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Pittoni puts himself in the frame.

By maintaining his unbeaten record over timber in this afternoon's Grade 3 visitpunchestown.com Novices Hurdle, the Charles Byrnes trained Pittoni indicated he could now be a major contender for honourse in the major novice hurdle races at this Spring's national hunt racing festivals.

Unlike his first win , where he came from well off the pace, today Paul Carberry kept him close to the action, and although Ruby Walsh seemed to have plenty in hand on Dr Deejay, Pittoni picked him up between the last two flights, and then showed he possessed more strength and stamina as he went on to score by a a length and three quarters.

After the race, Charles Byrnes commented,

"He did it okay. He is now in the Grade 1 Spring Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown on 07 February, and we will know his level after that run."

Irish entries dominate Cheltenham Champion Hurdle.

While at today's latest decleration stage, twenty one of the remaining thirty four entries for the Cheltenham Champion Hurdle originate in Ireland, all the attention will be concentrated on Noel Meade's 2009 Supreme Novice Hurdle winner Go Native. For having already won the Fighting Fifth and Christmas Hurdles, the Irish raider is in line to collect a £1 million bonus from World Betting Exchange if he can add the Champion Hurdle to this season's tally.

However, the home grown entry for the two mile Grade 1 contest may be smaller, but Nicky Henderson's three entries may be the one's to stop Irish celebrations at Prestbury Park in March.

Unbeaten Zaynar is likely to be joined at the start of this year's race by 2009 victor Punjabi, and 2009 third placed Binocular - in the case of the latter, he may have lost out to Go Native on two occasions this season, but shrewd owner and gambler J P Mcmanus seems confident Binocular will be much better if he gets better underfoot conditions at Cheltenham, and connections are said to be confident Binocular will return to form in his next outing in Sandown's Contenders Hurdle on 06 February.

Eighteen confirmed for Thyestes Handicap on Thursday.

The eighteen runners confirmed for tomorrow's Thyestes Handicap Chase at Gowran Park are headed buy Thomas O'Leary's Priests Leap, who will attempt to become the first horse to win this ultra competitive Handicap on three consecutive occasions. With regular jockey Andrew Mcnamara being sidelined following a nasty incident at Naas yesterday, Priests Leap will be partnered in Thursday's race by the in form John Cullen.

Footie Facts, who defeated former top class campaigner Hardy Eustace when competing in a hurdle race at Punchestown on his last outing, is a definite runner. While trainer Tony Martin seems very positive about Lochan Lacha, the latter having been very popular in the anti post betting market for the race.

Leading Irish national hunt trainer Willie Mullins has five entries, including; Troytown Chase winner and current race favourite Beroni, but his other four entrants - Equus Maximus, Arbor Supreme, Ballytrim and Pomme Tiepy, would all have chances if repeating their best form in tomorrow's race.

Newbury lost to snow.

After overnight rain turned to heavy snow, Newbury Clerk of the Course Richard Osgood called an impromptu inspection of the course at 9.00 am this morning, and after deciding the track was dangerous and unraceable, today's scheduled meeting was immediately abandoned.

Ludlow to hold midday inspection.

Despite two inches of snow falling on Ludlow's Shropshire course during the morning, Clerk of the Course Bob Davies has decided with the weather forecast suggesting milder conditions will follow a slight overnight frost, he will delay his inspection of the course until 7.30 am on Thursday's race day.

If conditions are showing improvement at the early morning inspection, it is quite possible a final decision may be put off until an additional inspection later on Thursday morning.

Double problem necessitates Chepstow inspection.

With large amounts of snow having melted on Chepstow racecourse over the past few days, sections of the track were already exhibiting waterlogged conditions. But with fresh snow having fallen on the South Wales venue during the day, Chepstow Clerk of the Course Keith Ottesen has now called an inspection of the course at 8.00 am on Thursday morning ahead of Friday's scheduled fixture.

Swamp fever worry for British racing.

Defra have issued an announcement of an outbreak of Equine Infectious Anaemia (swamp fever) in England, and the British Horseracing Authority have responded as follows:

, Tim Morris, Director of Equine Science and Welfare for the Authority, said:

“Defra have involved the BHA in their planning and assessment. The horses are not competition or racehorses, or breeding animals. Disease containment controls are on premises not areas, and at a present Defra do not think racing will be affected, or that the risk of spread is high – it is spread by biting flies and such spread is unlikely at this time of year and with the current weather.” Morris added,

“Nevertheless, racing should not be complacent. The Authority does consider that, as horses with the disease are persistently infected, that the humane destruction of the horses that have been affected is necessary. It has advised all its Veterinary Officers and relevant racing stakeholders to be aware of the signs of this disease. This emphasises the need for continued vigilance for all horse diseases in the UK.”

Punchestown given green light.

This morning's inspection at Punchestown discovered there had been no further deterioration of the racing surface, and despite some further rainfall on the track, today's meeting will go ahead as scheduled.

New jocky being sought for Harry.

So far in his racing career, Diamond Harry has been ridden exclusively by Timmy Murphy, but with Murphy being obliged to ride for owner David Johnson at Ascot on Saturday, and with Diamond Harry a definite runner in the Altcar Novices Chase at Haydock Park, trainer Nick Williams is now looking for a top class replacement jockey to accompany Diamond Harry on his debut over fences in Saturday's race.

Discussing the situation, Williams said,

"My telephone has never stopped ringing with jockey's agents trying to obtain the ride for their clients, so we will haveno shortage of possible jockeys, but as it is an important step for Diamond Harry, I want to be sure I get him ther ight partner for Saturday's race."

Mon Mome could take in Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Having missed the Welsh Grand National as his trainer Venetia Williams thought the ground was partially frozen and therefore unsuitable, 2009 Grand National winner Mon Mome will have his next outing in this Saturday's Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock Park.

However, Venetia Williams remains concerned her charge has not had enough racing this season, to prepare him for the defence of his Grand National title on 10 April at Aintree, and the Hereford based handler is reported to be seriously considering giving her charge a run in this year's Cheltenham Gold Cup prior to his return to Aintree.

Another owner to cut his string.

Well known football agent and racehorse owner Willie Mckay is reported to be drastically cutting back on the number of horses he will keep in training during the Coming year, due to what he claims is a lack of prize money in racing.

Although he will not be selling his Martin Grange Stables near Bawtry, he will be disposing of twenty two of his horses through next week's Doncaster Bloodstock Sales, which will leave him with a strin of just six horses for the coming year.

When asked to comment, Mckay said,

"I am just concentrating on football for the moment, and will now take the time to regroup my racing interests."

Mixed fortunes in Naas novice event.

There were definite mixed fortunes following Tuesday's Irish Racing Writers Novice Hurdle at Naas. Jockey Andrew Mcnamara ended up in Naas hospital overnight after a fall from race favourite Luska Lad at the third last was followed by a kick to his neck while he lay on the ground. While the incident sounds horrendous, it is thought Mcnamara was only kept in for observation of any delayed adverse reaction to his fall and neck blow.

Conversely, trainer Colin McBratney was delighted after the race, for he had just watched his Galway Plate winner Ballyholland score in ahurdle race after a six month break from racing. Commenting on the success, McBratney said,

"Ruby Walsh reported Ballyholland was so full of himself, the hurdles just got in his way, but I know he will be even better once he gets back over fences on good ground, and based on today's effort, I believe he is a genuine prospect for this year's Aintree Grand National, and I have to admit, I am excited about that prospect."

Replacement fixture to be held at Fairyhouse.

Horse Racing Ireland, (HRI), have today announced due to the recent number of cancellations in the national hunt racing calendar, a replacement fixture has been approved, and will take place at Fairyhouse on Tuesday 09 February, with final entries to be submitted by Thursday 04 February 2010.