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Gerrity makes it to one thousand winner landmark.

Coming home well clear from the only other finisher in this afternoon's kempton.co.uk Graduation Chase at Kempton Park, Barry Gerrity had to thank the Nicky Henderson trained Duc de Regniere for supplying him with his one thousandth winner as a licenced professional jockey.

Barry Gerrity now joins A P McCoy, Richard Johnson and Ruby Walsh in the ranks of current national hunt jockeys with over a thousand winners to their credit.

Punchestown start for Hurrican Fly.

In an interview today, Willie Mullins indicated triple Grade 1 novice hurdle winner Hurrican Fly is almost certain to make his seasonal re-appearance in the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown on 15 November. Mullins also indicated,

"Hurricane Fly seems bigger and stronger than last year, but at this stage I would guess he needs to make up about ten pounds on Binocular and Solwit if he is to challenge for the Champion Hurdle. We will start him at Punchestown because he knows the track. If he comes out of the Morgiana Hurdle in good shape, we may take a look at one of the hurdle races at a Cheltenham meeting prior to March, but that will depend on a whole host of factors, so I cannot be specific at the moment."

Nine still in the mix for Exeter centrepiece.

Just twenty four hours before Exeter's main race of the season, Paul Nicholls today confirmed top weight Twist Magic will be using Tuesday's William Hill sponsered Haldon Gold Cup as preparation for the Tingle Creek Chase later in the month at Sandown. The other Nicholls representative amongst the remaining nine runners is I'msingingtheblues, but based on previous form, he would seem to have his work cut out if he wants to figure among the quality chasers still involved in tomorrow's extended two mile one furlong contest.

Alan King admits he is hoping for drying conditions for Oh Crick, while Tom George would prefer more rain so as to suit the undoubted stamina of Nacarat, the latter view shared by Panjo Bere's trainer Gary Moore.

Last year's winner Ashleybrook is quite capable of winning the race again if he is on a 'going day', While Planet of Sound, Cornas, and Mahogany Blaze all have claims if repeating their best form.

Fourteen headed by Notra Pere at five day stage.

Welsh Grand National and Punchestown Guinness Gold Cup winner Notra Pere heads the fourteen entrants still involved in Down Royal's jmwine.com Chase at today's five day decleration stage. Jim Dreaper's progressive chaser is joined in the line-up by Guinness Gold Cup runner up Schindler's Hunt and the progressive Siege Master, the latter two both originating from the yard of Dessie Hughes, while Mouse Morris has 2006 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner War of Attrition amongst the current list of entrants.

Other Irish based entrants include; Jimmy Lambe's locally trained Natal, Snowy Morning, Trotsky, Wheresben, and Casey Jones, although the latter is more likely to go to Newbury for the Hennessy Gold Cup.

With no Kauto Star to head his attack this year, Paul Nicholls will rely on Grand National third My Will, with the other British raiders being; Darkness, Joe Lively, Roll Along and The Listener.

Ruby now out of action until Saturday.

Still suffering from a sore ankle and foot following his fall from the ill-fated Sanglote in an Ascot Beginners Chase on Saturday, Ruby Walsh initially gave up his three rides at Kempton Park this afternoon in an attempt to be fit for the prestige meeting at Exeter on Tuesday.

However, after receiving medical advice, Ruby has now decided not to return to race riding until Saturday.

Henderson waiting on handicapper.

Having watched his charge finish second to Imperial Commander in the 2008 running of the race, Nicky Henderson has half a mind to run Her Majesty the Queen's Barber Shop in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham on Saturday week, but before he commits to the run, the handler is waiting to see what weight his lightly raced chaser receives off the handicapper. In fact, Henderson is quoted as saying,

"If he receives a reasonable weight, we may well have another go at the Paddy Power, but if it seems a stiff task, we may consider other options."

Spencer being sought for Rangefinder assignment.

Thirsk winner Rangefinder was last week purchased out of Luca Cumani's stable for 28,000 guineas at the Tattersalls Horses In Training Sales by the in form owner Dr Marwin Koukash, and his newly appointed trainer Jane Chapple Hyam is reportedly keen to acquire the services of Jamie Spencer to renew his partnership with Rangefinder in this Saturday's November Handicap at Doncaster. Discussing the situation, Jane Chapple Hyam said,

"If we get some more rain this week, the mile and a half trip on soft going at Town Moor should be right up Rangefinder's street, and with Jamie having ridden him before, I would like to renew their partnership for the race, particularly as Jamie is excellent at producing late runs out of his rides at Doncaster."

Hennessy engagement for Trafford Lad.

Owner trainer Lawrence Butler was so pleased with Trafford Lad's seasonal debut over an inadequate trip in Saturday's Poplar Square Chase at Naas, he has today confirmed his seven-year-old will step up in trip for the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury on 28 November. Speaking about his decision, Butler commented,

"I was very pleased with Trafford Lad's first run on Saturday. He had to give weight to Tranquil Sea and Joncol, and they are both very useful chasers in their own right. Over a trip which was patently too short for him, he did very well to get within two lengths of the lead when they passed the line." ,

"He will now go for the Hennessy at Newbury, and providing the handicapper is fair, I would expect him to put in a strong run over the longer trip."

Another chaser seemingly destined for the Hennessy is Gone To Lunch. Handler Jeremy Scott was not disappointed with his eighth behind The Last Derby in Ascot's United House Gold Cup, saying,

"He definitely needed the run, and the going was too fast for him over a three mile trip. He has come out of the race in good condition, and I would expect we will next go for the Hennessy at Sandown."

Sheikh Mohammed sending yearlings to Irish trainers.

For the first time in several years, Sheikh Mohammed is to have juveniles operating out of Irish training establishments. The driving light behind Godolphin's worldwide operation has decided to send twelve yearlings for training at six yards in Ireland. Experienced trainers John Oxx, Jim Bolger and Dermot Weld will each receive two yearlings, while the up and coming talents of Ger Lyons, Michael Halford and David Marnane are also recognised, as each of the younger trainers will also be given two yearlings for training and development.

Mullins appointed as National Hunt Ambassador.

Horse Racing Ireland today announced Champion Trainer Willie Mullins is to be their National Hunt Ambassador for the 2009/10 Season. This is the first time HRI have appointed a National Hunt Ambassador, and the new post follows on from the successful initiative of Johnny Murtagh becoming HRI's 2009 Flat Ambassador, a post he will continue to hold for the remainder of the Flat Season (which ends on 27th November).
In his role as HRI's first National Hunt Ambassador, Willie Mullins will be giving racegoers an in-depth behind-the-scenes look at his yard's big race preparations, and he will be recording the highs and lows by twittering his way through the winter. For those interested parties not on Twitter, the new Ambassador will also have a dedicated Facebook page.

Willie Mullins has been amongst Ireland's top National Hunt trainers since he took out his licence in 1988 and last year he gained a record number of 136 winners, more than twice as many as his closest pursuer in the trainers' championship race, whilst boasting an incredible strike rate of over 26%. Willie's stable stars include last season's Cheltenham winners Cooldine, Mikael D'Haguenet and Quevega, while the unbeaten five-year-old Hurricane Fly is already favourite for the Champion Hurdle. With many other established stars and a host of promising bumper winners to unleash, Willie already looks well placed to retain his trainers' crown this season.

Tamso Doyle, HRI PR Manager said:

"We are delighted Willie Mullins has agreed to be HRI's first National Hunt Ambassador, given his high profile international successes of recent years when he has won just about every major prize in Ireland, most of the big ones in Britain including the King George and Grand National, and two Champion Hurdles in France. Willie will be going on-line and bringing racing to Twitter and Facebook which many of our audience increasingly use for information and entertainment. He will also be undertaking a weekly blog on www.goracing.ie which we hope will bring added interest and excitement to what already looks like a mouth-watering upcoming National Hunt season".

Melbourne Cup latest.

Former Ballydoyle inmate Changingoftheguard's new trainer David Hayes is delighted his three-year-old has obtained the opportunity to compete in tomorrow's Melbourne Cup, and he seems very confident the Ebor runner up can get into the frame in Australia's blue ribbon race.

Meanwhile, after some initial despondancy over the weekend, representatives of the Godolphin and Cumani camps both seem more upbeat about the chances of their respective entries, Crime Scene and Basaltico.

Zafisio likely to move on to Stuttgart.

As he proved once again on Sunday, Zafisio is a completely different horse when the ground exhibits lots of cut, for in yesterday's Group 3 Prix Perth at Saint-Cloud, he reversed Curragh placings with the Roger Charlton trained Border Patrol, defeating the latter by a length and a half in the prevailing verysoft ground.

Exactly one year on from landing the Group 1 Criterium International at the corresponding Saint-Cloud meeting, Roger Curtis's charge showed he is ideally suited to the soft underfoot conditions associated with european racecourses in November, and the trainer was so impressed with the performance, he is now likely to send Zafisio on to Stuttgart to compete in the contest which would have been his alternative race if the ground at Saint-Cloud had been less soft.

Discussing the situation earlier today, Curtis said,

"Zafisio has come out of yesterday's race in fine order, and we are now seriously considering the prospect of racing him at Stuttgart. Originally, the ten furlong contest at Stuttgart was to have been his alternative race if the ground at Saint-Cloud had been unsuitable, but as he appears to be so well, and I think he would actually benefit from a step up to ten furlongs on soft ground, then a trip to Germany now looks very likely."

Scottish National could be ultimate target for Silver By Nature.

After landing Sunday's £40,000 Molson Coors Cumberland Handicap Chase at Carlisle by an 'eased down' nine lengths, trainer Lucinda Russell spoke about her possible mistake in running him at Carlisle,

" Originally, I considered him for the Hennessy Gold Cup, but then decided against that option. In hindsight, I might have made the wrong decision. We may now go for the Welsh Grand National, but I know his owner would love to win the Scottish Grand National, and we may now lay out a programme to get him to Ayr next April in peak condition."

River Liane on stream for Drinmore appearance.

Despite making a last fence mistake which nearly stopped him in his tracks, former smart hurdler River Liane picked up a confidence boosting win over fences at Naas on Saturday. Trainer Tom Cooper was pleased with the effort, but thinks his gelding would benefit from a step up in trip, and the Tralee handler is now eyeing the two and a half mile Drinmore Chase at Fairyhouse as the next potential target for his interesting novice chaser.

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