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Cowell mourns training ground loss of Biniou.

While undertaking his preparation on Wednesday morning for this weekend's Flying Five Stakes at the Curragh, former Prix de L'Abbaye fourth Biniou damaged his off fore. Having taken second and third opinions on the leg injury, trainer Robert Cowell soon realised the damage was irreparable, and the reluctant decision to euthanise the sprinter was taken.

Cowell was understandably 'gutted' by the incident, particularly as he had great hopes Biniou would win this year's running of the William Hill sponsored Ayr Gold Cup.

Allied Powers to raid Ireland not France.

Drying ground at Deauville has negated the possible run of the Michael Bell trained Allied Powers in this weekend's Grand Prix de Deauville, and instead, the Listed Ardilaun Hotel Oyster Stakes at Galway would now appear to be the target for the lightly raced four year old.

Upped thirty pounds in the handicap as a three year old, Allied Powers has a proven liking for soft ground, and while the track at Deauville is unusually dry for this time of year, Galway has had any amount of rain, so Monday's contest in Ireland would now seem to be the most obvious option for Allied Powers to score his first victory of the current flat campaign.

Top class entry for Ffoslas signature race.

The £50,000 Freebet Handicap Steeplechase is the signature race on tomorrow's Official Opening Day at the new South West Wales racecourse at Ffoslas, and as befits the occasion, the race has attracted a maximum field of 18 runners, including some well known and accomplished steeplechasers.

There would be none more popular a winner than Snoopy Loopy, owned by Ffoslas Chief executive David Walters, and trained locally by Peter Beaumont, the eleven year old was a revelation in the early part of last season, winning the Grade 1 Betfair Gold Cup at Haydock Park, before going on to finish second in the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon.

Paul Nicholls will be represented by recent Newton Abbot runner up Hoo la Baloo, while five Irish raiders will be led by Michael Hourigan's Irish Grand National runner up Church Island.

The Official Opening ceremony at the track will be completed by the former Voice of Racing, Sir Peter O'Sullivan, who will be ably accompanied by Welsh songstress Ceris Matthews.

Captain Cee Bee to return this season.

The 2008 Cheltenham Festival Supreme Novices Hurdle victor Captain Cee Bee has rejoined trainer Eddie Harty after a season on the sidelines with leg problems.

Harty is reported to be delighted with having the obviously talented national hunt star back in training, and he has indicated a novice chasing campaign will be the plan for the coming season. Speaking today, Harty said,

"He looks great, but we will take his build up slowly, hopefully getting him back on to the track in a competitive race by late October."

Tipperary fixture re-scheduled.

Just a timely reminder that today's race meeting at Tipperary has been cancelled due to a waterlogged course, but Horse Racing Ireland have today confirmed a replacement twilight fixture on Wednesday 09 September has been approved, and this will create a two day meeting at Tipperary on 09 and 10 September.

Nicholls welcomes back two absent stars.

Paul Nicholls has confirmed two of his former stars, Taranis and Nycteos have returned to training, and both have been seen cantoring on the Ditcheat training gallops.

The winner of the 2007 James Nicholson Wine Merchants Chase at Down Royal, Taranis was last seen pulling up in the King George Steeplechase the same year, and missed the whole of last season with a sustained injury problem. While BNycteos, the winner of the 2008 Lanzarote Hurdle, has also been out of action for over a year with injury problems.

When asked about the plans for his two returning stars, Nicholls said,

"We cannot set a definite plan for either horse until we assess their current abilities, and to be honest, at this stage it is just nice to have them back in training."

Benbaun to miss Flying Five.

Second in last week's Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes at York, Benbaun was due to make a quick return to the track in an attempt to land his fourth victory in this Sunday's Group 3 Grenzon Flying Five Stakes at the Curragh.

However, trainer Kevin Ryan has admitted he has had to change his plans, as the predicted ground at the weekend was totally unsuitable for his rejuvenated sprinter. Discussing the situation, Ryan said,

"It would have been great for him to try and win a fourth Flying Five, but the ground is completely against him, and unfortunately, we will now have to seek an alternative race."

Prendergast expects reversal on Sunday.

Having already won a Stakes race on very soft ground, Kevin Prendergast knows his filly Wrong Answer absolutely relishes heavy conditions, and based on the current weather forecast, it is expected the ground for Sunday's Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh will be exactly to her liking.

Based on this assumption, Prendergast has stated publicly, he expects Wrong Answer to reverse the placings with Aidan O'Brien's Lillie Langtry, the latter having beaten Prendergast's filly on their last meeting, and the handler also believes his youngster will have the beating of the rest of the field providing ground conditions remain testing.

BHA and jockeys close to new Totting Up agreement.

The much criticised totting up procedure used to provide large penalties to jockeys who have received 24 days of suspensions for Careless Riding in a twelve month period could soon be replaced by a new 6 month totting up agreement between the BHA and the Professional Jockeys Association.

The new agreement, which is apparently close to being signed off by both parties, would create a totting up penalty of up to 14 days of suspension, but to be brought before the BHA Disciplinary Panel for considerationunder the proposed new agreement, a jockey would have to have accrued between 14 and 21 days of Careless Riding bans in a six month period which would commence from the date of the first ban issued under the new agreement.

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