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Genes Reunited

27 entered in Gold Cup.

A field of 27 has been entered for this year’s totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup in March, and it should see the much-anticipated rematch between previous winners Kauto Star and Denman as both horses were confirmed at the first entry stage.

The Paul Nicholls trained Super Stars form the backbone of a six-strong team for the champion trainer who has also entered Lexus Chase winner What A Friend, plus Grand National favourite Tricky Trickster. My Will and Taranis complete the sextet from Ditcheat.

Other notable horses to get an entry include last year’s Ryanair Chase winner Imperial Commander, totesport Bowl winner Madison Du Berlais and Sun Alliance Chase winner Cooldine. There is no entry however for recent John Durkan winner Joncol.

Speaking on behalf of the race sponsers, totesport spokesman George Primarolo said,

‘We’ve already seen two fantastic head-to-heads between Kauto Star and Denman in previous Gold Cups and this year’s renewal will surely be seen as the decider between the two. Given that we’ve arguably seen both horses post their best ever performances this season, then this year’s Gold Cup should be one that defines a generation – So roll on March!’

Kempton all weather unlikely for Punjabi.

Although Nicky Henderson has given 2009 Champion Hurdler Punjabi a speculative entry at Kempton Park's alternative all weather Bumper Meeting on Saturday, the Sevenbarrows handler said today,

"I think the Kempton initiative is excellent, and as a precaution I gave Punjabi an entry in Saturday's card, but to be honest, I think we will probably go for the Champion Hurdle Trial at Haydock on Saturday week, or the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown on the following day". Henderson added,

"I am not really keen on facing his main opponents prior to Cheltenham, but with the season being so badly effected by the cold weather, it is now becoming a case of giving him some form of top quality racing experience prior to the defence of his Champion Hurdle crown, and with limited options, we will inevitably run into some of his main opponents".

Henderson also raised the vague possibility that unbeaten Zaynar could be considered for the Toshiba sponsered Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown, but he seemed to dismiss the idea almost as quickly as he raised it, saying,

"Zaynar is not entered in the Irish Champion Hurdle, but I am sure I could get him supplemented if necessary, but I think we will keep him over longer trips than two miles for the moment".

Kempton twilight fixture given green light.

Despite five centimetres of snow falling on Kempton Park overnight and this morning, after a delayed inspection, Clerk of the Course Barney Clifford has confirmed the course and facilities will be cleared in time for this afternoon's twilight meeting, and the all weather racing programme goes ahead as scheduled.

Today's Lingfield meeting abandoned.

After two inspections this morning, (6.30 am and 8.30 am), Lingfield Clerk of the Course Neil Mackenzie Ross decided to abandon today's planned all weather meeting due to access concerns.

Over an inch of snow had fallen in the Lingfield area overnight, and with the new snow having covered patches of hard ice on the access roads to the course, it was thought conditions wer not suitable for potential race-goers and service vehicles who would be attending today's fixture. Consequently, on safety grounds, Mackenzie Ross decided it would be safer to cancel today's scheduled meeting.

With regard to the proposed meeting at Lingfield on Thursday 14 January, Mackenzie Ross has called a 6.30 am inspection of the course tomorrow morning, but with the snow having now stopped, and with warmer conditions forecast to follow in behind the current weather front, Mackenzie Ross is said to be very optimistic that tomorrow's all weather card will go ahead as planned.

Snow forces cancellation of back up card.

We advised in yesterday's news section that the BHAA had given Musselburgh permission to stage an additional race meeting on Saturday 16 January if the meetings at Warwick and Wetherby fell to the weather, but the BHA had also put Fontwell Park on stadn-by for the same reason.

However, heavy snow has now covered Britain's only figure of eight track, and with racing made impossible by the winter weather , the BHA have withdrawn their plan to use Fontwell Park as a back-up course for weekend national hunt turf racing.

Thaw may not come in time for Friday Musselburgh card.

Officials at Musselburgh have today indicated, with some snow still lying on the East Lothian track, the forecast thaw may not come in time to save their meeting on Friday 15 January.

However, if the forecast improvement in the weather materialises over Thursday and Friday, Clerk of the Course Andrea Morshead is more hopeful the back-up national hunt turf meeting for Saturday 16 January could go ahead if required by the BHA.

Warwick off as Kempton hold Thursday inspection.

Saturday's turf meeting at Warwick has been abandoned as more snow added to the existing covering on the Midlands track, and if the thaw sets in in time at Musselburgh, this will almost certainly mean the Scottish racecourse will be called on by the BHA to stage a replacement turf national hunt fixture this coming Saturday, 16 January.

With more snow having fallen on Kempton Park today, it would seem unlikely Saturday's planned turf national hunt card will go ahead, but to give the meeting every opportunity, Clerk of the Course Barney Clifford will not inspect his turf course until Thursday afternoon.

If Kempton's turf meeting does fail tomorrow's inspection, it will automatically trigger the racecourse's replacement all weather National Hunt Bumper programme announced earlier in the week.

Thurles joins the list of casualties.

The all hurdle card scheduled for Thurles on Thursday has been cancelled as the track is unraceable, and it is expected Friday's proposed all Chase card at the Irish venue will join the ever growing list of national hunt turf cancellations.

Geraghty rates Voler Champion Hurdle chances.

Aboard Voler la Vedette when she trounced subsequent Fighting Fifth and Christmas Hurdle winner Go Native at Down Royal in November, jockey Barry Geraghty has a unique perspective on Colm Murphy's progressive mare, and in an interview with ATR today, Geraghty indicated Voler la Vedette had a good chance of featuring in this year's Cheltenham Champion Hurdle:

"Although the ground at Down Royal was on the slow side, the way she saw off Go Native told me Voler la Vedette is an exceptional mare, and with the Champion Hurdle being so open this year, I would say she has every chance if Colm Murphy decides to run her in that particular race".

Doncaster return on the cards for Character Building.

Due to injury setbacks, last season's Kim Muir Challenge Cup winner Character Building has not been seen on a race track since his Cheltenham victory, but trainer John Quinn is now very hopeful his ten-year-old will return to action in the Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster on 30 January. As Quinn explains,

"It has been a very frustrating time. Character Building suffered a stone bruise after the Kim Muir, and when we were ready to run him again in the Hennessy Gold Cup, he suffered another setback, and we have just had to be patient. He is now ready to run, and the Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster would seem to be the right option as we try to get him in shape for a crack at the Grand National in April".

Albert Bartlett objective for Tell Massini.

Tom George has today confirmed Tell Massini is back in full training after a small holiday, and the handler has also indicated the three time unbeaten youngster will be prepared for a run in the Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Already a dual winner at Prestbury Park, Tell Massini has proved his liking for the undulations at Cheltenham, and he must be at the very least a major each way chance for his chosen objective in March.

Sanders raring to get back into action.

Seb Sanders has suffered considerably since he broke his left leg in a flat race fall at Chester in 2008, but the former Champion Jockey reports his latest corrective surgery has been a complete success, and he is now raring to get back into full action, and hopes to start full time race riding next month.

Godolphin preparing Vale of York for Kentucky Derby.

It would seem Breeders Cup Juvenile winner Vale of York is to be prepared by Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin organisation for a return to action in America, with the Kentucky Derby being set as the progressive three-year-old's ultimate objective.

Frank Ward Solicitors to sponser Leopardstown Arkle Chase.

Leading Dublin Solicitor Frank Ward has today announced the signing of a 3-year deal with Leopardstown Racecourse to sponsor the Frank Ward Solicitors Arkle Chase, which will be run on Sunday, 24th January in 2010. This Grade 1 race is long established as one of the most important steeplechases for novices in Ireland.

This year’s Frank Ward Solicitors Arkle Chase, with a total prize fund of €80,000, has attracted it’s usual quality entry, and at this stage, it looks like a wide open contest.

Amongst the very smart horses currently engaged are; Edward O’Grady’s Osana, runner-up to Sizing Europe at Christmas which was his first defeat over fences, and the only English trained contender in Paul Nicholls’s Take The Breeze, who is unbeaten on his only three chase starts and was a good winner at Newbury on his most recent appearance.
Trainer Willie Mullins can choose from a seven strong entry with the likes of both Cousin Vinny and Mikael D’Haguenet likely to be strong contenders if lining up while recent impressive course winner, Zaarito, would have to be feared if allowed to take his chance for the Colm Murphy yard. Noel Meade has entered two horses with top class hurdler Muirhead, who was fifth in last season’s Cheltenham Champion Hurdle, an intriguing contender, while Liam Burke’s Major Finnegan has done nothing wrong on his two chase starts to date and merits plenty of respect.

Explaining their sponsership of the Arkle Chase, Frank Ward, Solicitor said: -

"Despite the recession we thankfully have a vibrant practice and are delighted to be in a position to make a three year commitment to a race named after Ireland's greatest chaser, which will now be called the Frank Ward Solicitors Arkle Chase. We have previously sponsored the Bumper on Hennessy Gold Cup day but we jumped at the opportunity to get involved in such a prestigious race.”

Ciaran Conroy, Commercial Manager of Leopardstown Racecourse said: -

“Frank Ward is a wonderful supporter of Irish racing and Leopardstown Racecourse. It is a pleasure to welcome him as the sponsor of this long-established steeplechase on a wonderful weekend of top-class National Hunt competition on 23 and 24 January."