and it seems wrong that Frankel should rate behind the likes of Generous and Peintre Celebre."

WTR TOP 20 OVERALL


1 Frankel (GB) 136

2 Black Caviar (Aus) 132

3 Cirrus Des Aigles (Fra) 128

Danedream (Ger)

5 Canford Cliffs (GB) 127

Rewilding (GB)

7 Dream Ahead (GB) 126

Excelebration (GB)

Nathaniel (GB)

So You Think (Ire)

11 Rocket Man (Sing) 125

Twice Over (GB)

Workforce (GB)

14 Drosselmeyer (USA) 124

Goldikova (Fra)

St Nicholas Abbey (Ire)

17 Acclamation (USA) 123

Americain (Fra)

Orfevre (Jap)

Sepoy (Aus)

Strong Suit (GB)

Tizway (USA)