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Kemps mistake makes it easy for bob.

Under a steady ride from Ruby Walsh, former Grade 2 winning hurdler Kemps seemd to be on track to land his debut over fences in this afternoon's two mile Beginners Chase at Thurles, but a major mistake at a fence down the back straight on the final circuit knocked the stuffing out of the 1/3 race favourite, and Walsh did well to get his charge back alongside race leader See You Bob prior to the last fence.

However, the Paul Nolan trained See You Bob has been keeping good company this season, and after a good jump over the last, he found plenty up the run in, scoring by two and a half lengths from the slightly disappointing Kemps.

Salden Licht makes hard work of Plumpton victory.

Alan King's Salden Licht had been an impressive winner of his debut over hurdles at Newbury earlier in the season, but on his re-appearance this afternoon at Plumpton he made hard work of disposing of 33/1 outsider Sarando.

Everything seemed to be going according to plan as the 10/11 favourite came alongside Sarando at the beginning of the home straight, but Sarando continued to battle, and Salden Licht could only get his head in front on the run in, scoring by a neck as favourite backers let out a collective sigh of relief.

Following the narrow victory, jockey Robert Thornton commented,

"He is better than that. He did absolutely nothing once he got his head in front, but I am confident he will come on for today's run".

Zaynar could bring some cheer to Kelso.

Kelso racecourse has lost three fixtures over the past few weeks as it has been in the grip of arctic conditions, but the recent warmer weather may be boosted by the news from the Nicky Henderson camp that leading Champion Hurdle prospect Zaynar may line up in the Morebattle Hurdle at Kelso on 18 February. In an interview today, Henderson indicated,

"We don't see the point of supplementing Zaynar for the Irish Champion Hurdle , so we will have to look for a viable alternative in Britain, and that brings the Morebattle Hurdle at Kelso into the equation".

Ten still involved in Victor Chandler Chase.

At today's five day decleration stage, 10 runners still remain to contest Saturday's Victor chandler Chase at Ascot.

Paul Nicholls will rely solely on impressive Tingle Creek winner Twist Magic, and certainly if the eight-year-old can transfer his wide margin Sandown winning performance to Ascot, he could well prove to be a major threat to stable mate Masterminded in this year's running of the Queen Mother Champion Chase.

Nicky Henderson's Kempton Desert Orchid Chase winner Petit Robin has the most progressive profile, and on all known form he should offer the main threat to Twist Magic.

Although the David Pipe trained Well Chief has finished behind the two market leaders in his last two outings, the West Country handler believes the undulating course and stiff fences at Ascot will suit his eleven-year -old, and Pipe is confident his charge will be involved in the finish on Saturday.

Alan King's 2009 Grand Annual Chase winner Oh Crick is due to step up to top class for the first time. While Nick Williams will be hoping Cornas will use his recent morale boosting win to step on in major company.

Howard Johnson could have two representatives, but Lennon has not raced for nearly two years, and Santa'sSon looks out of his depth in Grade 1company.

Gary Moore's very progressive Fix therib could be the best each way bet in the race, but Kinkeel and Sunday Ffoslas winner Oiseau de Nuit will have to step up considerably if they are to figure amongst the principals.

Dunguib may face Load in next outing.

Henry de Bromhead is said to be seriously thinking of taking on the all conquering Dunguib with his Cheltenham Grade 2 winner Loosen My Load in the Deloitte Hurdle at Leopardstown on 07 February. Explaiing his thought process, de Bromhead said,

"We have not made up our minds at present, but Loosen My Load will have to face Dunguib at some stage, and the Deloitte could be a good opportunity for us to see what we have to do if we are to be serious contenders for novice hurdling honours at the Cheltenham Festival".

Cleeve Hurdle could be an interesting contest.

Former Cheltenham Gold Cup winner War of Attrition is known to be in his last competitive season, but he suprised trainer Mouse Morris when finishing fourth in a hurdle race on his last outing at the Leopardstown Christmas Festival, and the handler is now considering giving his eleven-year-old another outing over the smaller obstacles, with this Thursday's Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran Park, or the Byrne Group Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham on Saturday week as his two possible targets.

The Cleeve Hurdle is also the intended target for Willie Amos's Lie Forrit, but the Scottish trainer has been hampered so badly by the recent winter weather, Lie Forrit has not been able to train for over a fortnight, and his participation in the race is now dependant on a gallop tomorrow morning.

With several of the major long distance hurdlers indicating they will by-pass the Cleeve Hurdle, this year's contest could throw up an unexpected winner, with either of the two mentioned above having possible claims on a top three finish.

Nolan believes ground is key to Alpha Ridge.

Trainer Paul Nolan is very hopeful Alpha Ridge can put his poor run in the Knight Frank Chase behind him when he lines up in the Woodlands park 100 Club Novice Chase at Naas tomorrow. Discussing his thoughts, Nolan said,

"He gave Pandorama a real scare in the Drinmore Chase earlier in the season, but that was on soft ground. On reflection, the going at Leopardstown over Christmas may have been too fast for him, and in future we intend to race him on soft ground, starting with Naas on Tuesday". Nolan added,

"If Alpha Ridge can recapture his Drinmore form on the soft ground at Naas, I would be very hopeful he can get his head in front against tomorrow's opposition".

Hearts of Fire to go straight to Guineas.

Hearts of Fire, who provided Pat Eddery with his first Group 1 success when landing the prestigious Grand Criterium at Milan's San Siro racecourse in October, is likely to go straight to the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket on 01 May.

The form of Hearts of Fire's Italian victory was given a major boost when runner up Vale of York later went on to land the Breeders Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita in California, and it is known Pat Eddery is very hopeful his son of Firebreak can dismiss his current anti post pricing of 25/1 by providing the former Champion Jockey with his first Classic success as a trainer.

Nacarat unaffected by enforced training break.

While confirming the likes of Tartak and leading Cheltenham prospect Tell Massini have had an enforced two week holiday as Tom George's yard near Cheltenham was snow bound, the trainer has also confirmed Nacarat was unaffected by the enforced hold-up in training,

"After his good run in the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day, Nacarat has followed his normal training programme of swimming for the last two weeks, and he may well go to Ireland this weekend before having a month to recouperate prior to defending his Racing Post Chase crown on 27 February back at Kempton Park".

Albert Bartlett now on the agenda for The Hurl.

The Hurl's narrow victory at Fairyhouse yesterday afternoon was his third success in four outings, and in his only defeat this season he did manage to finish third to Shinrock Paddy in a Grade 1 contest at Navan. Consequently, trainer Mouse Morris thinks his seven-year-old has now earned the right to lineup in the Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

"There is not a bother on him, and as a son of Supreme Leader I would expect him to really appreciate the likely good ground at Cheltenham. I think he is still progressing, and I wouldn't be running him at March's Festival if I thought he had no chance".

Mill Chief could skip Newbury for Taunton.

Concerned the going at Newbury on Wednesday could be too testing for his well regarded french import novice hurdler Mill Chief, trainer Alan King is instead considering giving his youngster a run in a novice hurdle at Taunton on Thursday. Explaining his reasoning, King said,

"I would like to give him two more runs before the Cheltenham Festival, but I do not want to rip the guts out of him prior to March, and testing ground at Newbury would not be the right move. I will take a look at the entries at Taunton on Thursday, and if it looks a suitable line up, we will probably let him take his chance".

Mullins in time battle with Mikael.

With injury niggles and setbacks having created major problems in the training of Mikael D'Haguenet, leading Irish national hunt trainer Willie Mullins has now admitted he is in a battle against time to give last season's Albert Bartlettt Novice Hurdle winner a preparation race before this year's Cheltenham Festival. Commenting Mullins said,

"To be fair to Mikael D'Haguenet, if he is to do himself justice at Cheltenham, he has to have a preparation race, but we are now up against the clock to get him ready for an appropriate run, and as much as I would like him to take part at this year's Cheltenham Festival, I need to give him every chance of winning, and if that is not possible, we may have to look at Aintree or Punchestown".

Folkestone racecourse fined after medical lapses.

At a recent BHA Disciplinary Panel hearing, Folkestone racecourse executive wer found in breach of the Rules of Racing by failing to provide the prescribed medical equipment and materials at ttheir meeting on 06 October 2009. Despite not contesting the hearing, the racecourse management were fined £5,000 for their breach of the rules.