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Scoop Six rolls over.

With all tickets unsuccessful by the end of the fifth leg of today's Scoop Six Wager, the Win and Bonus Funds roll over until next week - Full details on the amounts in both pots will be printed in the news section tomorrow morning.

Fair Along puts Cesarwich disappointment behind him.

With a wonderful display of hurdling and stamina, Fair Along put his recent disappointing run in the Totesport Cesarewich well behind him as he ran away with today's John Smiths Hurdle at Wetherby.

Jockey Rhys Flint made sure Fair Along accompanied race favourite Pettifour to the lead after the front running Loch Derg weakened, but whereas Fair Along found plenty on the home straight, Pettifour put in a series of poor jumps as his stamina faded, and Fair Along strode on to win in very comfortable style. The disappointing Pettifour struggled home for the runners up spot, with Loch Derg rallying close home to deny third position to No Refuge.

If Fair Along can repeat this kind of performance in long distance hurdle races as the season progresses, he could once more become a major contender for the World Hurdle prizes available at Cheltenham and Punchestown next March and April respectively.

Johnson boosts Well Chief ahead of remarkable return.

Although Well Chief could only manage one run last season after a twenty three month lay off, he did finish a remarkable second to Masterminded in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham.

Now ahead of an expected return to racing in the Tingle Creek Chase, owner David Johnson has indicated he expects his lightly raced ten year old to cause some major upsets at the highest level of two mile chasing during the upcoming season. Johnson told the ATR,

"David Pipe has done a remarkable job with him, and he not only looks a picture, he is eating up the training ground, and despite his age I truly expect him to upset a lot of people this coming season."

Cecil filly denies Nurture.

For most of the last furlong in today's Listed Montrose Fillies Stakes at Newmarket, Kieran Fallon must have thought he would land the prize on Irish filly Nurture. Fallon had brought his filly on the rail to challenge the leader Time Piece, and when he headed the race in the final furlong he looked as if he would go on, but Henry Cecil's Time Piece is nothing if not game, and she rallied up the climb to the line, and eventually snatched the spoils by a nose from the luckless Nurture, with Clarietta running on for third place.

Deep Purple pulls off unlikely win in Charlie Hall.

With Wetherby specialist Ollie McGurn going to the last fence two lengths in front of Tamarinbleu and what appeared to be a struggling Deep Purple, it looked nailed on Nigel Twiston Davies's eleven-year-old chaser would collect his third Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby this afternoon. But after the last he emptied, and race favourite Tamarinbleu then looked the winner, but some how the Evan Williams trained Deep Purple responded to pressure in his first attempt over three miles, and he snatched the Grade 2 prize on the line from Tamarinbleu, with the gallant Ollie McGurn having to settle for third place.

Prince spoils Shaweel return.

Despite having been off the track for nearly six months, Godolphin's Shaweel was supported into favouritism for today's Listed contest at Newmarket, but as predicted yesterday by Saeed bin Suroor he needed the race and had to settle for second position behind Prince of Dance.

Gerrity picks up twelve day ban.

Having taken race favourite My Petra on to the wrong course during the mares hurdle race at Wetherby this afternoon, Nicky Henderson's stable jockey Barry Gerrity was given a twelve day ban from racing by the Wetherby stewards, but one has a feeling he might appeal the verdict as the jockey believes bollards should have bbeen in place to aid his understanding of the correct course.

The Last Derby a shock winner of United House Gold Cup.

With the Paul Nicholls trained favourite Just Amazing sending out distress signals a long way from home, Holdem had come into contention around the home turn and led the field towards the second last fence of today's United House Gold Cup at Ascot, but Aimigayle, who had contended the lead of the race throughout, came back for more, only for Liam Tredwell on 33/1 outsider The Last Derby to come rushing through and take the lead near the last fence of today's three mile contest. The Last Derby extended his lead after the last, and Amigayle plugged on for second spot, with Shining Gale and Seven is my inumber running on close home to grab the minor honours.

Tranquil Sea lands the odds in Poplar Square Chase.

Despite the absence of Arkle Trophy winner Forpadydeplasterer due to ground conditions, Edward O'Grady's Tranquil Sea landed a host of hefty bets when running out a deserved winner of today's Poplar Square Chase at Naas.

Led for most of the race by Made in Taipan, Andrew Mcmamara had brought Tranquil Sea into the race with the minimum of fuss, but when the leader departed at the second last, he sent Tranquil Sea on, and Mcnamara enjoyed a 'hands and heels' finish as his mount was never extended to hold Joncol to a length and a quarter, with Trafford Lad back in third place.

The trainers of the second and third, Paul Nolan and Lawrence Butler, will take heart from the race, and both Joncol and Trafford Lad should be back on the winning track very soon.

Carberry suspended after breath test.

Paul Carberry was suspended from his three rides at Naas this afternoon after he failed an on-course breath test. With traces of alcohol found in his sample, Naas stewards have now referred Carberry to the Irish Turf Club.

Kauto Star to start season at Haydock.

With connections this morning ruling out a return journey for last year's winner Kauto Star to the jmwine.com Chase at Down Royal next Saturday, it now seems certain the Cheltenham Gold Cup holder will commence this season in the Betfair Chase at Haydock Park.

Major withdrawals and absentees from Melbourne Cup.

In two shock withdrawals announced this morning, 2007 Melburne Cup winner Efficient, and Godolphin's Kirklees, have both been scratched from this year's running of Australia's premier race.

Furthermore, while Scenic Shot won today's Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes, Cima de Triomphe, who needed to finish in the first three, could only finish ninth, and unless there are mass defections in the next week, it seems very unlikely Luca Cumani's charge will gain entry into the Melburne Cup field.

Meanwhile, at the start of today's Mackinnon Stakes, Zipping crawled down under the stalls, and seemed to hurt himself in the process. Stewards immediately withdrew him from today's race, and after race comments seemed to indicate the eight year old is now a major doubt for the Melbourne Cup.

Conduit sold to Japanese Stud.

Ballymacoll Stud have sold King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Conduit to the Big Red Farm Stud in Japan, and the four year old will commence his stud duties in early 2010.

Ayr passes early morning inspection.

The current and forecast heavy rain effecting Scotland had put today's fixture at Ayr's West Coast racecourse in jeopardy, but thankfully, after an early morning inspection, today's fixture goes ahead on ground described as generally soft with the odd heavy patch.

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