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Nicholls cancels media visit due to coughing outbreak.
Paul Nicholls has today cancelled a planned pre-Cheltenham Festival media visit to his yard, due to take place on Wednesday 22 February.
The decision has been brought about as several of his horses are coughing, and with some of his runners having disappointed over the weekend, the Ditcheat based handler said this morning:
“It is fairly obvious that we had a moderate weekend.
“We have several horses coughing and my first priority is to the owners in my yard.
“It is my duty to leave no stone unturned now as we prepare for the last three weeks before The Festival and, in these circumstances, we do not feel it is appropriate to invite the media on Wednesday.
“I am very sorry for any inconvenience this causes, but I hope that all concerned will understand that my horses and owners must come first.”
While worries may now arise about Kauto Star's involvement in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, owner Clive Smith said:
"I spoke to Paul on Sunday night, and apparently Kauto Star is fine.
"As we know, Paul has an outbreak of coughing amongst one or two of his horses, but hopefully, it won't effect Kauto Star. We won't know for sure until it either fades out, or Kauto Star gets it, but we hope he doesn't get it, as it could interupt his programme, and the Gold Cup is not far away now, just 3 weeks on Friday."
Planet of sound heads Racing Plus weights.
Not seen on a racecourse since chasing home Carruthers in the Hennessy Gold Cup last November, Planet of Sound heads the weights for Saturday’s Racing Plus Chase at Kempton, following today’s 5 Day Decleration Stage.
Philip Hobbs, who has trained the winner of this valuable Grade Three contest on four previous occasions, is hoping to use the 3 mile contest as an ideal stepping stone for Planet of Sound ahead of an intended run in the John Smiths Aintree Grand National.
Following a breathing operation in the summer, the ten-year-old has been lightly raced this season with the National in mind, but with his past record in the race, it is unlikely Philip Hobbs has entered Planet of Sound just to make up the numbers on Saturday.
Nacarat will represent trainer Tom George in the 3 mile contest for a fourth time - having won this race in 2009 when it was called the Racing Post Chase, and also having been second in 2010, and third in last year’s renewal of the staying test, and if the going at the weekend is good or better, Nacarat could figure again in the major placings.
Evan Williams has left Deep Purple in the mix. While Paul Nicholls could be doubly represented by Royal Charm and Michelle le bon.
Colin Tizzard could also have two runners in the form of Mount Oscar, and Saturday’s Haydock winner Cannington Brook.
Ted Walsh has entered Seabass, a winner of his last six races, and potentially the only Irish-trained runner in the race.
Completing the current line-up are Fiendish Flame, Hector’s Choice, Consigliere, Sarando, Fruity O’Rooney, Billy McGern, and Soixante.
Major Triumph prospects still in Adonis test.
With the winner of the last two JCB triumph Hurdle contests - Soldatino and Zarkandar – having won the last two runnings of Saturday’s williamhill.com Adonis Hurdle at Kempton, the race could be a major guide to this year’s Triumph Hurdle at the cheltenham Festival.
With the likes of Alan King’s Grumeti, the Philip Hobbs-trained Saddlers Risk, Dildar from the Paul Nicholls yard, and Lyvius from Nicky Henderson’s Sevenbarrows string, all of whom are prominent in the ante-post market on the Triumph Hurdle, the line-up for Saturday’s contest certainly looks competitive.
Added to the mix are former winners Dark and Dangerous, Baby Mix, and Nicky Henderson’s Une Artiste. While amongst the other 6 runners in the 13 strong field is the Paul Nicholls-trained Dodging Bullets, who was bred by Frankie Dettori, and was raced on the flat in Ireland before being transferred to the Ditcheat yard for a hurdling campaign.
Black takes half share in Panther.
Former England international footballer Michael Owen has confirmed he has sold a half interest in his Doncaster St Leger runner-up Brown Panther to Betfair co-founder Andrew Black. A
Speaking via trainer Tom Dascomb’s website, Owen indicated that he had turned down several previous offers for his Ascot winner, but he could not refuse the terms offered by Black.
Black has been heavily involved in building up Owen’s purpose designed yard in Cheshire, and in his statement, Owen said:
“I’m delighted to announce Brown Panther will be transferred to our turquoise silks after transferring 50% of him to my partner Andrew Black.
“Over the last few months I have received several offers, culminating in one I could not refuse, and we now look forward to mapping out Brown Panther’s campaign together, and with Tom’s guidance.”
Ground to decide if Breeze heads to Cheltenham.
Trainer Lucinda Russell is keen for her progressive staying hurdler Brindisi Breeze to run at next month’s Cheltenham Festival, but the handler has confirmed her charge will only line-up if the going at the festival is on the easy side of good.
The six-year-old maintained his unbeatne run over timber with a Grade Two victory at Haydock on Saturday, and his 12 length victory caught the attention of the bookmakers, with Stan James quoting him as low as 9-1 for the Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle.
While Lucinda Russell shares the view that the Albert Bartlett would be Brindisi Breeze’s best option at the Festival, she is also well aware that her charge’s only defeat under rules came on good ground, so looking ahead, the trainer is cautious, saying:
“He won so nicely at Newcastle, I didn’t think he could do it again, but he did it again at Haydock on Saturday. He’s a fantastic horse to have in the yard. He’s tough and improving, but he loves soft ground.
“The ground is key, and while we’ll aim him at the Albert Bartlett, as I’ve spoken to his owner, and he’s keen, we’ll only run him if the ground is on the soft side.
“On the balance of probability, the ground for the Festival will be good, but if it were good to soft, then that would be ideal.
“We’re looking to the future with him, and long-term, he’s going to make up into a chaser, but we’re very excited about him as a hurdler.
“If the ground conditions at Cheltenham don’t suit, there’s no point in running him, as he won’t run up to his best, no matter what the prize money is. Soft ground will come again, and that is when we will run him.”
King likely to aim Star at County prize.
Alan King has confirmed his Ladbroke Hurdle winner Raya Star will get entries in both the Coral Cup and the vincent O’Brien County Hurdle at next month’s Cheltenham Festival.
King’s young hurdler has been in good form all season, and added a third place in last Friday’s valuable re-arranged Betfair Hurdle at Newbury to his good work this season, and providing he stays healthy over the next 3 weeks, Raya Star looks set to compete in one of the major Handicap Hurdles at Prestbury Park.
Evaluating his charge’s potential Festival target, King said:
“He travelled great at Newbury, and while I’m not making any excuses, it’s amazing that twice now he has taken part in slow run races, when he really needs an end to end gallop.
“In all probability, Raya Star will next run in the County Hurdle at cheltenham, but we will also give him an entry in the coral Cup, as we have always thought he would be suited by a step up in trip.”
Wade mystified by Right going wrong.
Trainer John Wade has confirmed he is mystified as to Always Right’s performance in the closing stages of Saturday’s Grand National Trial at Haydock Park.
The ten-year-old had cruised into the straight like he was going to play an important part in the finish, but after making a mistake at the third last, he was almost immediately pulled-up by partner James Reveley, after the jockey thought there was something seriously amiss with his mount.
Wade has inspected his charge in detail since Saturday, but to date cannot find anything wrong, and can only assume Always Right has not yet fully recovered from the virus that laid him low after Christmas.
Discussing the situation, Wade said:
“He just emptied very quickly. One second he was cruising, then he hit the third last, and that was it.
“It’s not the ground that caused him to do it, and having been placed in a Scottish Grand National, it’s not the trip either. It could be he’s still suffering a bit from the virus, I just don’t know.
“The way he was going on Saturday, one second I thought he was bound to be involved in the shake-up, but then James said he just emptied completely at the third last, so he decided to pull him up before the next.
“We’ll get the vet to give him some tests, but he seems okay, and it’s a mystery.”
Recession now not coming back this season.
Following the re-occurrence of an injury, connections have confirmed smart hurdler Recession Proof will now miss the remainder of the current national hunt season.
A winner of the valuable Totesport Trophy, (now renamed the Betfair Hurdle), at Newbury last year, John Quinn’s charge then went on to be a creditable fifth behind Al Ferof in the Supreme Novices Hurdle at last March’s Cheltenham Festival. But he has not re-appeared this season, and Quinn’s son and assistant, Sean, has now Tweeted:
“Recession Proof will not be seen this season after re-injuring himself at home. That’s the down side to the jumps game. We’re all gutted, as we had him so close to a come back.”
Cheltenham not on Palm agenda.
Noel Meade’s former smart hurdler Donnas Palm may have got up by a head in the dieing strides to deny Foildhub in Sunday’s Grade Two Flying Bolt Novices Chase at Navan, but the trainer has indicated a trip to Cheltenham is not on the agenda, with Meade revealing:
“He won’t be going to Cheltenham or anything like that. He’s now rated high enough, but not high enough to get in the Powers Gold Cup. So we’ll look for something a grade below that, and I think he’ll also get two and a half miles, and that opens up a few more possibilities.”
Ant and Dec become Patrons of Ascot Colts & Fillies Club.
Ant and Dec, two of the biggest names in TV and presenters of the hit shows I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!, Saturday Night Takeaway and Britain’s Got Talent, have become the first patrons of the Colts & Fillies Club at Ascot Racecourse.
The Colts & Fillies Club, which currently has over 14,000 members and celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, aims to bring horseracing to the next generation of racing enthusiasts by making the sport more accessible, educational and fun.
The Club is free to join for all children aged 16 and under and five dedicated family days form an integral part of the racing calendar at Ascot. There are specifically tailored activities for the Colts & Fillies Club members to take part in, including organised stable trips, competitions and various raceday initiatives.
In 2012, the Club will own Yurituni, a racehorse trained by Eve Johnson Houghton, and the young members will be able to experience the thrill of racehorse ownership by visiting the horse throughout the year and following her performance on the track.
Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, who met at the age of 13 on the set of the hit BBC children’s drama, Byker Grove, also have more than a passing interest in racing now that they own the horse, Primaeval, with a group of friends.
In 2011, Primaeval ran three times at Ascot and it was here that they became aware of the Colts & Fillies Club.
“We had a lot of fun with horseracing last year, it’s a great sport and a day at the races is really exciting. We’re thrilled to be involved in the Colts & Fillies Club as it offers children the opportunity to learn all about horses and racing whilst at the same time having a great deal of fun! I’m particularly keen to see how their horse runs during 2012,” said Dec.
Ant added: “Ascot is a great family friendly track and we can’t wait to visit on April 1 to have a great day out and to meet some of the Colts and Fillies members.”
You could be on a winner with Twitter.
Twitterati racehorse - Tweet Lady, who fronts the UK’s biggest free Racing Club for the Twitter community, returned to training (and trending!) for her second season this week.
Known as @peopleshorse, the three year-old filly provides tweeps with the chance to enjoy some of the benefits of owning a racehorse, simply by following her on Twitter and becoming a part of the Club: The People’s Horse.
This racehorse-owning experience was launched by Racing for Change in 2011, with the aim of giving online users the chance to learn more about the sport of horseracing and the thrill of being part of the action. Through Twitter, Tweet Lady – who won two races last season – gives her followers a unique insight into her stable life, training regime and hopes before racing, with a few NOLs (Neigh Out Loud) thrown in for good measure!
Tweet Lady, who’s trained in Devon by Rod Millman and ridden by his jockey son James, has attracted almost 2,000 followers on Twitter to date. Fans of @peopleshorse can learn more about the filly through a dedicated website, www.thepeopleshorse.co.uk, where they can register for club news and competitions, including exciting opportunities to visit their horse at home and on the track.
Any prize money that Tweet Lady wins is donated to charity, with her owners last season agreeing to divide the £4,000 winnings between three respected racing charities – HEROS, Racing Welfare and The British Horseracing Education and Standards Trust (BHEST).
Rod Street, Chief Executive of Racing for Change, an initiative created to broaden the appeal of the sport, said:
“Tweet Lady has built up a really strong following, and we’re hoping that this will continue to grow as she prepares to return to the track in March. Her success last season raised valuable funds for charity, so we’ll all be hoping that she can win again during the 2012 flat racing season. Even if she doesn’t win, she’ll still offer her owners a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the unique world of horseracing and a chance to get involved in following their very own racehorse.”
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