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Yeats gets early opportunity to shine.Aidan O'Brien had already indicated his triple Ascot Gold Cup winner Yeats was very forward this year, and this has been confirmed by an entry in the thirty declared horses for the Yorkshire Cup, to be run at York on 15 May. In a race they like to win, Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin organisation have entered Varacity as their challenger for this year's Group 2 prize. Irrespective of the outcome of the race, York officials are confident their new drainage system will prevent a repeat of the horrendously heavy conditions seen at York over the last couple of seasons. Ballydoyle have nearly a third.At today's initial decleration stage for the Dante Stakes, to be run at York on 14 May, Aidan O'Brien's Ballydoyle string are responsible for twenty nine of the ninety two current entries. In recent years, the Dante has probably been the most important trial for the Epsom Derby, so it will be very interesting to see which Ballydoyle horses actually run in this year's Group 2 contest. Debut in Paris for Black Bear Island?A son of High Chaparral, Aidan O'Brien's Black Bear Island has been well supported in recent weeks for the Epsom Derby, and he could put his Classic claims on the line in the Prix Noailles at the Paris track of Longchamp this coming Sunday. The three year old looked very forward when heading up a group of Ballydoyle horses at a recent Leopardstown gallop, and it is thought Aidan O'Brien is keen to get an early season run into his Derby hope. For punters interested in obtaining good value from an anti post wager, it is worth noting a good win in Sunday's ten furlong Group Two contest could well propel Black Bear Island to the head of the Epsom Derby market. Nasri due to run soon.Despite one poor race on soft ground at the end of last season, the Brian Meehan trained Nasri has one piece of form which could make him a hot prospect for this year's major three year old races. in last year's Tattersalls Timeform Million, Nasri finished third in a race which seems to have the best form line of last year's two year old campaign, with winner Donativum going on to Breeders Cup glory, while second placed stable mate Crowded House later won the Racing Post Trophy, and fifth placed Mafaaz has this year won the Kentucky Derby Trial at Kempton Park. If Nasri can reproduce that kind of form in either the Greenham Stakes at Newbury, or the Craven Stakes at Newmarket, then Brian Meehan may have yet another contender for major honours during the upcoming season. Hamilton Park offer new ticket deals.To ensure the racing public can good value for money during these hard economic times, Hamilton racecourse have decided to reduce prices for some of their fixtures during the upcoming season. The course has also concluded a deal with Ticketmaster and a partnership with Home Coming Scotland to encourage new spectators to visit one of Scotland's partially undiscovered racing gems. To find out more about Hamilton racecourse, just click here. Musselburgh buck the trend.Officials at Musselburgh have excelled themselves, for against the current economic trend, they have increased their annual racing prize fund. In 2008 the East Lothian course offered £1.23 million in total prize money, and against expectation, this year's fund has been increased to £1.25 million. Now, we hear a lot from owners about the lack of prize money in horse racing, but in a situation were a course has actually increased what's on offer to owners during bad times, it will be interesting to see if the owners respond by increasing the number of horses they send to Musselburgh to compete for these extra funds. Hot contest likely for Gladness Stakes.Jumbajukiba could have his work cut out to win back to back victories in Sunday's Group 3 seven furlong Gladness Stakes at the Curragh. At the latest entry stage, he will have to face fourteen rivals, including; Mad About You, who finished second to Oh Goodness Me in the recent Park Express Stakes, prolific all weather winner and seven furlong specialist Duff, and three British raiders, Atlantic Sport, Express Wish and the Mark Johnston trained Lovelace. Market could seek Niche in Fairyhouse National.After yesterday's ballot for Saturday's Aintree Grand National, the Sandown BGC Silver Cup winner Niche Market is only fifth reserve for the Aintree centrepiece. If insufficient horses drop out between now and Saturday, trainer Bob Buckler has indicated Niche Market will go for the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on 13 April. Johnson to renew partnership with Mighty Man.Jockey Richard Johnson is to renew his partnership with Mighty Man in tomorrow's Liverpool Hurdle. Johnson had been the constant companion of Mighty Man in all of his past victories, and the jockey was reported to have been very upset when the Charlie Mann trained gelding suffered what was thought to be a career ending injury at Punchestown in April 2007. Due to his committment to ride Fair Along, Johnson could not accompany Mighty Man in his excellent come-back run in last month's Cheltenham Festival World Hurdle, but he is hoping the renewal of the partnership will be celebrated with a second victory in tomorrow's Grade Two contest. The major stumbling block to a repeat victory for Mighty Man is likely to be the top rated World Hurdle winner Big Bucks. Fleming hopeful Aintree will enable Starluck to reverse placings.First year trainer Alan Fleming has had a great season, and his flag bearer Starluck is due to lock horns once more with Walk On in the Matalan Anniversary 4 year-old Hurdle. Although fading into fourth place behind runner up Walk On in last month's Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham, Fleming believes Starluck can reverse the placings at Aintree. "He had every chance at Cheltenham until he hit the uphill finish, but his quick jumping, and the level track at Aintree is in his favour, and I would not be suprised if he reversed the Cheltenham form when the two meet again this week". George decides Melling may be best option for Nacarat.Tom George has had second thoughts about throwing in his inexperienced but talented Nacarat against the likes of Denman and Exotic Dancer over the three mile trip of the Totesport Bowl. Instead, the trainer is now looking at running Nacarat over his preferred distance of two miles four furlongs in Friday's Melling Chase. However, with opposition like Ryanair Chase second and third; Voy Por Ustedes and Schindler's Hunt, plus Tidal Bay, Petit Robin and Briareus, the Melling Chase can hardly be called the 'easy option' for the inexperienced Nacarat. Gaming Commission give belated approval.About a month ago, Ladbrokes, and some other bookmaking firms, introduced the latitude of allowing bets to be placed after the off in races which took some time to run. These 'in-running bets' have now been belatedly approved by the Gaming Commission. Leading prospect Sayif to make seasonal debut.The well regarded Sayif, who finished as runner up in last season's Middle Park Stakes, is on course to make his seasonal debut at tomorrow's meeting at Leicester. Hills nears three thousand milestone.Veteran trainer Barry Hills has started the current flat season in fine form, and with only five more winners required, it should only be a matter of days before the Lambourn based trainer reaches the tremendous milestone of three thousand winners in competitive races held under rules. No doubt, several of our bookmaking chums are likely to open a market on the precise day Barry will finally achieve this memorable feat. Jukebox Jury will be a Miss.The Mark Johnston trained Jukebox Jury, who finished second in last season's Racing Post Trophy, has had his preparation for this season dogged by injury, and just when he seemed to be turning the corner, it has been reported he has suffered a stress fracture of a tibia while in training, thus putting the Derby hopeful's whole three year old campaign in jeopardy. Irish horse racing industry holds its breath.Due to the current worldwide economic recession, the Government of Ireland is due to have an emergency budget, with Finance Minister Brian Lenihan due to announce cuts in government expenditure next Tuesday 07 April. As the whole of the racing industry in Ireland receives generous support from the Irish Government, officials of Horse Racing Ireland are reported to be holding their breath as to the severity of possible cuts which may be imposed on their industry. Today's Grand National News.- Aintree officials have confirmed the watering of the various courses is producing good jumping ground for all the races scheduled during the three day Grand National Festival. - Trainer Philip Hobbs has fanned the flames of yesterday's massive gamble on Parsons Legacy for Saturday's Grand National. In comments to today's Racing Post, he commented, "I can understand the logic behind this punt, and I can assure everyone, the horse will go to Aintree in tip top condition". - Following the news he is to partner Chelsea Harbour, nineteen year old Emmet Mullins is reported to be delighted with the knowledge he has been given a ride in his first ever Aintree Grand National. If he wins, it becomes a family affair, as Chelsea Harbour is trained by his uncle Tom Mullins. - Nationwide Sports Hospitality Limited have gone into liquidation, and a whole raft of corporate customers now find themselves without the pre-paid hospitality tickets they had booked for Saturday's Grand National. It is thought customers for Aintree have lost between a quarter and a half million pounds in pre paid revenue, including one customer who had paid ten thousand pounds for a private box at Saturday's race meeting. Without blowing our own trumpet, perhaps these customers will consider booking through Racingsight's established Racing Breaks and Holidays Department for next year's Grand National. - Good news for jockey Dennis O'Regan following his recent fall and back injury. He has passed a medical examination which allows him to return to race riding, and he will be taking up his full book of rides at the Aintree Festival, including the well fancied Black Apilachi in Saturday's big race. - Graham Lee has fully recovered from the heavy fall he suffered at Wetherby on Tuesday, and he has been cleared to ride in tomorrow's first day of the Grand National meeting, so providing he has no other calamities he should be alright for Saturday. - Sam Waley Cohen has a phanominal record at Aintree, having won on three of his six rides over the Aintree National fences, and Nigel Twiston Davies has decided to put this experience to good use by giving the amateur jockey the ride on Ollie Magern in the Grand National. WaleyCohen won the Topham Trophy on Libertine in 2006, and rode the same mare into fifth place in last year's Grand National. He has also won the Foxhunters Chase on two successive occasions aboard Katarino, and Twiston Davies hopes this skill over the national fences will enable Waley Cohen to settle the usually front running Ollie Magern into the right kind of rhythm required by any horse over the marathon four miles four furlongs of the National. - Based on the amount of revenue they have already recieved, Coral are hopeful the betting figures for this year's Grand National will match the turn over on the 2008 race. - Usually used for football matches, William Hill are bringing there 'Banter Booth' to Liverpool. The jockey's cap shaped studio will enable punters to have a rant about the Grand National, and horse racing in general, and the best five minute 'rants' will be shown on U Tube and across the William Hill audio visual range of products.
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News Stories prior to July 2008
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