Untitled Document

For the best computer games at unbelievable prices:

Gitano far too good in Trial.

With the Dubai World Cup im mind, Marco Botti told reporters he had left plenty to work on with Gitano Hernando prior to today's Listed Winter Derby Trial at Lingfield, and for a stride or two in the back straight Kieran Fallon had to give the Santa anita Grade One winner a nudge or two, but when he entered the home straight his class began to tell, and he ran out a comprehensive winner from the good yardstick Suits Me.

If the trainer is correct, and there is still plenty to work on, Gitano Hernando certainly seems to have the potential to pick up some prize money in the Dubai World Cup on 27 March.

Soldatino stakes Triumph claims.

When race favourite Ultimate blundered badly at the second last of today's Adonis Hurdle at Kempton Park the Nicky Henderson and Paul Nicholls newcomers Soldatino and Toubab went on, but it was the Henderson trained Soldatino who ran on to land the spoils, and the bookmakers were impressed enough to immediately cut his price for the JCB Triumph Hurdle.

Razor shaves victory over Nacarat.

Alwayss in the vanguard of the Grade 3 Racing Post Chase, Nacarat did his very best to win his second succesive victory in the three mile Kempton steeplechase, but despite every effort from partner Tony McCoy, he just found Razor Royale to good for him on the day.

Both of the leading two put in mistakes as they tired in the closing stages of a stamina sapping run, and when Razor Royale made a huge mistake when leading at the last, it looked as if McCoy would get Nacarat up in the closing strides, but the Twiston Davies trained Razor Royale just found enough to hold on at the line.

Le Burf ran through tired horses to take a distant third position, but today's race was all about the battle between the first and second as they threw up a memorable climax to an eventful race.

Cool River dominates in Johnstown.

Jessica Harrington's Cool River put in a strong front running performance to land today's Grade 2 Johnstown Novice Hurdle at Navan. Even when challenged at the second last by Lucky William, the leader found more, and eventually ran out a three and a half length winner.

The Nightingale suddenly emerges as a Cheltenham prospect.

Giving an exhibition of superb jumping, The Nightingale provided Paul Nicholls and Ruby Walsh with another big Saturday winner as they landed the Grade 2 Pendil Novices Chase in effortless style at Kempton Park this afternoon.

Accompanied around the turn out of the back straight by Other Mix on the final circuit, Walsh did not have to do much as his mount galloped and jumped his way to an easy victory in the home straight.

Based on today's effort, The Nightingale has emerged as a prospect for two cheltenham races, for on heavy ground he could be a challenger for the Arkle Trophy over two miles, but if the going for the Festival turns out to be 'good', he could figure in the three mile RSA Chase.

Escort' Men a revelation in Dovecote.

After watching this afternoon's Grade 2 Dovecote Novices Hurdle at Kempton Park, it would be fair to say, Ruby Walsh may never have an easier winner than Escort' Men.

The race was run at a strong pace, with Frscarti Park heading affairs until entering the straight for the final time, but even when Vino Griego took the lead at the second last, Ruby Walsh's mount still had his head in his chest, and after Vino Griego fell at the last flight, Escort' Men just had to ease to a wide margin victory from original front runner Frascati Park, with joint favourite Salden Licht back in third.

The big disappointment in the race was the other joint favourite Grey Soldier, who never seemed happy in his jumping, and was eventually pulled up at the start of the home straight by jockey Jason Maguire.

Based on today's performance, Escort' Men is unlikely to ever go off at 16/1 again in any of his future races.

Punjabi completes preparation stroll.

Given a lead by the returning Border Castle and old campaigner Spider Boy, as his 1/6 odds would suggest, Punjabi turned today's Champion Hurdle Trial at Kempton Park into a procession.

The only worry jockey Barry Geraghty had during the race was when second favourite Treaty Flyer took a tumble alongside the favourite at the fourth flight, but with no interference occurring, Geraghty was able to take it up approaching the second last, and from that point on it became a matter of how far the winning distance would be at the end of the two mile contest.

Border Castle ran a good race to eventually finish second on his return from injury, but what significance this race will have in relation to Punjabi's preparation to defend his Champion Hurdle crown will only become obvious on the first day of the Cheltenham Festival.

Scoop 6 now incorporates Kempton and Chepstow.

With Newcastle's Eider Chase Day having been lost to waterlogging, this afternoon's Scoop 6 wager takes in races at Kempton and Chepstow. The roll over in the Win Fund is £73,349 and a single winner of the Win and Bonus Funds could pick up over £200,000 over the next two weeks. The first stage involves finding the winners of the following six races:

Leg 1 - 1.30 pm Kempton Park.

Leg 2 - 2.00 pm Kempton Park.

Leg 3 - 2.25 pm Chepstow.

Leg 4 - 2.30 pm Kempton Park.

Leg 5 - 3.05 pm Kempton Park.

Leg 6 - 3.30 pm Chepstow.

Important non-runners this afternoon.

Alan King has confirmed Mill Chief will miss this afternoon's Adonis Hurdle at Kempton Park due to lameness.

The race was supposed to form the Triumph Hurdle anti post favourites final preparation for the Cheltenham novice contest, and connections are reported to be very disappointed with the setback.

X-rays taken last night couldnot identify any particular problem with the effected left fore leg, but for punters holding anti post vouchers on the well supported four-year-old, King has issued an ominous warning about makeing a decision on Mill Chief's Cheltenham participation within the next 48 hours.

Miss Mitch is also an important absentee from the Racing Post Chase, having been pulled out late yesterday also due to lameness.

Dickin very happy with Harry.

Trainer Robin Dickin reports Restless Harry has come on again since his Grade 2 success at Cheltenham in January, and while his main objective is the Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle over three miles on Gold Cup Friday, the handler has indicated, if the going for the Cheltenham Festival comes up soft to heavy, Dickin may revert his progressive novice to the shorter trip of the Neptune Investment Management Novices Hurdle on the second day of the four day Festival.

Explaining his thinking, Dickin said,

"If the ground at the Festival is 'good', I have no doubt Restless Harry will get the three miles of the Albert Bartlett, but having won a Grade 2 over an extended two and a half miles on heavy ground at Cheltenham, it would make sennse to revert him to the shorter Neptune Hurdle if the ground at this year's Festival comes up soft to heavy. Either way, he is in great shape, and we are very hopeful he can add to his January success at Prestbury Park."