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wbx.com renew million pound hurdle prize.

The online division of World Betting Exchange - wbx.com - have renewed the offer of a million pound bonus for the hurdler who can win the three Grade 1 two mile hurdles during the upcoming British national hunt season.

All that is required is for an outstanding hurdler to win: The wbx.com Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle, the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton Park, and the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.

If Nicky Henderson's Punjabi had not fallen during the Christmas Hurdle, he may have collected last season's prize, so winning is not out of the question, but it will certainly require a special horse to collect.

Pesslier booked for Vision D'Etat.

It would seem trainer Eric Libaud means business with Vision D'Etat in Sunday's Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe, for today he has advised Olivier Pesslier is to take the ride on his four year old. A master of the late run at Longchamp, Pesslier already has the plum ride on Goldikova in the Prix de Foret, and as a shrewd judge of horse flesh, he will not have taken the ride on the Prince of Wales's Stakes winner unless he thought Vision D'Etat has a major chance in Sunday's premier race.

Elusive Wave to miss Prix de Foret.

Prix Poule d'essai des Pouliches (French 1,000 Guineas) winner Elusive Wave is reported by trainer Jean Claude Rouget to be suffering from an upset, and will now miss a clash with Goldikova in this Sunday's Prix de Foret at Longchamp.

The filly disappointed last time out when she refused to race when favourite for the Prix du Moulin, but she had subsequently completed a successful stalls test, and one is bound to wonder if this 'upset' may have been affecting her prior to her last run.

Sariska unlikely to be supplemented.

If our information is correct, and it usually is, Michael Bell will not supplement Sariska for this Sunday's Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe.

We understand the trainer believes the ground at Longchamp will not be conducive to Sariska showing her best form, and the dual Oaks winner will now be aimed at alternative races on easier ground.

Hannon salutes departing Commander.

Richard Hannon today paid a major tribute to Acomb Stakes runner up Emerald Commander following the news the juvenile is yet another top two year old to be snapped up by Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin organisation.

"I am really sorry to see him go. He is a fine son of Pivotel, and his subsequent win in a Listed race at Haydock suggests he could be a genuine Guineas contender, particularly if there is some cut next May at Newmarket."

It is understood the youngster has already been transferred to the care of Saeed bin Suroor's yard in Newmarket, but it is not clear as to whether he will race again this season.

Boylesports end their Irish Guineas association.

The Curragh have today announced, Boylesports, one of Ireland's leading independant bookmakers, is to end its six year association with the Irish Guineas Festival, held at the Curragh each May.

While thanking Boylesports for their past sponsership and support, the racecourse have announced they are seeking a new sponser for the Irish 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas, due to be staged on 22 and 23 May 2010.

Sayif finished for the season.

Peter Chapple Hyam has today confirmed, after winning last Sunday's Group 2 John Guest Diodem Stakes at Ascot, Sayif is to be put away for the winter, and will then be brought back for a campaign revolving around the major sprints in 2010.

Without going into too much detail, Chapple Hyam suggested the Duke of York Stakes next May could be the first target of next year's campaign.

Kirklees has temperature after Australia trip.

The British raiders for this year's major middle distance races in Australia have arrived safely in Melbourne, and while Luca Cumani's Cima de Triomphe and Basaltico undertook some training at Sandown racecourse, the Godolphin pair Kirklees and Crime Scene were limited to light exercise in the quarantine area after it was discovered Kirklees had a slightly raised temperature.

Flat now main objective for Kasbah Bliss.

Francois Doumen has declared flat racing is now the main priority for former dual purpose inmate Kasbah Bliss, and while the french trainer is putting all his effort into ensuring his charge can take victory in this Sunday's Prix du Cadran at Longchamp, in a statement today, he made it quite plain Kasbah Bliss has run his last race over hurdles.

For those of us who watched the regular french raider demolish his hurdling opponents at Haydock Park earlier this year, the news is a blow, but knowing Monsieur Doumen, he probably has another top hurdler coming through his ranks who will challenge Anglo Irish dominance of this season's premier hurdle races.

Ground likely to smother Smokie Oakie effort.

Mark Tompkins admits he is the eternal optimist, but even he believes the ground at Newmarket is unlikely to ease sufficiently for him to allow 2008 Brigadier Gerard Stakes winner Smokie Oakie to line up in Saturday's Totesport Cambridgeshire. Discussing his options, Tompkins commented,

"He hasn't been at his best this season, but I would rather wait for some cut towards the end of the season rather than risk him on unsuitable ground at Newmarket.

You never know, we may have sufficient rain to ease the ground, but if that does not happen, he will not run in the Cambridgeshire."

One better and double attempt could be on the cards.

The Jim Goldie trained Nanton was 66/1 when finishing second in last year's Cambridgeshire, but his recent form has been outstanding, and despite having to caryy 9 stone 3 pounds in Saturday's race, he could be capable of winning the ultra competitive handicap if getting a clear path for his customary late run.

In an interesting move today, trainer Goldie has indicated if Nanton were to be triumphant in the Cambridgeshire, he would be tempted to give his charge the opportunity to become the first horse since Plaisanterie in 1885 to win both legs of the Autumn Double.

With his fourth in the Tote Ebor, and his recent triumph in the Doncaster Mallard Stakes showing his well-being and stamina, it would seem in many ways, success in the Cambridgeshire over nine furlongs could be the more difficult task, but if he did win on Saturday, he could immediately go to the head of the market for the Cesarewitch.

Ormiston sells Kingsfort to Maktoum family.

Owner Norman Ormiston managed to buy Vincent O'Brien National Stakes winner Kingsfort for the miserly sum of 36,000 guineas, and it is understood he has made a very handsome profit by selling the unbeaten juvenile into the ownership of Hamdan al Maktoum.

Kingsfort's current trainer Kevin Prendergast is on the list of trainers used by the Maktoum family, but the Irish handler does not yet know as to whether he will keep the youngster at his yard, or whether the talented two year old will be transferred to one of the Maktoum trainers based in Britain.

Premio Loco destined for Hong Kong run.

After securing his second Group 2 win in Germany this last weekend, the Chris Wall trained Premio Loco seems destined for a trip to Hong Kong at the backend of the year. Discussing his plans for the progressive five year old, Wall said,

"He has continued to improve all season, and he is the type of horse who thrives on his racing. I am sure he would be suited by the track and conditions at Sha Tin, and I would be very interested in giving him a go in the November qualifying races for the Hong Kong December Festival."

Keredari provides Oxx with the perfect start to the week.

If John Oxx required an omen as to how his week will go ahead of the run of Sea The Stars in Sunday's Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe, he could not have wished for a better start, for in a Maiden race at Roscommon on Monday, the Mick Kinane ridden Keredari gave the trainer his first two year old winner of the season.

The son of Oasis Dream was very impressive in the style of his victory, 'hard held' by jockey Mick Kinane as he crossed the line two and a half lengths in front of the well regarded Ballydoyle colt Purple Heart.

If yesterday's race was a representative example of the current form of the Currabeg handlers horses, then Sea The Stars is a 'shoe-in' at Longchamp on Sunday.

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