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Mill Chief eases to victory at Huntingdon.

Connections may not have learnt a great deal more about the talented Mill Chief after he scored a six length easing down victory in Division 2 of the Novice Hurdle at Huntingdon this afternoon, but it did prove trainer Alan King is a master at picking the ideal preparation race for the Cheltenham Festival.

Jockey Wayne Huchinson never had a moment's worry on King's four-year-old french import, and his easy win against older novices certainly helps to secure his position at the head of the market for this season's JCB Triumph Hurdle.

In Division 1 of the Novice Hurdle, former smart Chester flat performer Cheshire Prince scored on his debut over hurdles, and he also looks like he could be an interesting recruit to the novice hurdling ranks.

Egerton's Westlin Winds takes a boost from Mill Chief win.

A clear victor in his first two outings over hurdles, Westlin Winds was then only beaten by two and a quarter lengths by Mill Chief when giving the latter seven pounds at Kempton on 27 December.

Westlin Winds is now due to line up in Saturday's Grade 2 Finesse Juvenile Novices Hurdle, and with Mill Chief scoring with ease at Huntingdon this afternoon, Westlin Winds trainer Charlie Egerton is now very confident his progressive four-year-old can put his marker down for the JCB Triumph Hurdle by returning to winning ways in Saturday's contest.

Mighty Man books RSA Chase attempt.

Henry Daly might have been unsure before this afternoon's Beginners Chase at Huntingdon as to whether top class long distance hurdler Mighty Man would take in the RSA Novice Chase or revert to hurdling in the World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, but after watching his nine-year-old score by eight lengths on ground regarded as unsuitable from the well thought of Sullumo, then the decision became academic, as Daly confirmed,

"Mighty Man has now proved he has a future over fences. He will now have one more run in a novice chase, and then he will go for the RSA Chase at the Cheltenham Festival."

Terry Mills loses his fight with cancer.

We are sad to report, popular Epsom based trainer Terry Mills died earlier today after a long battle with cancer.

In an official statement, Mills assistant Richard Ryan said,

"Terry Mills passed away today after a long struggle against cancer. Our sympathy goes out to his wife Beryl and his two sons Robert and Stephen.

I speak for all the staff at Loretta Lodge in feeling the huge loss of our friend and leader. The yard will be run to the highest standards, as per the wish of Mr Mills. His son Robert is expected to be granted a temporary trainers license shortly, and we will all endeavour to carry forward Mr Mills's ambitions for his yard."

Denman decision due soon.

Denman's joint owner Paul Barber has told reporters, he and Harry Findlay are due to mtalk to trainer Paul Nicholls later this afternoon, and it is thought a final decision on Denman's participation in Saturday's Argento Chase at Cheltenham will be made at that meeting.

Barber did indicate, the Argento Chase and the AON Chase at Newbury are the two races under consideration as Denman's possible preparation races for this year's Cheltenham Gold Cup, and on that basis, Denman's chances of lining up on Saturday are currently fifty fifty.

Aintree may be main objective for Deep Purple.

It now appears Charlie Hall and Peterborough Chase winner Deep Purple disappointed in the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day due to a bacteriological iEvan Williams has given his progressive nine-year-old time to recover, and while connections are now seriously considering a tilt at the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, Evan Williams is thought to favour the Melling Chase at Aintree.

The South Wales based handler has let it be known that he thinks the flatter, tighter Mildmay Course at Aintree would suit Deep Purple's nippy style, so it will be interesting to see if Deep Purple is allowed to by-pass Cheltenham for a crack at the Melling Chase at Aintree in April.

Kim to go straight to Champion Hurdle.

Having found the secret to Kyber Kim is to keep him fresh if he is to be at his best, Nigel Twiston Davies has decided his charge will swerve the Totesport Trophy on 13 February, and instead, this season's dual Cheltenham winner will go straight back to Prestbury Park for the Smurfit Capa Champion Hurdle in March.

With Al Eile also being withdrawn at today's latest decleration stage for the ultra competitive Totesport Trophy Hurdle, 45 horses remain entered, with Andy Turnell's Blue Bajan and Malcolm Jefferson's Cape Tribulation now due to shoulder joint top weight of 11 stone 12 pouns.

While recent Ascot winner Mamlook, consistant Harry Tricker and the well fancied Ronaldo des Mottes are all still involved, it is Nicky Henderson's Spirit River who is currently the strong favourite for the race.

However, it is interesting to note, Paul Nicholls still has last season's County Hurdle winner American Trilogy due to have his seasonal debut in the race, and if whispers are correct, he is looking very good in his work on the gallops at Ditcheat.

Palypso de Creek will receive Grand National entry.

Having come home a close second to old campaigner Our Vic in last Saturday's Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock Park, Palypso de Creek is now to be aimed at the Aintree Grand National.

Charlie Longsdon's french import has progressed all season, and his fourth place behind Vic Venturi in this season's Becher Chase is a good indicator he can cope with the Aintree Grand National fences

While Longsdon has no worries over Palypso de Creek's stamina, the handler readily admits any chance of featuring in this year's Grand National will depend upon the eventual weight his gelding has to carry on 10 April.

Huntingdon declared 'all clear' for today's fixture.

By 7.00 pm last evening, temperatures around Huntingdon racecourse had fallen to -3 celsius, but thankfully cloud started to gather overnight, and by 6.00 am this morning temperatures had recovered sufficiently for Huntingdon officials to declare today's scheduled meeting would go ahead as planned.

This is good news for anti post punters, for JCB Triumph Hurdle favourite Mill Chief will now show his abilities against older opposition for the first time, while Mighty Man will have his second outing over fences - and the result of both races could have important ramifications in relation to the anti post markets for several major races at this year's Cheltenham Festival.

Covers at the ready for important Prestbury Park meeting.

With the Meteorological Ofice predicting the likelyhood of frost and possible snow on Thursday and Friday as an 'artic blast' returns to Britain, officials at Cheltenham are reported to be standing by with frost protection covers for the whole course ahead of Saturday's planned Festival Trials Day at Prestbury Park.

A similar exercise on New Years Day allowed Cheltenham to stage one of the few British turf race meetings to take place between mid December 2009 and mid January 2010, and Cheltenham officials are hopeful similar proactive thinking will allow them to go ahead with Saturday's high profile meeting.

Lee expecting Bay to head to Haydock.

Following on from his strong run in the Welsh Grand National at Chepstow, it had been suggested Le Beau Bay might have a crack at the Irish Hennessy at Leopardstown on 07 February. But trainer Richard Lee has undermined that option, saying,

"Despite being held up by the bad weather since Christmas, Le Beau Bay is in very good condition, and while his Irish Hennessy entry was merely a speculative move, as even without Denman in the race he would find it tough at the weights, I can say with certainty we are now aiming him at the Blue Square Gold Cup at Haydock Park on 20 February." Lee added,

"He is not much bigger than a pony, but providing he gets his preferred soft ground he is exceptional. The three and a half miles around Haydock will present no problems, and if things are in his favour, I would be very hopeful he will improve on his third place in the Welsh Grand National."

Thornton still under observation.

While riding Cracboumwiz for his boss Alan King in the Dick Christian Novice Chase at Tuesday's Leicester meeting, jockey Robert Thornton took a crashing fall at the third last fence, and after initially trying to stand up, Thornton was soon attended by medical staff, and was then worryingly strapped to a back board and immediately taken to Leicester Royal Infirmary.

However, after being kept in for tests and observation overnight, Thornton was allowed home this morning.

Speaking on behalf of the jockey, his agent Dave Roberts said,

"It appears Robert has a minor back injury, nothing too serious, and he has gone home. He is very sore and severely bruised, and he will probabnly have to take a week to ten days off from racing, but happily it is nothing major, and he will be bback as soon aspossible."

Beaumont signs off at Sedgefield.

Although Fencote Mystery led for a long way in his race at Tuesday's meeting at Sedgefield, he was unable to stay on in the closing stages and provide his trainer Peter Beaumont with the perfect end to a long an illustrious training career.

Boasting the likes of Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Jodami amongst his many successes as a trainer, Beaumont admits his advancing years make things far more difficult as a trainer, and he feels the time is right to hand on the baton to the younger generation.