Racing (Horse) : General Horse Racing Thread

[Julian]

Hey Den, what's your feelings on the John McCririck saga?

[denphone]

Originally Posted by Julian

Hey Den, what's your feelings on the John McCririck saga?

Big Mac might well have a opinion which some people do not like but l often found his views on Horse Racing very interesting as did many other people and l think he will be sorely missed on C4 racing coverage from early next year.

[denphone]

BARNSTORMING VICTORY FOR KINGS

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

Kingsbarns staked his claim for Classic glory in 2013 with a clear-cut victory in the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster.

Having only his second career start after easily winning a Navan maiden 17 days earlier, the 15-8 favourite tracked the leaders Steeler and Trading Leather before taking charge over a furlong out to give trainer Aidan O'Brien his seventh success in this Group One race.

Van Der Neer stayed on well for second on the stands rail, beaten a length and three-quarters without being able to get in a blow at the winner, with Steeler third.

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IMPERIAL REVELS IN CHEPSTOW WORK

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

Imperial Commander delighted connections in a crucial racecourse gallop before racing at Chepstow.

The 2010 Cheltenham Gold Cup hero showed his well-being ahead of his intended return from injury in the Betfair Chase at Haydock on November 24.

The 11-year-old, who has not raced since being pulled up in the 2011 Gold Cup, worked two miles in the hands of Aidan Coleman with his new stablemate Ransom Note, a Group Two winner on the Flat for Charlie Hills.

NO STOPPING FEHILY IN OLD ROAN

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

Noel Fehily quashed bitter memories of a horror fall in the Grand National that ruled him out for almost six months as he made a jubilant return to Aintree to land the Betfred Monet's Garden Old Roan Limited Handicap Chase on For Non Stop.

Fehily broke a leg in the fall from State Of Play and had been back just a fortnight to the day as he steered the Nick Williams-trained gelding, 4-1 joint-favourite, to the smoothest of triumphs in the day's feature.

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CAMELOT ON THE MEND

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

Camelot is continuing to make progress in his recovery from a bout of colic.

The 2000 Guineas and English and Irish Derby winner was struck down with the potentially fatal disease just days after running in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

Lets hope he returns in 2013.

PURPOSE SET FOR MARATHON TEST

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

Dermot Weld believes the conditions of the Breeders' Cup Marathon could spark a revival in the fortunes of Sense Of Purpose.

The five-year-old mare has failed to show her best form in three starts this season, all run on her unfavoured soft ground, but Weld expects her to be reveal her true colours in this Grade Two on dirt over a mile and three-quarters.

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PANTHER STRIKES OUT IN ROYAL-OAK

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

Brown Panther was a big disappointment as Les Beaufs made all the running to take Group One honours in the Prix Royal-Oak at Longchamp.

Tom Dascombe's stable star held every chance but faded away in the straight and finished towards the rear, along with fellow British challengers Quiz Mistress and Hurricane Higgins.

Julien Guillochon's tactics on Les Beaufs paid dividends, with the three-year-old gelding opening up an eight-length advantage at one stage in the near two-mile feature.

Les Beaufs (9-1), trained by Valerie Seignoux, never looked like stopping and won by four and a half lengths from Silver Valny, with Rollex Borget third. Verema was fourth and the 7-4 favourite Dalkala only fifth.

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ART BIDS FOR BREEDERS' PRIZE

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...+prize&day=Mon

Mahmood Al Zarooni is confident Artigiano will run a big race in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at the weekend.

The Distorted Humour colt has only won once in six starts but he has been narrowly beaten by subsequent Group One winner Olympic Glory in the Vintage Stakes and Steeler in the Royal Lodge. With the step up to a mile expected to be in his favour, a big run is anticipated.

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AL AND RUPERT IN CHARLIE HALL MIX

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

Weird Al and Time For Rupert, first and second 12 months ago, are among a high-class entry of 14 for the bet365 Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby on Saturday.

Donald McCain's Weird Al went on to be third in the Betfair Chase but pulled up in the Gold Cup and fell in the Grand National.

Time For Rupert signed off his campaign with a fine fifth in the Gold Cup for Paul Webber.

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BRILLIANT NATIVE BACK IN THE GROOVE

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

Noel Meade's high-class hurdler Go Native continued his recuperation with an effortless victory in the www.swordsecurity.com (Q.R.) Race at Galway.

The nine-year-old can list a Supreme Novices' Hurdle, a Fighting Fifth and a Christmas Hurdle on his roll of honour but he missed over two years before returning to action at Navan earlier this month.

HANNON THRILLED WITH NEER

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

Richard Hannon is excited about what the future holds for Van Der Neer after the previously unbeaten colt beat all bar the favourite Kingsbarns in the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster on Saturday.

The Dutch Art colt looked ill at ease on the soft ground and Hannon believes a quicker surface would have seen him finish even closer to the new Derby favourite.

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FUGUE LEADS F&M ASSAULT

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...ssault&day=Tue

The Fugue takes top billing in a field of 12 runners for the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Santa Anita on Friday.

John Gosden's Nassau Stakes heroine will start from stall four, while last year's runner-up Nahrain (stall eight) is back for more for Roger Varian.

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SACRE PENCILLED IN FOR TINGLE PREP

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

Nicky Henderson intends giving Sprinter Sacre his seasonal debut at Cheltenham next month before the Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown in December.

The Seven Barrows trainer reports the brilliant Arkle Trophy winner to be on course for his reappearance.

"We are going to go to Cheltenham. There's a nice two-mile chase at the Paddy Power meeting which gives him three weeks before the Tingle Creek, where we will meet Sanctuaire," said the handler.

RUPERT TEAM FAVOUR HALL BID

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

Paul Webber is favouring a crack at the bet365 Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby over a trip to Ascot for his stable star Time For Rupert this weekend.

The eight-year-old finished a fine second in the race 12 months ago to Donald McCain's Weird Al and the two could clash again.

Having finished fifth, beaten less than 10 lengths, in the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March, Webber feels he could be an even better horse this season.

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OSCARS WELL FOR PUNCHESTOWN START

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

Jessica Harrington is taking nothing for granted as top-class hurdler Oscars Well makes his debut over fences in the Book New Years Eve Panoramic Restaurant Beginners Chase at Punchestown.

A dual Grade One winner and sixth in last season's Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham, Oscars Well is one of the more exciting novice chase prospects in Ireland this term.

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DE BROMHEAD ON WEATHER WATCH

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

Henry de Bromhead will keep an eye on the weather at Down Royal before committing Sizing Europe to a run in Saturday's JNwine.com Champion Chase.

The County Waterford trainer's former Queen Mother Champion Chase hero has finished second in the three-mile feature for the last two years. Behind Kauto Star in 2010, his defeat by Quito De La Roque 12 months ago was put down to the testing ground.

DUNDONNELL DELIGHTS DOYLE

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

James Doyle was the new kid in town as far as Breeders' Cup jockeys were concerned when racing professionals from both sides of the Atlantic gathered for morning trackwork at Santa Anita Park on Tuesday.

Doyle rolled into Los Angeles ahead of the majority of his peers on the express wish of Roger Charlton, trainer of his Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf mount Dundonnell.

[denphone]

Kauto Star the record-breaking racehorse is retired

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/horse-racing/20137124

Long live the king and may he have a wonderful time in retirement.

[denphone]

NICHOLLS LEADS THE PRAISE

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

Paul Nicholls sang the praises of Kauto Star after announcing the decision to retire the legendary chaser at the age of 12.

Connections had been considering a tilt at an incredible sixth King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day, but have instead decided to call it a day.

"We have had nine superb years with the horse but, after seeing him in his work these past few weeks, myself, Clifford (Baker, head lad) and Dan (Skelton, assistant trainer) were of the opinion that the time had arrived to retire him," Nicholls said in his Betfair column.

"Of course, as owner, the final decision rested with Clive (Smith), but he agreed that the horse had done enough.

WALSH SALUTES 'HORSE OF A LIFETIME'

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...26#39;&day=Thu

Ruby Walsh described Kauto Star as "incredible" after the announcement that the 12-year-old has run his last race in an illustrious career.

Walsh partnered the French import to 17 victories, including both his Cheltenham Gold Cup triumphs and his five wins in the King George VI Chase.

"He's the horse of my lifetime. I'm very lucky to be the one who got to ride him. He was an incredible horse from the beginning, from when he won his novice chase in Newbury all the way to his fifth King George," said Walsh.