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Genes Reunited

War of Attrition suddenly becomes World Hurdle prospect.

It would appear trainer Mouse Morris has come up with a winning idea by converting 2006 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner War of Attrition back to hurdling, for in this afternoon's Grade 2 Alo Duffin Memorial Hurdle at Gowran Park, the old campaigner completed his furst win since the Thurles Chase in 2008.

Enjoying a front running role for partner Slippers Madden, War of Attrition showed plenty of enthusiasm throughout today's three mile contest, and he had plenty in reserve at the sharp end of ther ace, going on to score by four lengths from recent Leopardstown winner Power Station.

An ecstatic Mouse Morris could not stop smiling after the race, and his suprise move to give War of Attrition an entry in this year's Ladbrokes sponsered World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival is now looking like an inspired move.

Well supported Whinstone Boy lands Thyestes Chase.

Supported on course into 5/1, Whinstone Boy stayed on the pace throughout today's three mile Tendrleen sponsered Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park, and turning in for the final time, it seemed the result was between Whinstone Boy and Siegemaster, but the latter put in some sketchy jumps in the closing stages and dropped out of contention.

Jockey Sean Flanagan kept Whinstone Boy up to his work, and Jimmy Mangan's charge stayed on well to deny the late finishing Hangover by a length and three quarters.

Secant Star gets it right at Gowran.

An unlucky faller at the last flight when a wide margin leader of his first hurdle in Ireland during Leopardstown's Christmas Festival, the Willie Mullins french import Secant Star made no mistake today, giving Ruby Walsh an armchair seven length win in the Novice Hurdle at this afternoon's Gowran Park meeting.

If Secant Star can improve again on today's effort, he looks the sort who could be a good each way wager for this year's JCB Triumph Hurdle at March's Cheltenham Festival.

Big Bucks heads thirty five strong entry.

After today's latest decleration stage, thirty five horses still have an entry for this year's Ladbrokes sponsered World Hurdle at Cheltenham on 18 March.

Last year's impressive winner Big Bucks has looked virtually unbeatable in his outings this season, but Karabak and Diamond Harry, who finished behind Big Bucks in the Long Walk Hurdle at Newbury on 29 December, have entries, and will hope to reverse recent form on better ground in March.

2009 World Hurdle runner up Punchestowns was thought to be undertaking his novice season as a chaser, but Nicky Henderson's charge has only had one outing over fences so far this season, and he now has an intriguing entry for this season's World Hurdle.

Similarly, Charlie Mann's Mighty Man had been expected to run over fences at this year's Aintree Festival after finishing as runner up to Big Bucks in last season's three mile Grade 1 hurdle at the Liverpool track, but his remaining entry in this year's World Hurdle suggests he may take the hurdling option at the Cheltenham Festival.

The race still contains twelve entries from Ireland, and while Edward O'Grady's Torphichen, and Grade 1 winning Jumbo Rio looked the most interesting prior to today's racing, War of Attrition's win in the Galmoy Hurdle now makes the 2006 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner a definite prospect, particularly if the going came up soft for the Cheltenham Festival.

Eleven will attempt to stop Cloudy Lane double.

As he goes in search of consecutive victories in the three mile contest, last season's Peter Marsh Chase winner Cloudy Lane will face eleven rivals, including joint top weight and Aintree Grand National winner Mon Mome, and David Pipe's old campaigner Our Vic.

However, as Cloudy Lane and Mon Mome have to caryy 11 stone 10 pounds in the race, half of the remaining horses in the race are out of the handicap, including the Nigel Hawke's trained Fortification, who is stepping up to 'Graded Company' after four consecutive successes in handicaps.

Amongst the remainder of the field - Jaunty Flight has only lost one of her steeplechase outings, Mr Strachan landed a valuable race at Hexham on his last outing, and According to Pete finished fifth in this season's Paddy Power Gold Cup - and all three would have definite chances on Saturday if running up to their best form.

Twist Magic to face seven in Victor Chandler.

After today's 48 hour declerations, it seems Twist Magic will face seven rivals as he goes in search of a second successive Grade 1 victory in Saturday's Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot.

Although a shor priced anti post favourite for this weekend's race, it is worth noting, when last winning the Tingle Creek Chase in 2008, Twist Magic was beaten into second place by Tamarinbleu in the 2008 Victor Chandler Chase.

Main opposition on Saturday would appear to come from Nicky Henderson's Kempton Desert Orchid Chase winner Petit Robin, while David Pipe's Well Chief, who finished second in the Desert Orchid, and Fix therib, who fell in the same race, both re-oppose on Saturday.

Recent Exeter winner Cornas will hope to use his West country success as a spring board for a step up to better things for trainer Nick Williams. Similarly, 2009 Grand Annual Chase winner Oh Crick will have to step up if he is to figure amongst the principals on Saturday.

While County Durham trainer Howard Johnson has obviously decided the race is too competitive for Santa's Son , who has been withdrawn, interestingly, he has kept Lennon in the field despite his two year absence from racing. The field is then completed by Kinkeel, who on all known form will need a miracle to land Saturday's first prize.

Johnson hopeful Market rasen will suit Washington.

A couple of years ago when with Aidan O'Brien, Washington Irving was fifth in the Derby and sixth in the St Leger, and after a couple of runs for Howard Johnson and owner Graham Wiley on the flat, Washington Irving bolted up in his first run over hurdles at Carlisle earlier in the season, and connections are hopeful he can do the same on Sunday at Market Rasen. Speaking today, Howard Johnson said,

"He is a very nice and classy horse, and if he can show his form on Sunday at Market Rasen we will probably aim him at one of the major races at either Cheltenham or Aintree."

Mullins to go straight to Grade 1 with Aranleigh.

After his injury break and subsequent two come-back successes over hurdles earlier in the season, trainer Tony Mullins had originally intended to run the J P Mcmanus owned Aranleigh in this weekend's MCR Chase at Leopardstown.

However, after consultations with the owner, Mullins has confirmed the gelding will now go straight to the Grade 1 Dr P J Moriarty Chase in a fortnights time. Discusssing the move, Mullins commented,

"We want to se if he is good enough for the RSA Chase at Cheltenham, and to be frank, the only way we will find out his abilities in that regard is to give him a run in a Grade 1, and the Moriarty Chase is the obvious choice."

Hughes confirms duo for Grand National attempt.

Dessie Hughes has confirmed stable mates Black Apalachi and Vic Venturi, who have both proved they can win over Aintree's Grand National fences, will start their preparation for this year's big race with a run in this weekend's Pertemps Handicap Hurdle Qualifier over three miles at Leopardstown.

Hughes expects Black Apalachi to need the run, for he has not been seen on a racecourse since unseating when leading at Bechers Brook on the second circuit of last year's Grand National.

By comparison, Vic Venturi goes into this weekend's race after a November win over the Grand National fences in the Becher Chase, and a fifth position in a competitive three mile hurdle at Leopardstown over Christmas.

Punchestowns out as Geraghty picks up Diamond ride.

With Barry Geraghty having been confirmed as Timmy Murphy's replacement aboard Diamond Harry as he makes his debut over fences for trainer Nick Williams in Saturday's Altcar Novice Chase at Haydock Park, it is obvious Punchestowns, who was also entered in the race for the Nicky Henderson stable, has been withdrawn from the same race due to concerns over the ground.

Ludlow and Chepstow forced to abandon.

Following a 7.30 am inspection this morning, Ludlow Clerk of the course Bob Davies was forced to abandon today's meeting, as with an inch of snow still lying all over the track, conditions made racing imposible.

At Chepstow, Clerk of the Course Keith Ottesen held an 8.00 am inspection, but found melted snow and rain on Wednesday had combined to make large sections of the course waterlogged, and with more rain forecast, Ottesen has confirmed Friday's scheduled meeting has now been cancelled.

BHA act over lost race meetings.

The major consequence of the recent winter weather has not been lost on the British Horseracing Authority, for including the two abandonments listed above, 37 racing fixtures have now been cancelled since the start of 2010, and the Authority has therefore decided the time has come to step into the shortage of turf national hunt racing by announcing five new fixtures.

Initially, Newcastle will stage an additional fixture on Monday 25 January, and the BHA are currently considering applications from other racecourses for proposed fixtures on: Friday 29 January, Sunday 31 January, Friday 05 February, and Friday 12 February.

As soon as we have details on the other chosen racecourses, the news will be carried on our daily news page.

Fortune upbeat about Gosden split.

Although in a non-formal capacity, Jimmy Fortune has had a close relationship with the Newmarket stable of John Gosden since 2005. Indeed, in 2007 Fortune secured a Clasic victory for the yard aboard lucarno.

But after riding Ravens Pass to victory in the 2008 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, he was 'jocked-off' as Frankie Dettori took the winning ride abord Ravens Pass in the 2008 Breeders Cup.

In 2009, the same situation occurred with Dettori riding Pounced to victory in the Breeders Cup Juvenile, and it is thought this caused some friction between Fortune and Gosden, and this may explain why the trainer recently telephoned the jockey and informed him he will not be required to ride Gosden horses in 2010.

However, Jimmy Fortune is taking an upbeat assessment of his situation, saying,

"Kieran Fallon and Michael Kinane had their associations with top stables ended in the past, but it did not stop them from going on to great things, and at 37 I feel great and believe I am riding as well as ever." Fortune added,

"I have already had a couple of interesting offers, and I am confident of picking up a strong book of rides for 2010."

Later in the day, it was announced by the Gosden yard, 21 year old William Buick has been appointed as full time stable jockey for Gosden's Newmarket yard, and he will take up his new duties with immediate effect.

Sky Bet Chase lline up pretty formidable.

The current list of entries for Doncaster's Sky Bet Chase on 30 January reads like a who's who of top class handicappers, and picking this year's winner may prove very difficult.

Top of the weights with 11 stone 12 pounds is the Paul Nichols former Grade 2 winner Taranis, and Henrietta Knight's December course and distance winner Calgary bay.

Howard Johnson's 2009 Grade 2 novice chase winner Killyglen has to caryy 11 stone 10 pounds. While Venetia Williams's Freddie Williams Festival Plate victor Something Wells has to shoulder 11 stone 9 pounds.

All on 11 stone 7 pounds are; David Pipe's very progressive novice Seven is my Number, Nicky Henderson's recent Lanzarote Hurdle runner up Duc de Regniere, and the Paul Nicholls trained Tatenen.

Other interesting runners include; Ferdy Murphy's William Hill Trophy runner up New Alco, Victor Dartnall's progressive Exmoor Ranger, and Jonjo O'Neills equally progressive Theatrical Moment - all of whom are on 11 stone 1 pound.

John Quinn's Character Building has not run so far this season, but it is believed he will use the Sky Bet Chase as a preparation race for his main target this season - the Aintree Grand National.

Similarly, Warren Greatrex is likely to use the race as a preparation run for Hennessy, as the latter is prepared to retain his Sandown Gold Cup title, which he won for the first time last April.