Racing (Horse) : General Horse Racing Thread

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NO OVERTURN IN HENRY VIII

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...e&sub=&day=Fri

Captain Conan tops a total of just five runners for Saturday's Markel Insurance Henry VIII Chase at Sandown.

Donald McCain's Overturn would have been a leading fancy for the race but the likelihood of testing going has seen him sidestep the Grade One event.

---------- Post added at 12:10 ---------- Previous post was at 11:43 ----------

Here are some tips for today as well.

Sandown 12.40 Valco De Touzaine
Sandown 2.55 Monkerty Tunkerty
Sandown 3.30 Haymarket

I'm not really going to bet Den . I don't have a clue about these things.

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Originally Posted by jempalmer

I'm not really going to bet Den . I don't have a clue about these things.

Well l just have the odd pound here and there generally jem.

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STAR DUO SET FOR DURKAN DUEL

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...e&sub=&day=Fri

Flemenstar and Sir Des Champs are set to grab the limelight on Sunday as they face a showdown in the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase.

The former, who is trained by Peter Casey, will be chasing a seventh consecutive victory, with two Grade One victories bagged last term.

The Willie Mullins-trained Sir Des Champs is a leading fancy for the Cheltenham Gold Cup but will be having his first start since his Grade One win at Punchestown in April.

Rubi Light will be back to defend his title for Robbie Hennessy, while Bog Warrior provides a second string for Gigginstown House Stud, the owners of Sir Des Champs.

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Here are my best tips for today.


Sandown 12.20 Golden Hoof
Sandown 12.55 Kentford Grey Lady
Sandown 1.25 Big Easy
Sandown 2.30 Swampfire
Sandown 3.05 Sprinter Sacre
Aintree 12.00 Buthelezi
Aintree 12.35 L'unique
Aintree 2.10 In Compliance
Aintree 3.20 Nacarat

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GOLDEN WINNER FOR WESTWOOD

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...e&sub=&day=Sat

Golden Hoof looks a nice prospect for the future after justifying even money favouritism in the opening John Oakley 50th Birthday 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle at Sandown.

Winning jockey Barry Geraghty sent the Oscar gelding into the lead after the second-last and the result was then never in doubt as he went away to win by eight lengths from 11-4 shot Lord Protector.

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SPRINTER SPARKLES IN TINGLE TRIUMPH

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...=&sub=&day=Sat

Sprinter Sacre ran out a hugely impressive winner of the the Sportingbet Tingle Creek Chase on his seasonal bow at Sandown.

Nicky Henderson's charge (4-11 favourite), unbeaten in five starts over fences, chased his main rival Sanctuaire but assumed control from the Pond Fence and accelerated away to claim the Grade One prize by 15 lengths.

Sprinter Sacre was a little keen early on as the pair built up a healthy advantage over the rest of the field, but Barry Geraghty soon had him lobbing along nicely and the manner in which he reeled in Sanctuaire could hardly have been more impressive. Kumbeshwar grabbed seond spot late on.

[Cobbydaler]

National course fence changes trialled:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/horse-racing/20628427

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Originally Posted by Cobbydaler

National course fence changes trialled:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/horse-racing/20628427

Yes it seemed to go well today and lets hope things run smoothly come National day.

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OLD-TIMER BUD LANDS BECHER PRIZE

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...e&sub=&day=Sat

Hello Bud rolled back the years to win the Betfred Becher Handicap Chase for a second time at Aintree, the highlight of a memorable 193-1 treble for trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies and his jockey son Sam.

As well as lifting the other race run over the Grand National fences with Little Josh, they also struck with Master Of The Sea, but it was the 14-year-old Hello Bud (14-1) who took the plaudits with an emotional triumph for his connections.

Successful in 2010 and running in this race for a fourth time, the veteran answered his rider's every call and though Join Together was clawing back the deficit with every stride from the elbow, he was still a neck down at the line.

PRINCE PROMPTS GOLD CUP DREAMS

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...e&sub=&day=Sun

Wayward Prince had his connections dreaming of a Gold Cup bid when scoring on his second outing for trainer Hilary Parrott in the Betfred Treble Odds On Lucky 15's Chase at Aintree.

The eight-year-old, who having moved to Parrott from Ian Williams finished second to Silviniaco Conti on his stable debut at Wetherby, travelled like a dream under Jack Doyle and was always cantering over long-time leader Across The Bay.

Doyle put Jason Maguire on the latter out of his misery approaching the final fence and the combination forged two and a half lengths clear. It was three and three-quarter lengths further back to the disappointing favourite Quito De La Roque.

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CAPTAIN TAKES COMMAND

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...e&sub=&day=Sun

An excellent round of jumping saw Captain Conan run out an easy winner of the Markel Insurance Henry VIII Novices' Chase at Sandown.

A winner at Cheltenham on his fencing debut, Captain Conan was sent off the 4-7 favourite for trainer Nicky Henderson and jockey Barry Geraghty on his step up to Grade One company.

Geraghty was positive from the off, setting the pace, and gained valuable lengths through a fine leap at the second-last to see off market rival Hinterland. He only had to be pushed out for a three-and-a-half-length verdict.

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RED STRIKES GOLD IN VASE

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...=&sub=&day=Sun

Red Cadeaux secured his first Group One victory as he claimed a thrilling renewal of the Longines Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin.

Johnny Murtagh set out to make all aboard the William Haggas-trained Dancing Rain and he began to wind up the pace at the three-furlong marker.

However, they were lining up in behind to challenge with Gerald Mosse producing Red Cadeaux between Jaguar Mail and Liberator well over a furlong out, and though Jaguar Mail ran on well, Ed Dunlop's raider dug deep and clung on to victory in a photo.

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Brilliant Flemenstar flies to John Durkan victory.

http://www.racingpost.com/news/live.sd

http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/r...sir-des-champs

FLEMENSTAR edged closer to superstardom on Sunday as he breezily dismissed the challenge of the previously unbeaten Sir Des Champs at Punchestown.

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HENDERSON HAILS SUPER SACRE

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...=&sub=&day=Sun

Nicky Henderson believes Sprinter Sacre is already close to being the best chaser he has ever trained after his effortless victory in the Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown.

The six-year-old is unbeaten over fences and never came off the bridle in adding another Grade One to his haul.

Henderson houses the current Queen Mother Champion Chase winner in Finian's Rainbow and trained one of the greatest two-milers of his generation in Remittance Man, but he already thinks Sprinter Sacre has eclipsed them.

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GERAGHTY FACING KEMPTON DILEMMA

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...e&sub=&day=Mon

Barry Geraghty will make a decision on his William Hill King George VI Chase mount "sooner rather than later" according to Nicky Henderson.

The trainer intends to saddle three in the Boxing Day showpiece at Kempton with Long Run, who will be ridden by Sam Waley-Cohen, lining up alongside Ryanair Chase winner Riverside Theatre and Queen Mother Champion Chase hero Finian's Rainbow.

Geraghty has the choice of the latter two and Henderson would rather have his plans in place.

"Riverside worked at Kempton on Monday and went very well with Darlan and Grandouet, who comes out this weekend (in the International Hurdle at Cheltenham). Darlan will probably wait for the Christmas Hurdle," Henderson told At The Races.