Racing (Horse) : General Horse Racing Thread

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http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse...mp/974345/top/

CONNECTIONS of newly crowned world champion Frankel said on Tuesday it was a "great honour" to receive the title after the five-time Group 1 winner was handed a rating of 136 in the 2011 World Thoroughbred Rankings.

Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager to owner Khalid Abdullah, said: "It is a great honour and it is a credit to Sir Henry Cecil and the Juddmonte breeding operation.

"We have had champions in the past notably Dancing Brave and Oasis Dream but it is still great to receive the recognition."

http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse...am/974330/top/

WAAHEB, 10-1 joint-favourite with the sponsors for the William Hill Supreme Novices' Hurdle, has been ruled out of the Cheltenham Festival by trainer Dermot Weld.

"Unfortunately Waaheb has had a few minor hold-ups and it will not be possible to give him an ideal preparation or a race before Cheltenham. Consequently, he will not be running at the festival," Weldsaid.

http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse...ed/974168/top/

DON'T PUSH IT, the horse who finally realised Tony McCoy's dream of winning the Grand National, has run his last race and is set to enjoy his retirement at owner JP McManus's Martinstown Stud in Ireland.

The Jonjo O'Neill-trained 12-year-old famously landed the National at Aintree in 2010 to provide the trainer, McManus and champion jockey McCoy with their first victory in the world's greatest chase.

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BETFAIR have announced that some of the punters who backed Voler La Vedette in their controversial in-running market on the Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown last month will be paid out.

But successful bets placed on the win marketbefore the technology failure - which was judged to have occurred a minute into the race - and all successful bets on the place market will now be met via an ex-gratia payment.

http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse...as/974499/top/

DEWHURST winner Parish Hall will be trained for the Qipco 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket, trainer Jim Bolger said on Tuesday.

Bolger said: "Immediately after Parish Hall won the Dewhurst I spoke about him as more of a Derby horse for Epsom and the Curragh rather than as a 2,000 Guineas type.

"That was before I had a good chat with Kevin Manning who told me that the colt has plenty of pace for a mile. So we decided that he would be trained for the Guineas and that is the plan."

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AMATEUR rider Robert Cooper shrugged off the disappointment of receiving a 52-day whip ban by riding a rare winner at Fontwell on Thursday.

Only hours after the BHA dished out the lengthy punishment for his winning ride on Elton Fox at Uttoxter last month, Cooper steered the well-backed Mortimers Cross to an emotional success.

As the jockey passed the winning line to register only his third winner in 4,328 days, he threw his whip into the air in celebration.

Earlier in the day, the BHA's disciplinary panel reviewed Cooper's ride on Elton Fox, who won by a length, and found the jockey had hit the six-year-old 23 times (12 without allowing time to respond).

http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse...es/975116/top/

ON A day dominated by the whip, jockey Robert Winston vented his frustration at the Southwell stewards, who banned him for 22 days for using his whip with excessive frequency.

Fellow jockeys Nicky Mackay, also at Soutwell, Lee Edwards (Fontwell) and Michael Stainton, Ian Mongan and John Fahy (Kempton) were handed less severe penalties on the same day that the BHA issued amateur Robert Cooper a colossal 52-day whip ban for his winning ride on Elton Fox at Uttoxeter on December 31.

In total 93 days worth of bans were given to the seven jockeys on Thursday.

He added: "It feels like an insult being told what to do. I'm trying to get my career back on track and now I've got a 22-day ban. I will speak to the PJA - I'm not happy about it. I will also discuss whether to appeal with my agent."

http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse...975139/latest/

UAE, Thursday

Al Maktoum Challenge R1 Sponsored By Etisalat (Group 3) 1m, 3yo+, AW

MIKE DE KOCK is always a trainer to fear in the big races and Musir gave him further reason to celebrate after he ran out an ultra-impressive winnerof Thursday evening's feature race.

De Kock said: "Obviously we are delighted with that and Musir is a much stronger horse than he was in his Classic year and again from last year. I do still feel that turf is his best surface and the Dubai Duty Free is his main target.

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NICKY HENDERSON has revealed that both Binocular and Bobs Worth have had breathing operations since their runs at Kempton on Boxing Day.

"We had a look and he's had a very minor tweak of the soft palate. It doesn't interrupt anything as it's not invasive and the horse is already back in work and cantering."

http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse...975620/latest/

Chantilly will have the added attraction of staging three valuable prep races for Dubai World Cup night when the doors are officially opened on its new all-weather track at the beginning of March.

The Dubai Racing Club will sponsor the €50,000 warm ups for the World Cup and the Godolphin Mile on the opening card of the season on Saturday March 2, as well as a trial for the GoldenShaheen three days later.

http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse...na/975343/top/

STAR racemare Sarafina is set for a dazzling mating with Deep Impact following her private purchase by Teruya Yoshida's Shadai Farm.

The sale was revealed in the Racing Post newspaper when Pat Downes, the Aga Khan's stud manager in Ireland, said the owner/breeder had "received an offer he could not turn down".

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http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/n...9.html&BID=465

Sadler's Risk made a very encouraging start to his hurdling career in the opening William Hill - Home Of Betting Juvenile Hurdle at Kempton.

Useful on the Flat, Philip Hobbs' new recruit tracked the early pace and went to the front turning for home.

Richard Johnson never had to ask him anything resembling a serious question to go clear of his toiling rivals, the even-money favourite finishing 17 lengths ahead of the Nicky Henderson-trained Otto The Great (14-1).

"We'll work backwards from the Triumph now. Richard thought he could do with another run or two and he could go to Cheltenham in a fortnight as he's very tough."

Sky Bet and Stan James cut the winner to 8s from 14s for the JCB Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham, Boylesports are the same price from 16s.

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http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/n...5.html&BID=465

Menorah won the Bet With Williamhill.com On Your Mobile Novices' Chase at Kempton - although he wasn't totally convincing at his fences.

With Alasi unseating Dominic Elsworth at the eighth, the 4-7 favourite was left with the Alan King-trained Kumbeshwar to beat and he went past his front-running rival with six to jump.

While this was an improved round of fencing, he did get close to a few, notably the second last, but went on to score unextended by three-and-three-quarter lengths.

Sky Bet and Stan James left the winner unchanged at 10-1 for the Arkle at Cheltenham. Boylesports go 12s but William Hill pushed him out to 16s from 14s.

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Swincombe Flame landed a real gamble when snatching a dramatic victory in the William Hill Lanzarote Hurdle at Kempton.

Backed down to 9-2 favouritism, Nick Williams' charge looked to be in trouble as Featherbed Lane (15-2) went two lengths clear shortly after the final flight.

However Will Kennedy conjured a renewed challenge from the eventual winner and it carried her to the front on the line for a nose success.

Act Of Kalanisi (11-1) and Well Regarded (10-1) filled the minor placings with American Trilogy fifth for Sky Bet and Bet365 punters

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Warwick, Saturday

Betfred Classic Chase (Grade 3) (Class 1) 3m 5f, 5yo+

A MASSIVE weight proved to be no hindrance to Hey Big Spender as the nine-year-old ran on strongly under Joe Tizzard for a game success

After this latest win, Hey Big Spender's sixth in 17 starts over fences, his trainer now thinks he deserves a tilt at the biggest prize of them all.

"If the ground comes up soft he'll probably run in the Gold Cup," said Tizzard. "He will be high enough in the ratings after this and he deserves a go even if he does finish sixth or seventh."

http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/n...0.html&BID=465

Ut de Sivola survived a scare to win the Visit Punchestown.com Juvenile Hurdle on Saturday.

A runaway winner on his only previous start in Ireland, Willie Mullins' charge was sent-off the 1-4 favourite but found this far from a routine task

Sky Bet left the winner unchanged at 10-1 for the JCB Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham. Boylesports go 9s while they've introduced the runner-up to their market at 20s.

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GLOBETROTTING superstar So You Think could bid for Dubai World Cup glory in March after connections confirmed he will be entered for the world's richest race.

Trained by Aidan O'Brien, who saddled Cape Blanco to be fourth in last year's World Cup, So You Think was last seen finishing sixth in the Breeders' Cup Classic in November, having won three Group 1s since being transferred to the Ballydoyle operation from Australia for his 2011 campaign.

"He will be entered for the race but obviously no decision will be made until nearer the time," O'Brien's wife Annemarie tweeted on Sunday morning.

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http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse...an/976330/top/

THE Willie Mullins-trained So Young justified odds-on favouritism for the third race running when he landed a 2m hurdle at Navan on Sunday.

So Young is likely to be entered in the Stan James Champion Hurdle and Ladbrokes World Hurdle and is 50-1 and 14-1 with the sponsors for those races.

http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse...up/976273/top/

DUAL Ryanair Chase winner Albertas Run might not bid to join the likes of Arkle and Istabraq as a three-time winner of the same race at the Cheltenham Festival - because he could contest the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup instead.

Albertas Run, who won what is now the RSA Chase at the 2008 festival, finished ninth of 16 in the following year's Gold Cup, and O'Neill revealed: "The scans have all come back good.

"We can now kick on with him with a view to either running at Ascot next month or going straight to Cheltenham for another crack at the Ryanair, or the Gold Cup, for which he has been entered."

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PAUL NICHOLLS on Tuesday pointed to what he hopes will be a crucial line of form, as he looked forward to Saturday's Victor Chandler Chase clash between his exciting novice Al Ferof and the more experienced Finian's Rainbow.

"I'm under no pretensions that he faces anything other than a serious rival in Finian's Rainbow, but I don't think it's as though we're taking on a Sizing Europe or Master Minded," Nicholls said.

http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse...thewhipdebate/

FEARS that the ongoing issue with the whip will dominate racing at the expense of more positive topics will be expressed at a meeting on Friday between the Professional Jockeys Association and BHA.

Steve Drowne, the other joint-president, said: "It is worrying that all the good things going on in racing are being overshadowedby the whip issue."

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GRAND NATIONAL winner Ballabriggs could have more than one run before the defence of his John Smith's-sponsored crown, trainer Donald McCain revealed on Tuesday.

Speaking at a Grand National media day at his yard in Cheshire, McCain also revealed that Ballabriggs, a general 16-1 favourite for the Aintree spectacular, could be joined in the famous race by stablemates Weird Al, Wymott and Fabalu.

"We will just wait until we get a bit closer before deciding. Ideally, he would have two runs but it would not bother me if he didn't."

http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse...international/

USA: Cape Blanco was on Monday night named America's champion turf performer for the 2011 season at the prestigious Eclipse Awards ceremony in Los Angeles.

Top filly Havre De Grace was named Horse of the Year, while other major award winners included Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom, narrow victor in the champion three-year-old male category, and Breeders' Cup Juvenile winners Hansen and My Miss Aurelia, who were named leading two-year-old male and filly respectively.

In the human categories, Cigar's trainer Bill Mott landed his third accolade as outstanding trainer and Ramon Dominguez completed back-to-back victories as the nation's leading rider.

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NICKY HENDERSON on Wednesday raised the prospect of Arkle favourite Sprinter Sacre taking in the Game Spirit Chase - run this year as the Betfair Super Saturday Chase - at Newbury next month rather than a novice contest as part of his preparation for the Cheltenham Festival.

Henderson said at Newbury: "It has actually crossed our minds that we could switch Sprinter Sacre from Warwick to the Game Spirit. Experience is what he needs. Going around on his own isn't going to teach him anything."

http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse...le/977436/top/

Newbury, Wednesday

Berkshire Stand Bookshop Juvenile Hurdle (Class 4) 2m½f, 4yo

GRUMETI lost his unbeaten record over hurdles when falling two out with the race at his mercy but was still cut for the JCB Triumph Hurdle on the back of his performance.

Grumeti's owner Max McNeill was understandably disappointed with the result, but was still optimistic for the future. He said: "I'm gutted. He was doing everything so well and just seemed to lose concentration. He flicked the hurdle and slipped.

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A DAY after Grumeti leapt to the head of the JCB Triumph Hurdle market with some bookmakers Ranjaan staked his claims forfestival glory when dismissing a good-looking field at Taunton.

http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse...ch/978085/top/

JOCKEY Ahmed Ajtebi was on Thursday handed a caution by the BHA after he failed a random alcohol test at Beverley last September.

http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse...an/977888/top/

JOCKEY Robert Winston has failed to overturn the 22-day whip ban handed to him by the Southwell stewards after his ride aboard Zenarinda seven days ago.

Winston, who wasrepresented by Rory Mac Neice at the appeal, put his case to the BHA's disciplinary panel but it was rejected and the ban was ordered to stand, although he did have his £500 deposit returned

Thurles, Thursday

Coolmore National Hunt Sires European Breeders Fund Mares Novice Chase (Grade 3) 2m4f, 5yo+

KNOCKFIERNA, who ran out at the second-last when still in contention in a Grade 2 chase at Limerick over Christmas, gained compensation with a convincing victory in this Grade 3 contest

http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse...977957/latest/


Thurles, Thursday

Matty Ryan Memorial Kinloch Brae Chase (Grade 2) 2m4f, 6yo+

APT APPROACH was made to work hard for his Grade 2 victory as last year's winner Follow The Plan proved reluctant to relinquish his title.

"He's in the Ryanair Chase and the Gold Cup at Cheltenham and he's earned the right to take up one of the engagements."

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http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse...978402/latest/

UAE, Friday

Meydan: Cape Verdi Sponsored By The Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Group (Group 2) 1m, f/m, turf, 3yo+

FIRST CITY got up in the final strides to thwart odds-on chance Mahbooba and score on her first start for trainer Ali Rashid Al Raihe.

Ffrench said: "Neither Christophe or I were sure who had won when we flashed past but we knew it was close. Our filly's form in Europe was very good, with some big runs in Group 1 company and she had been working well enough so we were hopeful.

http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse...international/

RICHARD HUGHES has had the month-long ban he received for elbowing a fellow rider revoked by the Royal Western India Turf Club, clearing him to ride in the country's Oaks on Sunday and Derby two weeks later

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Celestial Halo gained a hardfought win in the StanJames.com Champion Hurdle Trial at Haydock.

The popular eight year old looked in trouble in the Grade Two contest approaching the last but dug deep to pull victory out of the fire

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Cinders And Ashes won the williamhill.com 'Supreme Trial' Novices' Hurdle at Haydock.

The five year old was sent off a long odds-on favourite in the Grade Two contest registered as the Rossington Main Novices' Hurdle and won readily despite a mistake at the last.

Donald McCain's charge had jumped well prior to that in the testing ground, however, and last year's Champion Bumper fifth is likely to have booked a return to the Cheltenham Festival in March