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Sweeps Hill takes tactical affair.
As we warned in Tuesday's news article, today's Totesport Lounge Novice Hurdle turned into an unsatisfactory tactical affair in which A P McCoy just prevailed on John Kiely's Sweeps Hill from his main rival, the Davy Russell ridden Some Present.
The latter had initially set a good pace, but Russell took a pull after his mount tried to run out at the second flight, and then we had the spectacle of the Tom Mullins trained youngster taking his rivals round in a cantor for the next five flights of hurdles. Inevitably, the race turned into a four furlong sprint, and although Some Present got his head in front just after the last, A P put the J P Mc Manus owned Sweeps Hill into top gear, and the John Kiely trained former leading bumper horse prevailed by three quarters of a length as the leading two passed the winning line.
Despite the fact Sweeps Hill had maintained his unbeaten record, Kiely admitted,
"I don't know what to make of that race. In many ways it was totally unsatisfactory, but at least he maintained his unbeaten record over hurdles." Kiely then added,
"I am sure there is a lot more to come, and he will be better in a race were there is a satisfactory pace."
In the Punchestown Events Centre Maiden Hurdle, another former top bumper horse - Paul Nolan's Shinrock Paddy - led virtually all the way and finally accounted for runner up Gallant Light by half a length in a tight finish.
Prix de Flore goes to Celimene.
The Sir Michael Stoute trained Enticement tried to make all in today's Prix de Flore at St Cloud, but her goose was well and truly cooked around two furlongs from home, and three french trained fillies set about a fight to the line. In the shadow of the post the Carlos Lerner trained Celimene showed her love for St Cloud as she followed up on her April victory in the Group 3 Prix de Penelope with a half length victory over race favourite Shemiyla in today's Group 3 contest. The third filly, Rainbow dancing was also very close to her rivals in what turned out to be a pulsating finish to the race.
Major Finnegan prevails in battle of 'come back' horses.
Major Finnegan and Jered have both had nearly two years off the track with various injury problems, but when the two squared up to each other this afternoon at Punchestown, it was Liam Burke's Major Finnegan who showed the greater stamina and determination as he led from start to finish in the Dobbins Panoramic Restaurant Beginners Chase. Even the urgings of A P McCoy were not enough for the Noel Meade trained Jered, for try as he might, the gelding could ony reduce the winning margin to three quarters of a length as the 'Major' took the spoils in today's national hunt battle.
Forty nine in initial Paddy Power entry.
As one would expect for the Paddy Power Gold Cup, Paul Nicholls appears to have the strongest single hand with five entries amongst today's initial forty nine entrries for the running of the ultra competitive handicap at Cheltenham on 14 November. Recent course and distance winner Poquelin is ably supported by last season's Jewson Novices Chase winner Chapoturgeon, while Gwanako and Tatenen are due to have their preparation runs for the Paddy Power at Wetherby and Carlisle during the upcoming weekend, and these four potential Nicholls entries are supplemented by the inclusion of the very able older campaigner My Will.
The current Irish entry of four includes; Tony Martin's Kerry National winner Northern Alliance, Edward O'Grady's Tranquil Sea, Noel Meade's Jaamid, and from Eion Griffin's yard - The Last Derby.
David Pipe has entered old campaigners Our Vic and Tamarinbleu, and they could be joined by stable mates I'm So Lucky and The Package.
Alan King has included Tarotino and Sir Harry Ormesher, while Nigel Twiston Davies has declared Nowhere, Ballyfitz, Battle Cry and Razor Royale.
Nicky Henderson has entered the potential top class Petit Robin, My Petra, Pepsyrock, Strawberry, and Her Majesty's Barber Shop, but the latter may have a preference for the Betfair Chase later in the month.
Northern trainer Malcolm Jefferson has entered last season's ultra progressive According To Pete, but the trainer has already confirmed his charge will only run if the ground at Cheltenham becomes soft.
Conduit blackmailer to face charges.
According to the Guardian newspaper, Andrew Rodgerson, a twenty six year old man from Rochdale is to face blackmail charges on 01 December at Bolton crown court. It is alleged Rodgerson sent warnings via text and email to Peter Reynolds, the manager of Ballymacoll Stud, with the content of the communication suggesting Conduit would be killed if he was not withdrawn from the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot in July, (a race Conduit went on to win).
It has since been confirmed, Conduit's trainer Sir Michael Stoute took the threats so seriously, he asked the BHA to provide extra security for Conduit during his appearance at Ascot.
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police has today confirmed a man is to face blackmail charges relating to threats as to the well being of a horse prior to a race at Ascot at the end of July.
Cecil delighted with Breeders Cup trio.
Champion Stakes winner Twice Over was joined on the Newmarket gallops this morning by Midday and Father Time ahead of their journey to California this weekend, and according to eye witnesses, Henry Cecil was delighted with all three as they went through their paces ahead of respective Breeders Cup engagements.
Greatwood Hurdle attracts usual high quality entry.
Cheltenham's extended two mile Grade 3 Greatwood Hurdle has attracted the usual high quality field at its initial entry point. Last year's Champion Hurdle runner up Celestial Halo is joined in the declerations by the very progressive Starluck - the latter having already completed an emphatic win at Prestbury Park during the opening fixture of the season.
The well regarded Ashkazar and Blue Bajan, the latter having been in good form on the flat, could represent the Andy Turnell yard.
Alan King has also entered Supreme Novices Hurdle runner up Medermit, and although his form tapered off at the end of last season, murmers coming out of the King stable suggest he looks in fine form ahead of the current campaign.
Needless to say for an important Cheltenham handicap hurdle, there are plenty of Irish entries, with sixteen of the initial fifty six entries coming from the Emerald Isle. The enigmatic but talented Clopf is joined by recent Listed race winner Donnas Palm, while Raise Your Heart has already won at Group level on the flat, and must have every chance if repeating that form over hurdles.
Barber Shop likely for Haydock.
A spokespperson for Her Majesty the Queen has indicated Barber Shop's handicap rating is now too high for him to get into the Paddy Power Gold Cup or Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at a sensible weight, consequently, the lightly raced seven year old will probably line up in the £200,000 Grade 1 Betfair Chase at Haydock on 21 November.
Royal Diamond heads second day list.
A winner of four consecutive races, Royal Diamond topped the list of horses sold at Tuesday's session of the Tattersalls Horses in Training Sale. Sold out of Sir Mark Prescott's yard, the three year old was purchased by trainer Michael Dods on behalf of owner Andrew Tinkler for 400,000 guineas.
Australian interest in northern hemisphere horses continued at the session, and highly rated four time handicap winner Fanjura was sold for 200,000 guineas to the Ball and Chain Partnership based in Melbourne.
Meade discusses plans for two of his stable stars.
Noel Meade has today been discussing his plans for two of his more difficult stable stars. In the case of Aran Concerto, his injury prone eight year old has undoubted talent, having won two Grade 1 novice hurdle races before going on to win the Powers Gold Cup over fences at this year's Fairyhouse Easter Festival, but the gelding is also subject to injury problems, and has to be brought on with 'kid gloves'.
Discussing plans for Aran Concerto during the 2009 2010 season, Meade said,
"He is now back into half speed training, and he should be ready by mid December. With so few races under his belt he is still well handicapped, and a high class handicap may be our first option for him, but in due course, I would hope he could compete in the Lexus or Hennessy Chases later in the season."
Going on to talk about the enigmatic Harchibald, Meade commented,
"I know it is a bit late to be introducing him to novice chasing at ten years of age, but I was pleased enough with his first run. He needed the run at Punchestown more than we thought, and he met Sizing Europe, who I reckon could go on to big race success, so I was not disappointed with his effort to finish second. Dependant on the ground, he could have his next outing at Navan on Sunday week, but we will take him back to two miles from now on."
Butler gives The Sawyer a double Aintree objective.
Still going well enough in a respectable sixth place, The Sawyer had his first experience as to the toughness of the Grand National fences when falling at the final obstacle in last season's Topham Trophy, but trainer Bob Butler believes his gelding is now that wee bit stronger and wiser, and he intends to send The Sawyer back to Aintree to compete in next month's Becher Chase.
Butler explains the move as follows,
"I am hopeful a clear round and a good result in the Becher Chase could see The Sawyer rise sufficiently in the handicap for him to qualify for a run in the Grand National. I have discussed our options with connections, and we all agree he could be an ideal Grand National horse, so for the time being, that will be our main objective for this season."
Luska Lad to travel to Down Royal.
A fine winner in his first outing over timber in a novice hurdle at Galway on Monday, the John Hanlon trained Luska Lad will now be aimed at a novice hurdle at Down Royal's premier meeting on 06 November.
A top bumper horse in the 2008 2009 season, Luska Lad was only beaten by Dunguib and Sweeps Hill, both of whom have already proved this season their on-going well being having both landed consummate victories in respective wins at Galway and Tipperary.
If last year's top bumpers continue to win over timber,they could all find themselves as the major rivals for the leading novice hurdle prizes at the various spring national hunt festivals, and race-goers could be in for a real feast of top quality novice hurdle races during the current campaign.
Indeed, the first of these clashes can be seen as early as today, for two of last season's top bumper horses - Some Present and Sweeps Hill - are due to compete against each other at Punchestown this afternoon. As both have won their initial outings over hurdles, one will have to face the reality of losing a perfect record at the end of today's novice contest.
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Later today, John Hanlon insisted his current leading bumper horse Western Leader is more advanced than Luska Lad was at this stage of his career. Hanlon went on to say,
"I think Western Leader is a real horse, and I think he has the potential to be the Cheltenham Champion Bumper. He already has two wins to his credit, and we intend to run him in the bumper race at Down Royal, and if all goes according to plan, he will then go on to the Graded bumper race at Navan."
Reveley ponders Tazbar debut over fences.
The undoubtedly talented but sometimes erratic hurdler Tazbar is due to start his novice chasing campaign for Keith Reveley this season, and the trainer admits he is tempted to give his charge a first run in this weekend's Colin Parker Memorial Intermediate Chase at Carlisle.
However, Reveley has identified two problems which may make him give the race a miss,
"The ground on our training area has been unusually firm for the time of year, and I have not had the opportunity to give Tazbar as much schooling over practise fences as I would like." Reveley adadded,
"With its run os six uphill fences, I think Carlisle is an ideal course to bring on a novice chaser, and Sunday's race normally has small fields, which is also ideal for a novice chaser's first experience over the larger obstacles. But this year the race has attracted a larger field, and it has also attracted the talented Killyglen and Tatenen as probable runners, and when I assess Tazbar's development so far, I wonder if Sunday's race may not be too much for him at the moment. I think we will school him again for the next couple of days, and dependant on how he performs in training, then that is likely to be the deciding factor as to whether we give him his chasing debut on Sunday."
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