Get the facts about your family tree from Genes Reunited, and dependant on your level of interest you can obtain either our Standard or Premier package. For full details, click the link below:
Not so Cool as Bob triumphs.
Odds on favourite Cooldine tried to make all in this evenings boylesports.com Champion Novice Chase at Punchestown, but on today's softer ground he could not get away from his rivals, and the writing was on the wall when Rare Bob cruised alongside at the second last. The race then became a formality for seven to one chance Rare Bob, and he eventually ran out a length and three quarter winner from the ever consistent Gone To Lunch, with Cooldine finishing a disappointing fourth on the day.
Masterminded holds on but only just.
For most of today's Kerrygold Champion Chase at Punchestown, it went according to the script. Ruby Walsh had Masterminded in a rhythm, and he bowled along in front, and just before the second last Ruby glanced back over his shoulder, and he probably did not like what he saw, for Big Zeb was coming to lay down his challenge. For a second it looked like a big upset was on the cards, but Big Zeb put in a poor jump at the last, only for Barry Gerrity to regalvanise him up the run-in, and Ruby had to pull out all the stops on Masterminded, who showed he has guts as well as class and held on by a head from his determined rival.
You may recall, in our news section yesterday we said nothing is certain in national hunt racing, and Masterminded's narrow victory proves it is folly to discount your rivals in any race.
Hurrican blows his rivals away!
Yes, Hurrican Fly is as good as his hype! Travelling comfortably in behind Fosters Cross and Kempes at the final obstacle of today's Evening Herald Champion Novice Hurdle, when given the office by partner Ruby Walsh, he brushed between his two rivals and scorched clear to win by seven lengths.
If he keeps on improving over the summer, this unbeaten son of Monjeur will deserve to be the anti post favourite for next year's Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Punchestowns out of World Series Hurdle.
Having decided only yesterday to pull Barber Shop out of the Guinness Gold Cup, Sevenbarrows handler Nicky Henderson has had the disappointment of losing the services of favourite Punchestowns for Thursday's World Series Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival.
"He looked sore when we trotted him up last night, and we think he has a problem which will not be right in time for Thursday. It is very disappointing, as we had him earmarked for this race right from the start of the season".
Dunguib faces only nine rivals.
At today's twenty four hour decleration stage, it appears Cheltenham Champion Bumper winner Dunguib now only has nine rivals to defeat if he is to add the Paddy Power National Hunt Flat Race to his career CV.
It has to be said, Dunguib did look awesome when he won the Weatherby's sponsored race at Cheltenham, but it is a little disappointing Philip Fenton's charge will not face more opposition in tomorrow afternoon's race.
Saeed unusually ebullient.
Saeed bin Suroor is usually reticent when asked about the chances of his Godolphin horses in major races, but he is going on record prior to this weekend at Churchill Downs to claim the Godolphin pair of Desert Party and Regal Ransom represent the best opportunities Sheikh Mohammed's racing organisation have ever had at winning the 'Race for the Roses'.
Morris has doubts over War.
2006 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner War of Attrition missed the Grand National due to a training setback, but trainer Mouse Morris had managed to get him back into peak condition ahead of tomorrow's Guinness Gold Cup at the Punchestown Festival. But now the trainer is concerned the soft to heavy ground will negate all his good work. speaking earlier today he commented,
" The last time War of Attrition won the Guinness Gold Cup was after his Cheltenham win in 2006, but that was on good ground. I think the ground will be on the heavy side tomorrow, and although I suppose it is the same for all of them, I think my lad would show his best form on good ground".
However, Notra Pere's trainer Jim Dreaper is delighted with the current going, and he now expects his Welsh Grand National winner to put in a big showing in the Guinness Gold Cup.
Order of Merit under scrutiny.
Voy Por Ustedes may have earned his two hundred thousand pound prize for winning the 2008 2009 national hunt season's Order of Merit Title, but Racing Enterprises Limited, (REL), who put up half the sponsorship for the Title, are this summer to conduct a root and branch appraisal of its current usefulness and format.
Currently, the Order of Merit takes in the leading sixty nine races in the national hunt calendar, and it was established to attract larger fields for major races, and just as importantly, it was designed to attract more spectators to national hunt racing.
It is understood this summer's review will examine whether the Order of Merit is fit for purpose, whether it should be partially or radically changed, or even if, it should be scrapped entirely.
Rip Van Winkle scare!
Anti Post supporters of Rip Van Winkle are now in for a few anxious days, for it appears the 2,000 Guineas second favourite has obtained a stone bruise on a front foot. The injury seems to have occurred during a cantor on Monday morning, and despite an assurance from Aidan O'Brien, in which he stated, "I am hopeful it will heel in time for the 2,000 Guineas", supporters of Rip Van Winkle will now have a few sleepless nights while they wait to see if they are to be represented in this weekend's Classic.
Meehan still eyeing French alternative.
Brian Meehan is adamant Delegator will not run in the 2,000 Guineas if ground conditions are too fast, and if the forecast rain does not appear over Newmarket this week, he will take the decision to switch his colt to the French Guineas at Longchamp on the following weekend.
Gosden angry at Rainbow drift.
The news coming out of the John Gosden yard is the trainer is very angry at the drift in the price of Rainbow view on yesterday's betting exchanges. Apparently Gosden is bemused as to why someone attempted to suggest the non-participation of the 1,000 Guineas favourite, and Gosden hopes the filly will prove the laying participants wrong in the most hurtful way by passing the post in first place in this weekend's Classic.
Bet 365 Gold Cup could have new distance.
Sandown officials are understood to be investigating the possibility of starting the 2010 Bet 365 Gold Cup in front of the Grandstands, and thereby changing the race distance from the current three miles five furlongs, to a new proposed distance of three miles three and a half furlongs.
Naturally, the new starting point would be better for spectators, but it is likely safety and sponsorship consent would be required before any such proposal could be submitted to the racing authorities.
Farewell to Richard.
We would like to add the name of Racingsight to the list of condolences to the family and friends of Richard Hambro, who died at home on Saturday after a long fight against cancer. Richard was Chairman of Newmarket racecourse executive, and although he lived in Gloucestershire, colleagues can confirm he never missed a race, board or sub-committee meeting at Newmarket unless it was absolutely unavoidable.
Based on the tributes of far more qualified people, 'Rick' will be a sad loss to Newmarket, and to horseracing in general.
Quality Road to miss Kentucky Derby.
The one time favourite for the Kentucky Derby, Quality Road, is to miss this year's Race for the Roses'. It seems a cracked fore hoof has not responded to treatment, and connections are now not sure as to when the three year old will pick up his racing career.
Levy deal could be finalised today.
It is believed today's meeting between the representatives of the Levy Board and the Bookmakers could finalise the Levy contribution to racing for the next three years.
Speaking yesterday, Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe said,
"I welcome the probable positive outcome of tomorrow's meeting, but I believe new procedures must be put in place to speed up future negotiations on the subject of the Levy".
Masters style jacket for winners.
Betfair are not only supporting the top jockey and trainer competition at this week's Punchestown Festival with five thousand euro prizes to the two winners, copying from the US Masters Golf competition, were each year's winner receives a green jacket, from 2009 the winner of the Punchestown Festival jockey and trainer competitions will each receive a gold coloured Louis Copeland jacket to commemorate their success.
Like the Masters golf competition, Betfair then hope in the following year, the previous year's winners of the jackets will attend the final day of the Festival in order to present the winning jackets to the subsequent year's winners.
Ascot join the list of hotel possibilities.
Officials at Ascot have confirmed they are in the initial stages of investigating the possibility of constructing an on-course hotel at the Royal course. Following the recent opening of a Holiday Inn at Epsom, Ascot now join Newbury in considering the option of on-course accommodation.
Scottish courses bucking the trend.
Despite reports sponsorship in racing has fallen by an average of 4% in the last six months, this Friday's sixty thousand pound card at Musselburgh represents a real increase in prize money on the corresponding fixture in 2008. In addition, Kelso also report all their races for next Wednesday's meeting, 06 May, are fully sponsored.
So it would seem, whatever the Scottish courses are doing at present, they should bottle it and sell it south of the border.
Celebrate your winnings, or commiserate with others with fine wines & champagne’s:
==================================
Archives:
News Stories prior to July 2008
Return to text based index page
