Totesport suspend betting on Scoop Six Total.Earlier in the week, Totesport had opened a book on the expected total of the combined dividends in this Saturday's multiple roll over Scoop Six Bet, but after a frantic day of betting they have had to suspend their book. At nine o'clock this morning the odds on the total breaking the four million pound mark stood at fifty to one, then punters started lashing into the bet, so at 3.20 p m , with the odds standing at a remarkable low of eight to one, Totesport suspended the bet, as they did not like the liabilities they were beginning to face if Saturday's Scoop Six Dividends do reach the four million pound mark. Robert Winston receives long ban for repeated misuse of the whip.Prior to today's BHA Disciplinary Panel Meeting, jockey Robert Winston had already been suspended for misuse of the whip for a total of twenty four days in the year leading up to 09 November 2008. Then following his riding of Minwir on the ninth of this month, he once again fell foul of the whip rules, and the Kempton stewards had no option but to refer him to today's BHA Disciplinary Panel. Following today's hearing, where Winston admitted to improper riding, the Disciplinary Panel have suspended him for 15 days under the totting up procedure, (three days of which will be suspended until March 2009). This means Winston will be suspended from riding on Sunday 30 November, and then from Wednesday 03 December until Saturday 13 December 2008. Major sponsorship cut-backs!The shadow of the growing world recession has once again appeared over racing sponsorship. AIG, who are being bailed out by the United States government, have confirmed they are ceasing sponsorship of the Leopardstown Champion Hurdle after the 2009 running of the race. Meanwhile, Betfair have also decided to cancel their sponsorship of the Brigadier Gerard Meeting at Sandown Park with immediate effect. The latter cancellation is a double blow to Sandown Park , as earlier in the week they also lost Sunderland Bookmaker's sponsorship of the Imperial Cup. Sponsorship innovation by Fairyhouse.In an innovative move, Fairyhouse are putting the sponsorship of their Grade Three Juvenile Hurdle, due to be run on Sunday 30 November, up for tender on Ebay. This is certainly a novel move, and if it turns out to be successful, it could prove to be one way around the present drop off in sponsorship due to the general malaise in the world economy. One footnote -Fairyhouse have stipulated bookmakers cannot apply for this sponsorship opportunity. Airforce One Flying!Charlie Mann believes Airforce One is in the form of his life. Confirming his charge has been impressing in training, the handler is now very bullish about Airforce One's chances in the forthcoming Hennessy Gold Cup. Based on recent market moves for his young chaser, it would seem plenty of punters have heard the training whispers, and are supporting his chances in the Newbury race. New decleration deadline causes resentment.The general concensus amongst trainers is a definite thumbs down to the BHA's latest decleration deadline for major races on a Saturday. Grade One races are accepted as requiring a 48 hour decleration stage, but trainers disagree with the necessitity to have such a short deadline declaration stage on other important Saturday races. The Grade Two Paddy Power Gold Cup became the first race to use the new system, and this Saturday's Betfair Brush Hurdle becomes the second - but as resentment grows amongst trainers to what they see as an unwelcome introduction of bureaucracy, this story could have plenty of legs in the future. Is Kauto frightening off rivals?There is no doubt Kauto Star is an outstanding horse, but he appears to be frightening off rivals in Saturday's Betfair Chase at Haydock. If our information is correct, a maximum of six horses will line up for what should be one of the chasing highlights of the autumn national hunt campaign. Indeed, on pure ratings, only Exotic Dancer has any chance of beating Kauto Star, and as he has failed to do so on seven previous occasions, it would seem unlikely he will turn the tables on Saturday. However, the Betfair offers a large amount of prize money, and it is a 'chase', and unlikely as it might seem, trainers should remember, even the best chasers have the occasional fall. Franchoek set for seasonal debut.Although he will have to face Champion Hurdle contender Crack Away Jack in Saturday's Coral Hurdle at Ascot, connections have decided Franchoek will make his seasonal debut in the two mile three and a half furlong contest. Frank Berry, the racing manager for J P Macmanus, said yesterday, "Alan King is very happy with him, and we were initially thinking of going to Cheltenham last week for the Greatwood, but he would have had a lot of weight there. He's in good form, so let's hope he runs well on Saturday". Sizing to meet Brave Inca.Henry de Bromhead has confirmed Sizing Europe will have his next run in the Bar-One Racing Hattons Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse at the end of the month. The trainer further confirmed his top class hurdler needed last Sunday's race in the Maplewood at Punchestown, and he is sure Sizing Europe will strip fitter for his proposed run in the Hattons Grace. It seems probable Sizing Europe will have to face former Champion Hurdler Brave Inca in the Fairyhouse contest. Although Brave Inca is returning from a disappointing 2007 2008 season, when he was dogged by injury, trainer Colm Murphy is upbeat about his current form, saying, "I could not be happier with Brave Inca's form, and the Hattons Grace is the best starting point for this season's campaign". White Oak setback.White Oak, who won the Mares Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March, has suffered a minor setback in training, and she is now unlikely to return to the track until around Christmas or early in the New Year. Good ground key to Won in the Dark.Sabrina Harty, the trainer of Won in the Dark, has confirmed his recent poor performance at Punchestown was totally due to the heavy ground conditions of his race. The trainer has now stipulated ground conditions must be good or better before she will run her Grade One winning hurdler again. Lively chances of a run!Having been left in the field at the latest declaration stage, it would now appear there is a good chance recent Cheltenham winner Joe Lively will take part in the Hennessy Gold Cup on Saturday week. Natagora may have four year old career.Originally entered in the December Tattersalls Sales, connections of Natagora have now withdrawn her from auction, and based on comments from trainer Pascal Bary, it seems likely she will go to Hong Kong for a race in December before being prepared for a four year old career in european pattern races. Hexham four timer for Johnson.Stay at home trainer Howard Johnson proved his horses are in fine form when he completed a 1,079 to 1 four timer at yesterday's Hexham meeting. Pemberton seems to be a useful recruit to the Johnson ranks, and he started the ball rolling with a win in the Juvenile Hurdle, and this was followed in short order by victories for Letterpress, Companero, and Calin Royal.
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