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Perfect return for Hannigan.
2010 British Champion Flat Jockey Paul Hannigan showed he is certainly not ring rusty after returning to race riding at Wolverhampton this afternoon, for on his first mount, the Ann Duffield trained Sharp Shoes, he was an easy 2 length winner on the 5-2 favourite in the atrcasinoclub.com Selling Stakes.
Punchestowns to miss out on Cheltenham run.
Despite having entries in both the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Ladbrokes World Hurdle, the Nicky Henderson-trained Punchestowns has been so unconvincing this season, that his trainer has today indicated his charge is likely to by-pass both of his Cheltenham entries, and is more likely to make an appearance at his namesake festival at Punchestown in late April.
Henderson seems to think Punchestowns needs good ground to be at his best, and with Spring racing conditions looking set to be on the soft side, the Sevenbarrows handler is prepared to wait until ground conditions hopefully improve later in the Spring.
Frankel will need some luck according to Queally.
While Frankel was unbeaten in his four races as a two-year-old, including a fine win in his final appearance of the season in the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes, regular partner Tom Queally is pointing out Henry Cecil's charge will not only need ability to maintain his unbeaten record during his three-year-old campaign, for as Queally observes:
"He seems to have grown into a lovely three-year-old, and based on his record in 2010, you can understand why he is the anti post favourite for the 2,000 Guineas, but you don't just need ability to be a Classic winner, you also have to prove you can dig deep when things don't go right in a race, and up to now, Frankel has not found himself on the receiving end of some bad luck in running, and we will only find out just how good he is when he has to pull out all the stops to get himself out of a bad situation. While I think he has the makings of a true champion, we will only find out when he starts getting back into racing action, and at the moment, I can't wait for that to come around."
Quinz likely to take National option.
With the official handicapper raising Quinz 9 pounds for his narrow win over Mount oscar in last Saturday's Racing Post Chase, Minehead based trainer Philip Hobbs is now edging towards allowing his novice to take his chance in the Aintree Grand National rather than have to carry a big burden in the Stewart Family Spinal Research Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
Discussing his current thoughts, Hobbs commented:
"I have no complaints about the 9 pound rise he received for winning the Racing Post Chase, but Quinz will only have to carry 10 stone 8 pounds at Aintree, and while he is inexperienced over fences, he seems to have got his game together in recent times, and providing the going for the Grand National is not soft, I would be inclined to give him a run at Aintree rather than at Cheltenham. If the ground did rule out the National, then I suppose we would have to look at the Bet 365 Gold Cup, or maybe a race at the Punchestown Festival."
Same as 2010 for Don't Push It.
Connections have indicated the 2010 John Smiths Aintree Grand National winner Don't Push It will have exactly the same build up for the 2011 Aintree marathon as that taken last year.
Speaking on behalf of owner J p McManus, racing manager Frank Berry said:
"Jonjo O'Neill tells us Don't Push It is very well, and is on track for the big race at Aintree. He has an entry in Saturday's Greatwood Gold Cup at Newbury, but I think he will have the same build up as last year, with a run in the Pertemps Hurdle Final at Cheltenham. While he didn't complete the race at Prestbury Park last year, it set him up brilliantly for the Grand National, and we see no reason in changing a winning formula."
Charlton very hopeful Beau can secure Cheltenham success.
Northumberland trainer George Charlton has high hopes Knockara Beau can at the Cheltenham Festival pick up the major racing prize he has threatened to collect in the last two seasons.
An excellent first year novice chaser last season, Knockara Beau kept finding one or two horses too good for him in Grade 1 and 2 novice chases, but after an indifferent start to his chasing campaign this season, Charlton reverted his charge to hurdling, and of late, Knockara Beau has come good, with an excellent second to Grands Crus in the Cleeve Hurdle, followed up by a top weight carrying success in the Pertemps Hurdle Qualifier at Carlisle last month.
The Stocksfield-based trainer now believes he has his stable star primed to deliver a victory in the Pertemps Hurdle Final at Cheltenham later this month, with Charlton stating:
"He really seems in good order with himself, and so far, everything has gone smoothly in his preparation for Cheltenham. He has an entry in the Stewart Family Spinal Research Handicap chase, as well as the Pertemps Final, but even if he has to carry top weight, I think we will stick to the Pertemps option.
"David Pipe has Ashkazar in the same race off a rating of 161, but our lad is also on 156, and based on his last two runs, he is worth his handicap mark, and if he can put it together on the day, I give him a very good chance of at last collecting the big prize he has deserved in the last couple of seasons."
Backspin found dead in his box.
It has been confirmed, Backspin, one of Jonjo O'Neill's big hopes for glory at this month's Cheltenham Festival, was this morning found dead in his box with a suspected heart attack.
The six-year-old won his first 3 races this season, including a fine effort to win the Grade 1 Challow Hurdle at Newbury, but he could only finish fourth behind Bobs Worth on his most recent outing at the Festival Trials Day at Cheltenham in January.
Backspin had entries in the Stan James Supreme Novices Hurdle and the Neptune Investment Management Novices Hurdle.
Frank Berry, spokesperson for owner J P McManus, said:
"It is very unfortunate, but these things happen. We believe Backspin died of a hart attack, but we will wait for the autopsy to confirm the cause of death."
Harry getting benefit of Waley-Cohen gallops.
Trainer Robin Dickin has publicly thanked Robert Waley-Cohen for allowing him to use the owner's gallops in the preparation of Restless Harry for the upcoming Ladbrokes World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
Restless Harry was last seen finishing third to Grands Crus in the Cleeve Hurdle, but since that run, Stratford based Dickin had found it difficult to give his charge the kind of preparation he needed to get
Restless Harry 100% fit for the World Hurdle, with Dickin explaining:
"With most of the British racecourses having testing ground due to the recent wet spell, we had found it difficult to find anywhere to give Restless Harry decent galloping ground, but Robert Waley-Cohen very kindly offered me use of his private gallops, and Restless Harry had a good spin at Robert's facilities on Tuesday, and I have booked him in for another gallop there next week.
"I wanted to thank Robert publicly for his generosity and sportsmanship, and at least I will know thanks to Robert, Restless Harry will go into the World Hurdle with every chance."
Cecil disappointed with draw for Twice Over.
Henry Cecil has admitted he would have preferred his multiple Group 1 winner Twice Over to have received a better draw than 13 in Thursday's Roung 3 of the Al Maktoum Challenge at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai.
Discusssing the situation he faces, Cecil commented:
"It's going to be hard for Twice Over to put in a major challenge from stall 13, but as we are really using this race to prepare him for the Dubai World Cup, I will be happy if he can show us he is in good shape.
"I actually think Twice Over is ahead of where he was at this time last year, and despite his draw, I would be looking for him to put in an encouraging run on Thursday."
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