Untitled Document

For the best travel deals to North America & the West Indies:

Sizing Europe to by-pass Leopardstown.

Henry de Bromhead has confirmed this season's top rated novice chaser Sizing Europe will by-pass next weekend's Arkle Challenge Cup at Leopardstown, and instead will now head straight to the Cheltenham Festival, where he has several entries in both novice and senior races.

The decision was made all the easier as de Bromhead watched former 2008 Irish Champion Bumper, and Sizing Europe's stable companion, An Cathaoir Mor land the well contested Beginners Chase at Fairyhouse this afternoon. Follwoing the race, de Bromhead commented,

"Having shown he is bang in form, Am Cathaoir Mor is likely to take in next week's Arkle Challenge Cup, while Sizing Europe will now go to Cheltenham as a fresh horse".

Mullins pair take honours in Normans Grove.

Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh combined to land today's Grade 2 Normans Grove Chase at Fairyhouse as Scots Irish took the spoils in great style.

Coming alongside the front running Mansony at the third last, Scots Irish then ended the race as a contest as he put in a fantastic jump at the penultimate fence, and then ran on strongly in the closing stages to score by four and a half lengths from stable mate Snowy Morning.

Mullins indicated Scots Irish would certainly have another outing before the Cheltenham Festival, but he thought a step up in trip for the Ryanair Chase may be on the cards in March.

Snowy Morning continued his recent good form over totally inadequate trips, and he is now looking like a good prospect in this year's Aintree Grand National.

However, Aran Concerto and Rare Bob disappointed, and it is difficult to see either of them figuring in major races during the remainder of the current national hunt season.

McCoy proves he is the Master of Ffoslas.

Tony McCoy took his tally at Ffoslas to 13 victories as he landed a 40/1 treble at today's meeting in South Wales. Success aboard; Meath All Star, The Sliotar, and Made In Time, means the 'champ' has a strike rate of 47% on all of his various rides at Ffoslas, and 50% when riding for County Meath trainer Gordon Elliott.

Hughes confident over Siegemaster chances.

Despite going up six pounds in the handicap for his second in the Paddy Power Handicap at Christmas, trainer Dessie Hughes believes Siegemaster is primed for a good run in this week's Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park,

"Siegemaster is in great shape, and although heavy going is not ideal, he will like the course, and if he gets into a good rhythm with his jumping, I would expect him to be thereabouts at the finish".

Game Spirit to decide Voy Por Ustedes target.

Alan King has today confirmed former Champion Chaser Voy Por Ustedes as an intended runner in next month's Game Spirit Chase at Newbury. King went on to say,

"We have not yet decided whether to run Voy Por Ustedes in this year's Queen Mother Champion Chase or the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham, and we think the best way to assess his target is to see how he fares in the Game Spirit". King added,

"He is in good shape, and as he tends to show his best form in the Spring, we are hopeful the Newbury run will indicate his best trip in March".

Meade to send stars straight to Festival.

Noel Meade is in favour of sending Go Native and Pandorama straight to the Cheltenham Festival without any additional racecourse activity.

The Navan based trainer has confirmed Fighting Fifth and Christmas Hurdle winner Go Native is now back in training for the Champion Hurdle - a race which could see him land a £1 million bonus if he can finish first. While Pandorama, who short headed Weapons Amnesty in the Knight Frank Chase at Christmas remains unbeaten this season, and is now being prepared for the RSA Chase at Prestbury Park.

Explaining his reasons for sending both horses straight to the Festival, Meade said,

"It has always been the plan to send Go Native straight to the Champion Hurdle. I think he has already proved himself at the highest level so far this season, and it is often tempting to take in too many good races with a good horse, but I would rather get him to Cheltenham fresh and in tip top condition for a race which could seal his reputation as a 'great horse'.

"With regard to Pandorama, he had a tough race at Leopardstown over Christmas, and as a big horse, it takes him time to get himself back in shape. I think he has real prospects of landing this year's RSA chase, and I want to be sure of sending him to cheltenham in prime condition".

Death reported of Celestial Gold.

Former Martin Pipe inmate and 2004 Paddy Power Gold cup and Hennessy Gold cup winner Celestial Gold has died of a cancer related illness at the age of 12.

Regarded by many pundits as a horse who did not live up to his early promise, there is however no doubt Celestial Gold was a classy horse who gave many race-goers a lot of good memories.

Johnston hopeful Awzaan will be a Classic colt.

Although reporting Middle Park Stakes winner Awzaan has only grown 'a little bit' over the winter, Malton based trainer Mark Johnston is happy with the racing shape of his three-year-old Classic contender, and he told ATR he was aiming the colt at the 2,000 Guineas, subject to approval from owner Sheikh Hamden.

Going on to discuss the progressive four-year-old Jukebox Jury, Johnston said,

"His first objective is the Dubai Sheema Classic at the new Meydan racecourse on Dubai World Cup weekend. As we are not taking in any other races, he will go out just one week before his proposed run. After that, there are no suitable Group 1 races until the summer, but I would then expect him to go for the Coronation Cup and King George".

Change of heart means titanic clash is on the cards.

Last week Zenyatta's co-owner Jerry Moss indicated his mare would not race on after becoming the first female to win the Breeders Cup Classic, but it seems Zenyatta has been so impressive in her weekly work outs at Hollywood Park in California, Connections have now had a change of heart, and instead of going to the Kentucky paddocks the unbeaten 'wonder mare' is to race on in 2010.

The decision sets up the prospect of a titanic clash between six-year-old Zenyatta and the other unbeatne female in American racing Rachel Alexandra. The latter had a superb season as a three-year-old, winning the Kentucky Oaks and Belmont Stakes amongst others, and with her connections also believed to want to see a decider between the two mares, American racing could be in for a season to remember!

Plumpton gets go ahead.

Following an early morning inspection, tomorrow's card at Plumpton has been given the green light after clerk of the Course Mark Cornford found all the surface water present on Saturday had disappeared.

With the forecast suggesting clear skies for the next 24 hours, racing is expected to go ahead at the East Sussex venue on ground varying between very soft and heavy.

Thurles chase card given thumbs up.

Tomorrow's re-arranged all chase card at Thurles will go ahead after the course was passed fit during an inspection on Sunday morning. The ground is described as heavy but eminently raceable.

Sir Robert changes emphasis.

Renowned in recent years for chasers like Exotic Dancer and Voy Por Ustedes, racehorse owner Sir Robert Ogden seems to be changing his emphasis towards flat racing. This informed opinion comes hard on the heels of an announcement the multi millionaire is to have two-year-olds in training with four leading flat trainers for the 2010 flat season. It is understood Richard Fahey, Brian Meehan, Sir Michael Stoute, and Dermot Weld are to train the new flat string, and with trainers of such eminance involved it would seem Sir Robert will not have to wait long for his first flat winner in 2010.

Scoop Six rolls over to next week.

With no Scoop Six entrants managing to pick Novikov in the last leg of yesterday's wager, the Win Fund of £73,066 will now roll over to next Saturday.

The five punters who shared last weeks Win Fund all failed to pick Micheal Flips in the Bonus Lanzarote Hurdle Race, and this means next week's Bonus Fund will start at £135,010.