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Major Alex completes three timer in Grand Military Cup.

Riding for trainer Nicky Henderson, Major Alex Michael scored his third success in Sandown's Grand Military Gold Cup when giving the aptly named Scots Dragoon an exemplary ride in this afternoon's three mile chase.

Race favourite Oakfield Legend tried to set a searing pace, but the Major from the Kings Royal Hussars kept his powder dry on the Henry Ponsonby owned Scots Dragoon, and when many of his rivals had run out of puff, he brought his mount with a beautifully timed run, and eventually went on to score by 14 lengths.

On a flying visit to Sandown, Barry Geraghty completed a quick fire double for nicky Henderson when he rode 8/15 favourite Lush Life to a comfortable victory in the Charles Stanley National Hunt Novices Hurdle.

Tinkler chosen for Zaynar ride.

Andrew Tinkler is said to be delighted with picking up the ride on Zaynar in Tuesday's Champion Hurdle. With Binocular being confirmed for the two mile Grade One, Nicky Henderson needed the services of three jockeys for his trio of entrants in the Champion Hurdle, and it now seems Barry Geraghty will ride 2009 Champion Hurdler Punjabi, Tony McCoy will ride Binocular as part of his contract to ride J P Mcmanus owned horses, consequently Andrew Tinkler has been the beneficiary of the vacancy which existed in relation to Zaynar.

Binocular given all clear for Champion Hurdle.

Connections of Binocular were said to be delighted with his work out this morning, and after much speculation, Nicky Henderson has confirmed last year's Champion Hurdle third will take his chance in next week's renewal of the two mile hurdling blue-ribbon.

After several disappointing runs earlier in the season, Binocular had recently undergone a barrage of medical tests, but no reason could be found for the previous lack lustre performances, and the six-year-old returned to training, and as if to make a fool of all concerned, he has been putting in some very pleasing work in his pre-Cheltenham Festival training.

Nicholls admits laying Pepe Simo out for Imperial Cup.

Saturday's Imperial Cup is one of the very few big Saturday handicaps which have eluded Paul Nicholls during his training career, but with Pepe Simo, the handler thinks he has the horse to end that particualr 'duck'.

A winner of his first three races, the gelding found the ground and company too hot in the Grade One Christmas Hurdle at Kempton Park, but Nicholls confesses he has laid Pepe Simo out for tomorrow's race, and with trip and ground to suit, connections are keeping their fingers crossed Pepe Simo can provide Nicholls with his first win in the Imperial Cup.

However, after consecutive wins at Kempton Park and Sandown, and then just making the cut for the Imperial Cut on Thursday, Philip Hobbs is hoping Qaspal can complete a three timer in tomorrow's race.

"It is much better company, and he will have to be at his best, but if he is to get into one of the handicaps at next week's Cheltenham Festival, he needs to win tomorrow to obtain a qualifying mark." Hobbs then added,

"Of course, the £75,000 bonus for the Imperial winner going on to win a race at Cheltenham is also attractive, but we will take one step at a time."

Big Bucks faces a host of former Cheltenham winners.

At today's latest decleration stage for the Ladbrokes sponsered World Hurdle, 2009 winner Big Bucks looks as if he will have to defeat a host of former Cheltenham winners if he is to land his second successive World Hurdle title. Amongst his remaining 15 rivals are Catch It, (Champion Hurdler 2008), War of Attrition, (Gold Cup winner 2006), Cousin Vinny, (Champion Bumper 2008), and Tidal Bay, (Arkle Trophy victor 2008).

Nickey Henderson could be represented by the lightly raced Sentry Duty, while the consistant Cape Tribulation still holds an entry for the Malcolm Jefferson yard.

With Fair Along, Ebadiyan, Karabak, Mourad,Oscar Dan Dan, Power Station, Royal and Regal, and Time For Rupert all still engaged, Big Bucks will have to be a true 'champion' if he is to collect his second successive win in this ultra competitive three mile Grade One Race.

Gosden very happy with Dar re mi.

After watching Dar re mi complete an excellent piece of work on Racecourse Side at Newmarket this morning, trainer John Gosden expressed his satisfaction with the mare's preparation for the Sheema Classic on 27 March:

"Based on her work so far this year, Dar re mi seems to be as good, if not better than last year, and providing we can get her to Dubai in one piece, I would be optimistic of her chances in the Sheema Classic."

Eighteen hoping to fly high in Ryanair.

Following the latest scratching stage for next week's Ryanair Chase, 18 entrants have stood their ground.

Edward O'Grady's Tranquil Sea and the Paul nicholls trained Poquelin have already clashed at Cheltenham this season in the Paddy Power Gold Cup, and while the former triumphed on that occasion, many pundits believe Poquelin could reverse the placings in this season's Ryanair Chase.

However, both horses have some pretty formidable opposition in this ultra competitive Cheltenham race, including previous Festival winners Albertas Run, New Mill and Voy Por Ustedes.

Nicky Henderson could have three entrants, with Barbers Shop, Petit Robin, and the lightly raced Jack The Giant still in the current mix. But not to be outdone, Willie Mullins still has five declared runners including; Barker, Deutschland, Golden Silver, Scots Irish and J'Y Vole.

Made In Taipan and last year's third Schindlers Hunt make up the Irish entry. While Peterborough Chase winner Deep Purple could represent Welsh trainer Evan Williams. The current eihteen declared runners being completed by Planet of Sound and Master Medic.

George to rely on Brennan whenever possible.

With Sam Thomas being sidelined for some considerable time with a cracked vertebrae in his neck, Tom George has had to go on the hunt for a replacement jockey for his runners at next week's Cheltenham Festival, and he has now acquired the services of Paddy Brennan when he is not being claimed to ride horses for Nigel Twiston Davies.

George admits he is very happy to have acquired Brennan's services, while the jockey is now in line to ride Tell Massini in the Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle, and the progressive Olofi in the JCB Triumph Hurdle, and when these new opportunities are added to Brennans existing book of ridees, such as Weird Al in the RSA Chase, he could now be an outside bet to win the Cheltenham Champion Jockey Title determined over the four days of the Cotswolds meeting.

Haggas very happy with Penitent.

Providing an update on current Lincoln Handicap favourite Penitent, William Haggas said today:

"He's in excellent order and has done everything we have asked of him at home. If he continues in the same vane, and providing we get a clear run in the actual race, I would be very hopeful of him finishing amongst the principals at Doncaster."

Gitano in great order ahead of World Cup.

Marco Botti reports Gitano Hernando has come out of his run in the Winter Derby Trial at Lingfield in superb condition, and all things are now 'go' for a run in the Dubai World Cup on 27 March.

Discusssing his plans for the next couple of weeks, Botti said,

"I am hoping Kieran Fallon will give him a work out over here, and then we will send him to Dubai on 20 March. He usually travels well, and I am hopeful he will go into the World Cup in the same condition as when winning at Santa Anita last October."

Coming back to domestic matters, Botti is very hopeful Fanunalter will have benefitted from a gelding operation when he lines up in tomorrow's Lincoln Trial at Lingfield Park.

"Fanunalter lost his way after his fine maiden win at Kempton last year, but since his gelding operation he seems to have better concentration, and I am very hopeful he will put in a good showing on Saturday."

Botti also indicated the Joey Barton owned filly Electric Feel has done well over the winter, and he is looking forward to running her in either the Nell Gwyn or Fred Darling Stakes prior to a possible tilt at either the British or French 1,000 Guineas.

Dunelight aiming to do a quick Wulfruna.

Having been plying his trade in Dubai in recent weeks, Dunelight is returning to Wolverhampton tomorrow in the hope of securing victory in the Lady Wolfruna Stakes.

Sixth in the Zabeel Mile in Dubai just a week ago, the seven-year-old proved he still has plenty of class, and he has been brought back to Britain in quick order with the hope of taking Saturday's Listed seven furlong prize.

Explaining the thoughts behind the quick return, trainer Clive Cox said,

"I'm very pleased with the way he came out of his race in Dubai, and while he has had a long journey this week, I can't forget he ran a blinder there, finishing less than three lengths off the winner in a Group Two. While we're taking a chance running him back so quickly, I think it's worth it for a race like this, and the drop back in trip to seven furlongs shouldn't be a problem. Hopefully, the sun on his back will have done him some good, and he will show it in Saturday's race."

Chris Dwyer runs the ever consistant Mia's Boy in the same race, but he has mixed feelings over the possible outcome. For if Mia's Boy were to win tomorrow, it would make him too high in the handicap for a possible run in the Lincoln at the end of the month, and Dwyer would then have to seek out Listed alternatives, and in the early part of the season, this would almost certainly mean Mia's Boy would find himself competing against potential pattern horses, a prospect which would make it very difficult for the highly rated handicapper.

Thomas injury rules out Cheltenham rides.

Sam Thomas has been ruled out of this year's Cheltenham Festival after cracking a vertebrae in his neck during training gallops at Paul Nicholls's Ditcheat yard on Thursday morning.

Thomas had been out on the 'first lot' gallop when the incident occurred, and when paramedics arrived, they realised the potential seriousness of his injuries, and called for an air ambulance to take the jockey to the Royal United Hospital in Bath. After x-rays and scans were taken at the hospital, Thomas was eventually told he had had a lucky escape, for although he had cracked a vertebrae high up in his neck, he had escaped any form of paralysis, and should make a full recovery.

The injury obviously rules Thomas out of the Cheltenham Festival, where he was due to ride Tricky Trickster for Paul Nicholls in the Cheltnham Gold Cup, and possibly his best chance of success - Tell Massini for Tom George in the albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle.

Depending on the extentof the cracked vertebrae, it is possible Thomas could now be sidelined until well into the Summer jumping campaign.

Madison by-passes Cheltenham in favour of Aintree.

As expected, David Pipe has decided to by-pass the Cheltenham Gold Cup with Madison de Berlais, and instead the gelding is to be prepared for a likely crack at the Totesport Bowl on the first day of the three day Grand National meeting in April.

Madison de Berlais has never performed well on the undulating track at Prestbury Park, and while he has not shown last season's form during the current campaign, connections are hopeful Aintree's flat and sharp Mildmay Course may provide their charge with an opportunity to score his first major victory of the 2009 - 2010 national hunt season.