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Haydock to hold early morning inspection.

With soft ground being assaulted by more rain during the day, and with a forecast of more downpours overnight, Haydock Park have confirmed they will hold a precautionary 7.00 am inspection on Thursday morning ahead of their planned card for tomorrow afternoon.

Strong debuts by novices at Chepstow and Warwick.

Alan King has not had a lot to shout about so far in the new national hunt season, but there was no mistaking he has a useful novice hurdle recruit from the flat in the form of Manyriverstocross. Seemingly well schooled before today's debut at Chepstow, the former top class handicapper on the flat made short work of today's opposition finishing well clear of his nearest rival Shalamiyr.

Meanwhile at Warwick, the Henrietta Knight trained Somersby made an excellent debut over fences, and his victory over nearest challenger Kanad has put him right into the reckoning for major novice chasing honours later in the season.

Burj Nahar could get Derby supplement.

The facile way in which Burj Nahar scored in his Nottingham Maiden this afternoon suggests Godolphin have another very useful colt on their hands, and the word after the run suggests the youngster could be supplemented into the field for next year's Epsom Derby.

Jarvis camp hoping for rain for Kings Destiny.

While very pleased with Kings Destiny's run behind Opinion Poll in a recent big handicap, the Michael Jarvis camp have confirmed the November Handicap at Doncaster on Saturday has been the main target for their handicapper, and they have confirmed they will welcome the forecast rain, as Kings Destiny always puts in his best efforts when he has soft underfoot conditions.

No Haydock fears for Kauto camp.

Having made two uncharacteristic mistakes on the home straight in previous important Haydock steeplechases, with last year's mistake actually causing him to fall, one would be forgiven for thinking connections of Kauto Star would not relish going back to the Merseyside track for the Betfair Chase on 21 November, but owner Clive Smith says he has no worries,

"Kauto is in fine form ahead of his seasonal bow, and while last year's visit to Haydock may have come too soon after his run at Down Royal, we have no such problems this year. He will go into the Betfair fresh, and I would be confident of the outcome if he gets a problem free run. We have decided he will only have the three runs this year, so if all goes well at Haydock, he will go on to Kempton on Boxing Day for the King George, and then Cheltenham for the Gold Cup."

Queally confirms Al Eile for Leopardstown November Handicap.

Four years since he last won the corresponding race, trainer John Queally has confirmed his ten-year-old dual purpose campaigner Al Eile will line-up in tomorrow's re-arranged November Handicap at Leopardstown.

With the ground forecast to be heavy, it is not ideal for Al Eile, but Queally is keen to get a run into his veteran ahead of a potential outing in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle.

White Oak decision dependant on Halo.

Donald McCain jnr is wating to see what plans Paul Nicholls has for Celestial Halo before he makes his mind up as to which Wincanton hurdle race he will choose for White Oak. The handler has indicated if Celestial Halo goes for Saturday's Elite Hurdle, then his mare will be entered in the Mares Hurdle on the same Wincanton card, but if Nicholls decides not to run the Champion Hurdle runner up, then McCain will run his top class mare in the Elite Hurdle.

Virtual retired to stud.

The John Gosden trained Virtual, who was the winner of this year's Group 1 Lockinge Stakes at Newbury, has been retired from racing with immediate effect, and from January 2010 he will stand at Cheveley Park Stud in Newmarket.

Weights announced for Paddy Power Gold Cup.

Nicky Henderson's Queen Mother Champion Chase third placed Petit Robin and David Pipe's 2005 Paddy Power winner Our Vic share top weighting of 11 stone 12 pounds following today's announcement of the official weights for Cheltenham's signature November chase - The Paddy Power Gold Cup.

With 11 stone 07 pounds, Nicky Henderson's other potential runner is Her Majesty the Queen's Barber Shop, but in view of the comments coming from the Henderson stable earlier in the week, this weight allocation might exclude the lightly raced chaser from the two mile four furlong contest.

Following his October success at Cheltenham, the Paul Nicholls trained race favourite Poquelin has been allocated 11 stone 01 pounds, while the second and third in the recent Cheltenham race - Gaelic Flight and Holdem - currently have to shoulder 9 stone 9 pounds and nine stone thirteen pounds respectively.

The other Nicholls entries are Chapoturgeon, 11 stone 04 pounds, and recent winner Tatenen, 11 stone 0 pounds.

Amongst the other fancied horses, Alan King's Taratino has 10 stone 10 pounds, while Tony Martin's Kerry National winner Northern Alliance is fairly treated with 10 stone 12 pounds, and each way chance Bible Lord has not been penalised for his Wetherby win, and carries 10 stone 08 pounds.

With just 10 stone 13 pounds, Edward O'Grady might be tempted to run Saturday's Naas Poplar Square Chase victor Tranquil Sea, while similar comments may apply to United House Gold Cup third Shining Gale, the latter getting into the race with just 10 stone 10 pounds.

However, Sally Alner has indicated Master Medic, a four time winner including last weekend's Byrne Group Chase, would not be too inconvenienced by 11 stone 01 pounds, but the ground will have to be suitable if he is to line-up at Cheltenham.

Celestial Halo heads the weights in Greatwood Hurdle.

The Paul Nicholls trained Champion Hurdle runner up Celestial Halo has been handed top weight of 11 stone 12 pounds for the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham on 15 November.

Although allocated 11 stone 06 pounds, Andy Turnell's dual purpose campaigner Blue Bajan proved his well being with a recent fourth in the Group 3 Jockey Club Cup, but it may be Joanna Morgan's progressive Raise Your Heart who is the most fairly treated. A winner of four races on the flat, including a recent Listed race at Leopardstown while carrying 9 stone 06 pounds, his allocation of just 10 stone 07 pounds in the Greatwood Hurdle seems a potential winning mark.

Ashkazar could revert to hurdles after winning his debut chase, and if he goes down this route, he will carry 11 stone 02 pounds.

Alan Fleming's Starluck looked very impressive when winning his seasonal debut at Cheltenham, and he gets an allocation of 10 stone 08 pounds for the Greatwood.

Charlie Mann's recent Kempton winner Katies Tutor has to carry 10 stone 09 pounds, while runner up in the same Kempton contest, Red Moloney has been allocated 10 stone 04 pounds.

In Compliance to make low key re-appearance at Thurles.

Not seen on a racecourse since December 2007, former smart national hunt performer In Compliance is due to make his debut for new trainer Dessie Hughes at tomorrow's Thurles meeting. With the ever consistant Chelsea Harbour amongst his five opponents, In Compliance will be given a thorough examination as to whether he retains any of his former ability.

Some Present to have quick return.

Having lost out to Sweeps Hill in a novice hurdle last week, former smart bumper horse Some Present looks likely to head the entries in Sunday's For Auction Novice Hurdle at Navan.

Although top rated bumper Dunguib is still amongst the nine declared horses for the Navan race, connections are expected to withdraw him for a run later in the month in the Graded Royal Whip Novice Hurdle.

Cecil confident of good 2010.

Ahead of a potential first ever Breeders Cup success, Henry Cecil has been musing on a season which has already produced two Group 1 wins through Midday in the Nassau Stakes and Twice Over in the Champion Stakes, and the long serving trainer admits he is now really looking forward to 2010.

"I believe I have the best all round team of horses I have had in a long time, and with some nice youngsters coming through to join our more experienced string, I am as confident as I can be that 2010 will be a good year."

Goldikova receives unfavourable draw.

In the overnight draw for the Breeders Cup races, Freddie Head's Goldikova has received the outside draw position of eleven of eleven, and the french filly has been immediately and universally eased in price on the anti post markets.

Punters are obviously remembering her poor effort from an outside draw in the Prix du Foret, and they now think the filly is up against it in her attempt to land a second consecutive Breeders Cup Mile title.

Despite this apparent general pessimistic view, Freddie Head seems to be totally upbeat about his filly's chances, saying,

"Goldikova seems in better condition than prior to last year's race, and although the outside draw is disappointing, I believe she has the qualities to overcome any adversity."

O'Brien admits Rip problems.

Rip Van Winkle has been eased in the betting following the overnight draw for the Breeders Cup Classic, for in addition to having to cope with starting from stall ten, according to Aidan O'Brien, the on-going foot problem which has effected the talented three-year-old's whole season has apparently re-occurred in a previously unaffected foot, and O'Brien now admits he is taking it one day at a time in the pre-race build up to his clash with wonder filly Zenyatta.

This combination of doubts could still see Zenyatta take over as favourite for the Breeders Cup Classic - a position she already holds in the American domestic betting markets.

Dettori teaming up again with Gosden.

Frankie Dettori has an excellent record at Santa Anita, and as he proved last year on Donativum and Ravens Pass, if John Gosden has his horses in top order, then Frankie is the man to get them home in Breeders Cup races. This may explain why Frankie has been selected in advance of Jimmy Fortune to ride Dar re mi when she takes on the colts in the BC Turf, and also the mount on youngster Pounced in the BC Juvenile Turf.

Moore happy with Zacinto.

Ryan Moore had his first work out on the Santa Anita track on Tuesday, and after accompanying Zacinto in a gentle cantor, the jockey declared himself very happy with the lightly raced colt ahead of his run in the BC Mile.

Top price filly retired unraced.

The Daily mail have reported Liffey Dancer, who was purchased for 2.5 million guineas at the Tattersalls Yearling Sales in 2007 by former Phones 4 U finance director Craig Bennett, has been retired to Bennett's Merry Fox Stud without ever taking a step on to a racecourse.

The daughter of Saddlers Wells and Irish Wells mare Brigid is a half sister to Group 1 winner Listen, but it seems Liffey Dancer failed to show similar racing abilities, and Bennett can now only hope she turns out to be a breeder of top class winners.

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