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Murtagh singing Abbey praises.

No one can ever accuse Johnnie Murtagh of being short of a good word in favour of one of his mounts, but he had a noticeable twinkle in his eye when today he said about St Nicholas Abbey,

"I think he has progressed since the Beresford Stakes, and although I know there are some very good horses in tomorrow's Racing Post Trophy, I honestly think he will have the measure of everything else in the race." Murtagh also added a general observation,

"There is such a good field in tomorrow's race, whichever way it plays out, everyone should have a clearer picture of what they have got in terms of Classic horses after the race."

Mark Johnston hits new training record.

Having already gone beyond Richard Hannon's previous seasonal training record of 189 winners when Comedy Hall gave him 190 winners at Warwick on 05 October, Mark Johnston today became the first British trainer to secure 200 winners in a season when Corsica scored for him at this afternoon's meeting at Ayr.

The current record does not include Johnston's overseas victories, which have been numerous and profitable, and led by the rejuvenated Jukebox Jury.

Editor's Comment: Well done Mark - How about 225 before the end of the season?

Clowance by-passes Newbury for Longchamp.

Roger Charlton's Irish Field St Leger runner up Clowance is to by-pass tomorrow's Group 3 St Simon Stakes at Newbury, and instead, will attempt to go one better in Sunday's Prix Royal Oak at Longchamp.

With the going at Longchamp due to be soft, it should be ideal for the four year old filly, and with Kieran Fallon taking the ride, Charlton is reported to be very hopeful Clowance can score her first Group 1 success in France.

While Clowance will be absent from the St Simon Stakes, the Sheikh Handan al Maktoum owned Tastahil is likely to take his chance on the predicted soft ground at Newbury. Not seen on a racecourse for five months since finishing third behind Geordieland in the Henry II Stakes, Tastahil has to have cut to be at his best, but connections are very hopeful he has maintained his form over his extended break, and they believe he will have a major chance if obtaining some luck in tomorrow's contest.

In the same race, Harbinger will try to put his Great Voltigeur disaster behind him, while Godolphin will be hoping the progressive Choc a block will step up on his last success.

Oliver gets Manning boost for Elusive Award.

Andrew Oliver makes no secret of the fact his unbeaten Elusive Award has been prepared all season for tomorrow's Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster.

"He was one of the first horses to be declared for the race, and his two wins at Leopardstown and Dundalk have been part of a schedule to prepare him to the moment for tomorrow's race. I am also naturally delighted Jim Bolger does not have a runner, as it enables me to have Kevin Manning's services at Doncaster. Kevin rode Elusive Award at Dundalk, and he gets on very well with the horse, so that is a major boost for our chances tomorrow."

Majority stake in Radio Head sold to American owners.

Although maintaining a 10% stake, current owners Carmen Burrell and Jonathan Harvey have sold Norfolk Stakes winner Radio Head to a New York based syndicate for an undisclosed fee. Last seen finishing a very creditable second in the Middle Park Stakes, it is understood Radio Head will leave Brian Meehan's care for a new American based training establishment after he runs in the Breeders Cup Juvenile on 07 November.

Turnell considering Bible Lord for Paddy Power.

Andy Turnell has his horses in very good order at present, and Bible Lord has been pleasing him very much in early season work. So much so, the handler has today indicated he is considering giving his gelding a run in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham on 14 November.

Russell injury not as bad as first thought.

A scan on a suspected broken thumb has actually given jockey Davy Russell some good news. It seems in his fall in yesterday's Beginners Chase at Thurles he actually only incurred bad bruising, and the plucky jockey is now expected to ride at Wexford tomorrow.

Scoop Six starts up again.

With the anonymous Betfair customer having picked up nearly a million pounds over the past two weeks, the Scoop Six bet for tomorrow starts with a roll over Win Fund of £70,030, while the Bonus Fund starts at £30,012.

For those wishing to get ahead on assessing tomorrow's form, the races you need to study are as follows:

Leg 1 - 2.05 pm Newbury.

Leg 2 - 2.20 pm Doncaster.

Leg 3 - 2.35 pm Newbury.

Leg 4 - 2.55 pm Doncaster.

Leg 5 - 3.10 pm Newbury.

Leg 6 - 3.45 pm Newbury.

Channel 4’s Morning Line – 24 October 8am.

The special guest on tomorrow morning’s programme is Bruce Bladon, an acclaimed Berkshire equine surgeon)

The team will be holding their usual pre race discussion of tomorrow afternoon’s racing coverage from Newbury and Doncaster 2 – 4pm. The races under scrutiny will be; Newbury: 2.05 2.35 3.10 3.45, and Doncaster: 2.20 2.55 3.30.

The pundits lining up to give advise on this important Saturday programme are: Lesley Graham, John Francome, Mike Cattermole, Emma Spencer, Alastair Down, Tanya Stevenson, Richard Holies, Derek Thompson and Jim McGrath.

Dunguib to make hurdling debut at Galway.

Despite losing his Punchestown Champion Bumper crown due to the presence of a banned substance in his post race bloodwork, the way the Philip Fenton trained Dunguib demolished his rivals in both the Cheltenham and Punchestown Champion Bumpers suggests he could be something special, particularly as the placed horses in both of the above races have already started this season with wins in novice hurdle contests.

Consequently, most interested national hunt fans will be watching for the result from this weekend's Galway meeting where Dunguib is due to have his initial outing in the CCTV Venue Control Maiden Hurdle.

Cappa Bleu will need his first run!

Evan Williams has made no secret of the fact he expects Cheltenham Foxhunters winner Cappa Bleu will need his first outing on Sunday at Aintree. Speaking today, Williams said,

"We have given him some work prior to Aintree, but he will definitely strip fitter for Sunday's run. Anyway, I am aiming him at some bigger prizes in the latter part of the season, and I do not want him too forward at this early stage of a potential five month campaign."

Foot problem creates doubts over Changingoftheguard run.

Former Aidan O'Brien inmate Changingoftheguard seemed a probable runner in this year's Melbourne Cup for new connections, but trainer David Hayes has now reported the three year old has a foot abscess, and while Hayes is putting a positive light on proceedings and suggesting Changingoftheguard will probably recover in plenty of time for his proposed run in the Melbourne Cup, it is worth noting a foot abscess involving complications will ensure top Hungarian sprinter Overdose remains off the track from May of this year until the 2010 flat season.

Tidal Bay to test himself in Old Roan Chase.

Tidal Bay will have a tough test to prove his wind operation over the summer provides him with the ability to recapture his Arkle Trophy winning form of 2008. Howard Johnson's charge ran well without winning last season, and connections believe difficulty in breathing prevented him from operating in top gear, but in this weekend's Totetentofollow Old Roan Chase he will have to back to his best if he is to defeat some smart chasing types.

The Nicky Richards trained Monet's Garden may be eleven, but he defeated Kauto Star in the 2007 running of the race. While Nigel Twiston Davies believes Nowhere is in the same kind of pre-season form which saw him start last season with victory in the 2008 Old Roan Chase.

Tom George has decided to run course winner Tartak rather than the very progressive Nacarat, and Tom Taaffe is sending over the interesting Finger onthe Pulse.

The other three runners in the Grade 2 contest being; Don't Push It, Kicks For Free, and Three Mirrors.

Inler most likely for Horris Hill.

Although trainer John Best still has to confirm his Saturday running plans for Inler with owner Harry Findley, based on ground considerations, the handler is leaning towards running the Newmarket maiden winner in the Horris Hill Stakes at Newbury rather than his other entry in the racingpostpoker.com Stakes at Doncaster.

Hannon very happy with George Washington filly.

Richard Hannon has today reported the Julie Wood owned sole offspring of George Washington is settling in very well at Hannon's East Eversley yard in Wiltshire. The daughter of the enigmatic sire and mare Flawlessly has yet to be named, and Hannon reports the owner will take her time over finding a suitable title for such a rare commodity.

For what it is worth, at Racingsight we have put our heads together, and based on the names of the yearlings sire and dam, might we suggest Washington Perfection.

Meehan believes David could cause Trophy suprise.

Bearing in mind Brian Meehan trained Crowded House to win last year's Racing Post Trophy, so when he says his Dancing David is quite capable of winning tomorrow's renewal of the Doncaster Group 1, then perhaps we should pay attention to his comments.

Certainly, Dancing David has a progressive profile, for after a useful maiden, he totally outpaced his rivals on his last outing at Newbury, and according to Meehan,

"He is very smart on the home gallops, and although they are not similar in other ways, he seems to have the same progressive stamp as Crowded House, and I am very confident he will perform well in Saturday's Racing Post Trophy."

Character Building to go straight to Hennessy.

According to trainer John Quinn, last season's Kim Muir Steeplechase winner Character Building will go straight to Newbury's Hennessy Gold Cup for his seasonal debut. The gelding is no stranger to the race having finished third in the 2007 running of the Grade 3 chase.

Discussing his decision, Quinn commented,

"Character Building has been doing well in his pre season training, and if anything he looks bigger and stronger this year. He tends to show his best form on the track when he is fresh, so I think going straight to Newbury for the Hennessy should be a good move." Quinn added,

"It was disappointing he had an eleventh hour setback which prevented him from running in the Grand National, but if everything goes according to plan during the season, there is a distinct possibility he could go to Aintree next April."

Hannon excuses Dick Turpin's last two runs.

With four straight wins under his belt Dick Turpin looked like a possible Classic colt, but then two indifferent performances in the Prix Jean luc Lagardere and Dewhurst Stakes took the shine off his season. But trainer Richard Hannon has now admitted he probably over-raced his juvenile, and as a result Dick Turpin had 'gone over the top' on his last two outings.

Speaking today, Hannon commented,

"I think Dick Turpin had too many races, but I am very hopeful a winter's rest will see him come back in the spring as a real Classic contender."

BHA give Wetherby clean bill of health.

Following the problems at Wetherby on 14 October 2009, the British Horseracing Authority Racecourse Department has reviewed reports submitted by the Authority’s Course Inspectorate, its Veterinary Officer in attendance, the raceday Stewards and the Racecourse Managing Executive.

The Authority also commissioned a leading firm of sports turf agronomists, Professional Sportsturf Design, who visited the track on Thursday and were pleased with its condition and the ongoing maintenance being carried out.

The Northern Inspector of Courses, Chris Dennis, revisited the course on Friday morning to ensure the course remains safe, that appropriate aeration work has been, and will be, carried out and that watering continues so as to provide going that is suitable for Jump racing.

The Authority has also had discussions with the RSPCA, NTF and PJA. The participant feedback that the BHA has received has been almost exclusively positive in relation to the condition of the course at the last fixture.

Having considered all of the above, the Authority has concluded that there is no reason why racing at Wetherby should not go ahead as programmed.

Richard Linley, Senior BHA Inspector of Courses, said:

“The trainer and jockey feedback in the run up to, and on the day of Wetherby’s last fixture, was really positive. There have been no calls whatsoever from their representative bodies to suspend racing. The track continues to look in good condition and we’ll continue to liaise closely with the racecourse ahead of next Friday”.

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