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Pandorama shows his battling qualities.

After the second last in today's Christmas Parties at Punchestown Beginners Chase it looked as if Noel Meade's highly regarded hurdler Pandorama would lose his first run over the larger obstacles, but Paul Carberry got to work on his mount as he approached the last, and on the run-in Pandorama found enough to defeat Clan Tara by a head.

Speaking from the Newmarket Sales, Noel Meade commented on his young steeplechasers run,

"He jumped left handed all through the race, and that is something we will have to bear in mind for his future engagements. I know Paul Nolan holds Clan Tara in high regard, and the front two were well clear, so the performance today could be a lot better than it first appears." Meade then added,

I know he would prefer a longer trip and softer ground, so a step up to three miles on ground with more cut is a likely next step."

Sui family choose Gilltown Stud for Sea The Stars.

After careful consideration, the Sui family have decided superstar racehorse Sea The Stars will start his stud career at the Aga Khan's Gilltown Stud in County Kildare. In a statement a spokesperson said,

"Gilltown has the ideal environment for Sea The Stars to thrive, and we are delighted His Highness the Aga Khan has agreed to our request for Sea The Stars to utilise his facility in County Kildare."

It is understood Sea The Stars will stand at a cost of 85,000 euros, and this makes him one of the most expensive sires in the world. It is understood as part of the arrangement, the Aga Khan's 2008 Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe winner Zarkava will be one of the first mares to be coupled with the new 'stud star'.

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John Oxx today expressed his great pleasure at the decision to stand Sea The Stars at Gilltown Stud in Ireland, and the handler confirmed the six time Group 1 winner would move to his new home within the next few days.

Prescvis joins international four in Trials.

The Trials for the major December Hong Kong Festival are usually confined to the home based runners in Hong Kong, but for the first time, the Hong Kong Jockey Club has invited four international horses to compete in the trials on 22 November, and Luca Cumani's Presvis is the sole representative from Europe to receive an invitation.

Australian sprinters Scenic Blast and Apache Cat have been invited to compete in the Sprint Trial, while South African trained Eagle Mountain, (formerly with Aidan O'Brien), has been invited to run in the One Mile Trial.

Top bumper horses to clash at Punchestown.

Some Present and Sweeps Hill both had the distinction of finishing as runner up to last season's top rated bumper horse Dunguib, and tomorrow they are due to clash in the Totesport Lounge Novice Hurdle at Punchestown.

The Tom Mullins trained Some Present found Dunguib ten lengths too good in the Cheltenham Champion Bumper, while Sweeps Hill was nine lengths adrift in the Punchestown Champion Bumper, but later he was promoted to first place as Dunguib's post race bloodwork showed the presence of a banned substance.

The two have already proved they have taken the transition to hurdling in their stride, with Some Present having won at Punchestown, while Sweeps Hill was successful at Tipperary. With only four runners in tomorrow's race it could turn into a tactical affair, but the eventual winner is likely to be promoted in the betting for the major Cheltenham and Punchestown Novice Hurdles scheduled for March and April of next year.

Bowen happy with Snoopy Loopy ahead of Wetherby run.

Snoopy Loopy had a great start to last season, finishing third in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby before going on to snatch the Grade 1 Betfair Chase at Haydock, and past experience suggests he might well be at his best in the early section of the normal national hunt season. Add this fact to today's prenouncement from trainer Peter Bowen that Snoopy Loopy is in great form ahead of Saturday's renewal of the Charlie Hall Chase, and many an each way punter may think the eleven-year-old is a solid investment in this weekend's Grade 2 contest at the Yorkshire track.

Soumillon moves to Rouget yard.

In an interesting twist of fate, Christophe Soumillon is now to replace the jockey who has replaced him as number one to the Aga Khan, for in an announcement this morning, it has been confirmed the Belgian jockey is to replace Christophe Lemaire as stable jockey for Jean Claude Rouget.

Rouget has enjoyed a fantastic season in France, and based on the quality of the horses already in his stable, Soumillon looks set to have a very successful career for his new connections.

Richards lays out Money Trix agenda.

A winner of five of his nine starts, the Nicky Richards trained Money Trix is undoubtedly a talented chaser, but injuries have limited his racing opportunities in the last two years. But Richards has a plan to keep him in action this year by selecting races where he is unlikely to suffer jarring on adverse ground. In an interview, Richards laid out his plan,

"We will probably go to Cheltenham for the three mile one furlong handicap hurdle at the Paddy Power meeting as his pipe opener, then a chase at Kelso looks ideal, and after that, we will probably concentrate on races in Ireland, where genrally the ground is softer, and the Lexus Chase could be a good option."

Reticent but very generous.

Ryan Moore may not be the most forthcoming man in an interview situation, but he has made a gesture today which shows there is nothing wrong with his generosity.

Moore is so far clear of his rivals in the 2009 Flat Jockeys Championship, he is due to receive his championship presentation at this Friday's Newmarket meeting. As part of the presentation, Moore was due to receive a financial remuneration from title sponsers 32 Red, but in a fine gesture the new champion has agreed to give £3232.32 to the Injured Jockeys Fund, £3232.32 to Racing Welfare's Malton Fire Tragedy Appeal, with only £3232.32 actually being accepted by Moore himself.

Zacinto has successful but gentle work-out.

Having suffered a minor set-back last week, Prince Khalid Abdullah's Zacinto had a successful but gentle work-out on the Newmarket Gallops this morning. The Sir Michael Stoute trained three-year-old has never been out of the first two in his five races to date, and if in tip-top condition, he could be a good outside choice for the Breeders Cup Mile.

However, until the doubts over his well-being are established after a further gallop later in the week, punters are advised to keep their speculative wagers firmly in their pockets.

Longsdon aiming french import at Becher Chase.

Following his very pleasing four and a half length win over Lord Generous at Towcester on Sunday, Charlie Longsdon has confirmed he is aiming his six-year-old french import Palypso de Creek at this season's Becher Chase at Aintree. A three time winner in France, Palypso de Creek has been acquired with a possible future tilt at the Grand National in mind, and a run in the Becher Chase would be a clear first step in observing as to whether he can cope with the Aintree fences.

Loch Derg back to try his luck again.

Veteran Loch Derg is amongst the entrants for Saturday's John Smiths Hurdle at Wetherby. The David Pipe trained hurdling standing dish seems to have been competing in major hurdle races forever, but he may find Saturday's extended three mile one furlong trip beyond his comfort zone, and last year's winner, the Nigel Twiston Davies trained Pettifour, could be the one to complete back to back victories.

The Evan Williams trained young hurdler Simarian has never run beyond two and a quarter miles, but connections are hopeful he can stay the trip, and his recent third to Starluck would give him a chance if he has the stamina to see out the extended trip.

The locally based stables of Keith Reveley and Howard Johnson look likely to be represented by Rambling Minster and No Refuge respectively. While Irish trainer James Lambe will try to give the emerald isle its first winner since Boss Doyle won back to back victories in 2000 and 2001, and it is possible the handler could be doubly represented by Ecole and Auenschutze.

Captain's come back delayed.

Former Supreme Novice Hurdler Captain Cee Bee was due to make his come back to racing after a long injury lay-off at either tomorrow's meeting at Punchestown or Saturday's meeting at Naas, but his novice chasing campaing has once more been delayed after trainer Eddie Harty announced a minor set-back had put all plans on hold for at least another week.

Moore given 'Strangles' all clear.

The Irish import yearling which caused the Strangles quarintine to be imposed at Stan Moore's stables has now recovered, and with no further cases being reported, after nearly a month in limbo, Moore has been given permission by the BHA to once more use the Jockey Club gallops at Lambourn.

Redford tops Tattersalls Autumn Sale.

With over forty winners this season, Marwan Koukash has certainly become the rising star amongst British based owners, and at the first session of the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale, his agent put in the highest successful bid of the session, paying 130,000 guineas for three time winner Redford.

Rated at 108, Redford has disappointed when fancied in several big handicaps this season, but if Koukash believes the four-year-old gelding still has potential, it will be interesting to see to whom he delegates the job of re-invigorating Redford's winning ways.

Galway Chase sees two jockeys injured.

In a week which is already turning into a catalogue of injuries to leading national hunt jockeys, a freak incident during the Castlegar Handicap Chase at Monday's Galway race meeting saw jockey Andrew Mcnamara being hit on the ankle by a lose stirrup. Mcnamara later reported he was immediately wracked by pain, and he was forced to pull up his mount Benalma. Helped from the saddle, he was taken to hospital for investigations into a possible broken ankle.

However, after an x-ray examination, Mcnamara received the good news he had only badly bruised his ankle, and as is the case with these tough national hunt jockeys, he expects to be back in action at the weekend.

In the same race, Paddy Flood suffered a fall which left him with considerable soft tissue injuries, and he was immediately stood down for the day.

Murtagh admits he wants the title.

Despite all his high profile winners over the last few years, Johnnie Murtagh yesterday admitted he really wants to win this year's Irish Flat Jockeys Championship,

"Not having won the title since 1998, I am very keen to get my name back on the roll of honour."

Currently on 85 winners, Murtagh holds a lead of four over his nearest rival Pat Smullen, but he appreciates it will be nip and tuck until the end of the season on 27 November,

"I am going to miss one meeting due to the Breeders Cup, so I suspect the title will come down to the last six meetings at Dundalk, and to that end, I am putting pressure on my agent to get me some useful rides at the Dundalk meetings."

Frankie wants ton before Melbourne Cup ride.

Frankie Dettori has advised the media he intends to go all out to ride one hundred winners prior to his intended ride in the Melbourne Cup. Currently on ninety five winners for the season, Dettori wants to secure five more domestic winners before he has to fly off on international duties, so no doubt agent Ray Cochrane has been twisting a few arms to secure the former champion some good prospects over the next few days.

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