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Genes Reunited

Early days but In Compliance looks good.

It may have been six hundred and seventy nine days since In Compliance last appeared on a racecourse, and he might have left the retired Michael O'Brien for Dessie Hughes's yard, but there is no doubt the one time Grade 1 winning chaser retains his ability. With partner Paddy Flood ouzing confidence, he jumped for fun in today's Thurles Chase, and a huge leap at the last set him up for a seven lengths success, with good yardstick Chelsea Harbour having to settle for the runners up spot.

It may be early days, but if In Compliance can progress off this performance, then he could be back into the melting pot for major honours this season.

Mikhail Glinka picks up Listed honours.

With a strong front running performance, Mikhail Glinka put his disappointing run behind Ballydoyle stable companion Joshua Tree in the Royal Lodge Stakes well behind him as he scored by four lengths in this afternoon's Listed Eyrefield Stakes at Leopardstown's re-arranged meeting.

Libano dominates in Knockaire Stakes.

Dermot Weld's Libano took advantage of a soft lead to dictate the pace in this afternoon's Listed Knockaire Stakes at Leopardstown, and he had plenty in reserve to see off the late challenge of Rayeni by two lengths.

The first two home in today's contest were sired by Indian Ridge, and this shows the preference of this line for soft underfoot conditions.

Rout in Irish November Handicap.

Former smart bumper horse Right of Passage turned this afternoon's Irish November Handicap into a rout as he cleared away from his rivals to score convincingly for trainer Dermot Weld and jockey Pat Smullen.

With two other winners on the day, Smullen showed he has not given up on the Irish Flat Jockeys Championship, and with Johnnie Murtagh preparing for the Breeders Cup, Smullen will be looking for more winners at Dundalk in an effort to reduce the current deficit of four he still has to make up on his title rival.

Thurles hoodoo hits O'Connor again.

Back in March of this year, conditional jockey Matt O'Connor suffered life threatening head injuries after a fall at Thurles, but after seven months of therapy and recouperation he returned to the saddle last month. However, on a return visit to Thurles this afternoon, he was hit by another potential injury lay-off. Riding the well fancied Zaarito in a Beginners Chase, the pair seemed to have every chance when his mount made a novicy jump and propelled O'Connor to the turf.. Attended by medics on the track, O'Connor was later taken to Kilkenny hospital where he is undergoing x-ray examinations for a suspected broken collar bone.

Fitzgerald hoping to be home by the weekend.

Mick Fitzgerald has been in and out of hospital dealing with infections which can be traced back to his career ending fall from L'Ami in the 2008 Grand National, but the jockey today confirmed surgeons have now removed a stainless steel plate from his neck and have also closed a hole in his oesophagus. Consequently, the ATR pundit is now hoping his infection problems will abate, and he is most hopeful doctors will allow him to return home to recouperate as early as this weekend.

In a separate development, trainer Brendan Powell reports the surgery he underwent on Tuesday for a blocked artery near his heart has been a complete success, and he is also hoping to return home this weekend.

Godolphin drop Bonfire bomb shell.

In a strange co-incidence, Godolphin have on Bonfire Day provided the explosive news that anti post favourite Emirates Champion will not take part in Saturday's November Handicap at Doncaster.

At today's forty eight hour decleration stage, Tastahil, on 9 stone 11 pounds, heads a maximum entry of twenty three horses, with the Godolphin pair of Baila Me and Friston Forest next in the weights on 9 stone 7 pounds apiece.

Although Baila Me has now been installed as anti post favourite, soft ground horses Charm School and Ella have also been well supported after this morning's announcements.

Kalahari King to miss Kelso engagement.

Ferdy Murphy has confirmed his impressive Maghull Novices Chase winner Kalahari King will miss his intended seasonal return in Saturday's Mayfield Restaurant Chase at Kelso. Commenting, the Yorkshire based trainer said,

"He has a nick on a hock, and although it is nothing really, he has been given an injection by the vet, and it would not be out of his system in time for Saturday's race. As there are limited opportunities at this time in the season, we will probably have to wait for the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon on 10 December."

First major hurdle for Go Native.

The 2009 Cheltenham Supreme Novices Hurdle victor Go Native will have his first real test against older opposition in tomorrow's Grade 3 WKD Core Hurdle at Down Royal. Noel Meade's six-year-old is due to come up against Colm Murphy's multiple winning mare Voler la Vedette, and while the bookmakers make the former champion novice odds on to score his second win of the current campaign, the expected heavy ground and the mare's weight allownces should provide Go Native with a suitably stiff task.

In addition, Go Native has to give weight to Galway novice hurdle winner and former top class bumper Luska Lad, and in an interesting move, Ruby Walsh is coming back from an ankle injury a day ahead of schedule to ride John Hanlon's charge in tomorrow's race, and this could be a pointer in its own right.

However, if Go Native comes out of the Down Royal race with another victory to his credit, connections are thought to be considering a run in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle, where he could come up against Champion Hurdle winner Punjabi.

Fenton very happy with Dunguib.

Philip Fenton can never be accused of being anything but enthusiastic about the horses in his care, and this is doubly the case when he talks about last year's Champion Bumper winner Dunguib. In his most recent interview, the handler has indicated his six-year-old has progressed since his opening win at Galway, and his next run will be at Grade 1 level in the Bar One Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse on 28 November. A win at Fairyhouse would then almost certainly enhance Dunguib's position at the head of the betting for the 2010 supreme Novices Hurdle.

Haydock gets all clear.

After an early morning inspection, todays national hunt card at Haydock park was given the go-ahead as the track was passed as raceable. Conditions are described as heavy soft in places, and even with more showers forecast for today, course officials are happy for racing to take place.

Dettori keen to move up the list.

Frankie Dettori has eight Breeders Cup wins to his credit, and this already makes him the fourth most successful jockey in the twenty six year history of what many regard as the world Championships for flat racing.

However, the anglisised Italian admits he is very keen to fly the flag for Europe by moving up the listings of most successful jockeys to have ridden in the Breeders Cup competition. Frankie only wants one winner to make him third equal in the all time rankings alongside Chris McCarron, and with a minimum of seven rides over the two days of the Santa Anita event, he is very hopeful he can obtain a minimum of one winner in his goal to climb the roll of honour.

Last week, Frankie was determined to take his British racing tally to the one hundred winner mark for the season, and with this determination he turned in a four winner day at Lingfield Park, and one gets the impression a similar determined streak has surfaced ahead of his rides at Santa Anita - So Frankie may be the jockey to follow over the next two days of the Breeders Cup.

O'Brien now totally happy with Rip Van Winkle.

Having watched Rip Van Winkle on the Santa Anita track on Wednesday, Aidan O'Brien reports he is now totally satisfied the foot problem which had originated last week has now cleared up, and the Master of Ballydoyle seems to think a fully fit Rip Van Winkle gives him the best opportunity he has ever had to win the Breeders Cup Classic. Discussing the race, O'Brien said,

"When at his best, Rip Van Winkle is possibly the best ten furlong horse I have ever trained, and while Zenyatta will have to prove her stamina, Rip Van Winkle has proved himself at the highest level, and if anything, he has progressed since his last run. If he gets a clear round, I think he provides the best chance I have ever had of winning the Breeders Cup Classic."

Punjabi on track for Fighting Fifth repeat.

Sources in Nicky Henderson's Sevenbarrows yard indicate Champion Hurdler Punjabi is looking 'awesome' in his preparations for a repeat win in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle on 28 November.

A narrow winner of last year's Grade 1 hurdle when it had to be switched to Wetherby, Punjabi missed out on the wbx million pound bonus, (awarded to the same season winner of the Fighting Fifth Hurdle, Christmas Hurdle and Champion Hurdle), when he fell in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton Park last December.

It is thought connections may be considering the same three races for Punjabi during the upcoming season, but with some fine former novices coming through into the senior ranks for the 2009 2010 campaign, Punjabi will have to have maintained his form if he is to land a Grade 1 treble against top opposition.

Nacarat likely to take on Kauto at Haydock.

After a somewhat disappointing race in the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter on Tuesday, Tom George has admitted a short trip as a seasonal debut was probably the wrong move for Nacarat. But the handler does believe he will have benefitted from the 'pipe opener', and George is now intending to step last season's emphatic Racing Post Chase winner back up to three miles in the Betfair Chase at Haydock Park on 21 November. This option will put Nacarat on an early season collision course with Kauto Star, and George admits his young chaser will have to improve immensely from his Exeter performance if he is to trouble the two time Cheltenham Gold Cup winner.

Nicholls favours Poquelin on good ground.

The Stewart family have a considerable number of horses in training with Paul Nicholls, and in an interview yesterday, Andy Stewart admitted the trainer feels Poquelin is his best chance of winning the Paddy Power Gold Cup if the going at Cheltenham remains good. But Stewart confided he has a sneaking suspicion Tatenen could be the one to follow.

"Remember he only just missed out on winning a Grade 1 last season, and his poor performance at Punchestown was probably down to having too long a season. He has already started this campaign with a win, and I have a feeling he could improve a lot this year, and the Paddy Power is certainly within his capabilities."

Holland faces charges in Cyprus.

Thirty seven year old professional jockey Darryl Holland is expected to appear in court in Kyrenia in Cyprus today to face charges of passing false currency last Thursday. Holland and a friend were arrested last week, and it is not sure at this stage as to whether they will be granted bail at today's hearing.

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It was reported later this afternoon, Darryl Holland has been released without charge, and is now due to return to Britain in the next day or two.

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