Altior ‘more comfortable’ as recovery from colic continues

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Nicky Henderson has issued a positive bulletin on Altior, who is recovering after a severe bout of colic.

The Seven Barrows handler announced on Wednesday that his former two-mile stable star had to undergo two operations over the weekend, including a four-hour surgery on Saturday due to the issue.

While Henderson is a little more upbeat on the 13-year-old’s health, he acknowledges Altior still has “a very long way to go”.

Nico de Boinville and Altior enjoyed multiple Grade One victories
Nico de Boinville and Altior enjoyed multiple Grade One victories (Paul Harding/PA)

He told his Unibet blog: “I am pleased to report this morning that Altior had a good night and is more comfortable than he has been so far.

“There is still a very long way to go and the next stage is try to wean him off the artificial feeding system towards more natural, normal feed which will test his internal organs and if they can cope.

“It will be a big change and the question, to put it very simply, will be if his gut will still work, so it’s another big day with plenty of risks involved; with each step comes another big test.”

A true jump racing great, Altior won 19 races in a row for Henderson, including the 2018 and 2019 Champion Chase, on his way to becoming the highest-rated horse in training, with a peak mark of 175.

He was retired in 2021 aged 11, bowing out having won 21 of his 26 career starts, including 10 Grade One races and four victories at the Cheltenham Festival.

Altior has since spent his retirement with former jockey Mick Fitzgerald, who visited on Wednesday, with Henderson planning to make his own trip later on Thursday.

He added: “Mick and Chloe (Fitzgerald, wife) saw him last night and said he was definitely much brighter and perkier in himself, which is a good sign. I was unable to visit yesterday but will be seeing him later today and (owner) Pat Pugh has barely left his side.

“A lot of people say he was a fighter on course and he’s now having to prove it off it as well, but we’re keeping fingers and toes crossed that he pulls through and we’ll keep everyone posted with any further news.”

Altior is one of the most popular runners of recent years
Altior is one of the most popular runners of recent years (Julian Herbert/PA)

Henderson also expressed his gratitude for the support from racing fans for Altior, who had an army of admirers during his racing days.

He said: “I would like to say a big ‘thank you’ from all of us and everyone at the surgery who have sent so many kind messages about Altior. We are very touched and I only wish Altior could read. It means a lot.

“I’d also like to give special mention to Kate McGovern who heads up the team in charge of Altior at Donnington Grove, and while he is still in intensive care, they are doing the most wonderful job and we cannot thank them enough.”

Sean Bowen handed 18-day ban for whip breaches

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Leading jump jockey Sean Bowen has received an 18-day ban, with six days deferred for two months, for misuse of the whip after a British Horseracing Authority disciplinary panel hearing.

The pivotal incident in question was his ride aboard Mackelduff in a Wetherby handicap chase on January 14, where he was deemed to have struck the horse without giving him time to respond approaching the last fence.

The offence warranted a suspension ranging from two to six days, but as the penalty would have been Bowen’s fifth within the prior six months, he was referred to the panel.

The panel dismissed Bowen’s claim that his whip use aboard Mackelduff was corrective, agreeing upon a suspension of two days, but the overarching matter was the longer-term penalty for successive breaches of the whip rules.

Three of Bowen’s previous suspensions were incurred because he was not striking the horse on the correct part of the hindquarters, an issue that had arisen because the rider was attempting to learn the backhand technique when using the whip.

Noble Yeats and Sean Bowen winning the Many Clouds Chase at Aintree Racecourse – Saturday December 3rd
Noble Yeats and Sean Bowen winning the Many Clouds Chase at Aintree (Nigel French/PA)

The BHA had proposed to outlaw using the whip in the forehand position under revised rules – which have subsequently been amended to scrap that directive – prompting Bowen to try the method, although the rider’s solicitor Rory Mac Neice said his physical stature made the use of the backhand difficult, resulting in him striking the wrong area of the horse.

The panel included Alison Royston and Jodie Mogford and James O’Mahoney, the latter of whom was the chair and said whilst delivering the penalty: “Mr Bowen is a busy rider, his use of whip is in fact sparing with long periods without infringements.

“Regard has been given to his previous offences, described as technical offences, and the coaching that he has had to, in simple terms, change the golf swing in the context of the state of play regarding the rules as to use of the whip.

“We do accept the argument about his comparatively small size compared to other jockeys in the context of the use of the whip in the backhand.

Bowen at Leicester
Bowen at Leicester (Mike Egerton/PA)

“Our conclusion, taking into account all of those matters, and the matrix to which I have referred, is one of 18 days of suspension of licence.

“One third of that period of suspension will be deferred for a period of two months.”

Bowen is also required to attend a jockey coaching session with Richard Perham during his suspension, owing to the fact that his breaches in the main were deemed ‘technical’ and it was therefore considered that work on his technique would be beneficial.

Naval Power kicks off Classic season at Meydan

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Potential Classic contender Naval Power makes his three-year-old debut in the Jumeirah Classic at Meydan on Friday.

The Teofilo colt won his first four juvenile starts for Charlie Appleby last season, including impressive Listed victories in the Pat Eddery Stakes at Ascot and the Ascendant Stakes at Haydock.

He finished a well-beaten sixth on his final start of 2022 in the Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket, but will be a hot favourite to make a successful return to action in Dubai.

“Naval Power showed a progressive profile as a two-year-old before disappointing in the Dewhurst Stakes, when he produced an unsatisfactory scope afterwards,” Appleby told the Godolphin website.

“I have been pleased with his preparation but there will be improvement to come for the run. We are looking at giving him the one start in Dubai before looking at some of the Classic trials in the UK.”

Naval Power is one of three Appleby-trained runners in the Jumeriah Classic, with Highbank and One Nation also declared.

Highbank made a promising Dubai debut when beaten half a length into third in the Jumeirah Classic Trial three weeks ago, while One Nation was last seen finishing third in an October Newmarket nursery.

Appleby added: “We were very pleased with Highbank’s run in the trial, when he settled well and did everything the right way round. He has come on for that run and we are hoping that he can progress into a Jumeirah Derby contender.

“One Nation showed solid form as a juvenile and has done well from two to three. He has a bit to find with a couple of his rivals on ratings but his preparation has gone well and he won’t look out of place in the field.”

Charlie Appleby is well represented at Meydan on Friday
Charlie Appleby is well represented at Meydan on Friday (Mike Egerton/PA)

It promises to be another profitable afternoon for the Appleby team, with Man Of Promise bidding for back-to-back wins in the Dubai Sprint.

Last season the six-year-old claimed this Listed prize before following up in the Group Three Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint, after which he placed third behind A Case Of You in the Al Quoz on World Cup night.

This time around Man Of Promise has had a prep run for the Dubai Sprint, having filled the runner-up spot behind stablemate Lazuli in the Dubai Dash early in the new year.

“Man Of Promise has definitely come forward for his first start of the year and has a good draw in 14,” said Appleby.

“Stepping back up to six furlongs will play to his strengths and I feel he is the one they all have to beat.”

Energumene and Edwardstone clash highlights bumper Cheltenham card

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Energumene and Edwardstone are belatedly set to lock horns at Cheltenham on Saturday after the pair featured among six runners declared for the rescheduled Albert Bartlett Clarence House Chase.

Winners of the Queen Mother Champion Chase and Arkle Trophy respectively at last season’s Cheltenham Festival, Energumene and Edwardstone were due to clash at Ascot last weekend.

But with that meeting lost to frost, their Grade One tussle will instead take place as part of a bumper nine-race card at Prestbury Park.

Joe Tizzard’s Amarillo Sky was the only other runner declared for Ascot – and he will also take his chance on Saturday, along with three other contenders for the extended two-mile contest.

Gary Moore supplemented dual course winner Editeur De Gite earlier this week, with the Venetia Williams-trained Funambule Sivola and Sizing Pottsie from David Pipe’s yard the other hopefuls.

The Paddy Power Cotswold Chase also throws up an intriguing Anglo-Irish clash, with Dan Skelton’s Protektorat opposed by the Emmet Mullins-trained Noble Yeats.

Last season’s Cheltenham Gold Cup third Protektorat is the marginal favourite following his brilliant display in the Betfair Chase at Haydock in November, but Grand National hero Noble Yeats should not be underestimated judged on his impressive victory in the Many Clouds Chase at Aintree in December.

Lucinda Russell’s stable star Ahoy Senor bids to get his season back on track, having failed to fire in either the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby or the King George at Kempton either side of finishing third behind Noble Yeats on Merseyside.

Harry Skelton celebrates winning the Betfair Chase with Protektorat
Harry Skelton celebrates winning the Betfair Chase with Protektorat (Nigel Frech/PA)

The admirable Frodon (Paul Nicholls), Dusart (Nicky Henderson) and Sounds Russian (Ruth Jefferson) complete the six-strong field.

The roof could come off the grandstand if Paisley Park can land a secure a fourth successive victory in the Dahlbury Stallions At Chapel Stud Cleeve Hurdle.

Emma Lavelle’s pride and joy may be getting on in years at the age of 11, but proved the fire still burns bright by landing a third Long Walk Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day.

The veteran faces six rivals on his return to the Cotswolds, including Jeremy Scott’s Dashel Drasher and the Nicholls-trained Gelino Bello.

Scriptwriter bids to complete his hat-trick for Milton Harris in the opening JBC Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle, while Cheltenham Festival hero Delta Work heads a 15-strong field for the Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase.

Pembroke (Skelton) and Henri The Second (Nicholls), meanwhile, are two of the leading contenders for the Grade Two Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle.

Good Land hunting Grade One gold at Leopardstown

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Barry Connell’s Good Land is set for a Grade One return to Leopardstown following his taking maiden victory at the track last month.

The seven-year-old open his account over obstacles by an easy eight lengths in late December, after unseating his rider at the first flight on his hurdling debut at Fairyhouse.

Good Land holds an entry for the Grade One Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle on February 4, where a good performance could see him go on to tackle the Ballymore at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

Connell said: “He’s entered in the Nathaniel Lacey, the two-mile-six (furlong) Grade One in Leopardstown. That’s where he goes, he’s come out of his race very well at Leopardstown at Christmas.

Good Land at Leopardstown
Good Land at Leopardstown (Niall Carson/PA)

“That was his first real run over hurdles so we’re anticipating something from him. He’s a course winner so we’re hoping he can run a massive race.

“If he does that then he’ll go to Cheltenham, where he has an entry in the Ballymore.”

Good Land’s Leopardstown win saw him defeat Willie Mullins’ Embassy Gardens, form that was reinforced when the latter horse streaked home to take a Thurles novice hurdle by 35 lengths last weekend.

“Embassy Gardens won very well at Thurles. He made a mistake at Leopardstown and that probably cost him second – instead of finishing fourth he might have been second,” Connell said.

“It is nice to see a boost to the form, we’re happy with our horse and he goes back there having won recently over the course. He’s training well and we’re expecting a good run.”

Connell also has Cheltenham in mind for Royal Bond winner Marine Nationale, who was last seen landing the Grade One novice hurdle by a head from Irish Point.

Marine Nationale during the Royal Bond
Marine Nationale during the Royal Bond (Brian Lawless/PA)

He too has seen his stock rise thanks to the performances of former rivals, with Irish Point going on to finish second in the Lawlor’s Of Naas Novice Hurdle – beaten only by the fourth-placed horse in the Royal Bond, Champ Kiely.

Marine Nationale has enjoyed a short break since his Fairyhouse victory, but the six-year-old is back in action and will be aimed directly at the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

“He’s good, he’s back in full training. We gave him a break for about a month because he had been on the go for the whole summer,” said Connell.

“He didn’t get a summer break like most of the novices did, so he’s come back fresh and well. The plan is to go to the Supreme, he doesn’t have an entry in any of the other novice races.

“That’s where he’ll head, we’re happy with him and he’s back in full training. We’ll probably get a racecourse gallop into to him somewhere, probably a week before he goes and that would be his preparation sorted.”

Michael O’Sullivan and Marine Nationale
Michael O’Sullivan and Marine Nationale (Brian Lawless/PA)

Of the subsequent form boost, the trainer added: “The Grade One form worked out well in the Lawlor’s Of Naas – the horses who were second and fourth where first and second there.

“It’s always good to see the collateral form working out. We’re very happy with him and we think the better ground, which hopefully we will get a Cheltenham, will be in his favour.

“The ground had gone soft at Fairyhouse and that wouldn’t have suited him but nevertheless, he still managed to win. I’d say he’ll be even better on spring ground.”

Connell also owns and trains Enniskerry, victor in the Kilbegnet Novice Chase back in September before pulling up in the Grade One Drinmore.

The ground had become unsuitably testing on the latter occasion and the gelding will now wait for quicker conditions before he returns, with the Galway Plate the ultimate target come summer.

Enniskerry at Galway
Enniskerry at Galway (Niall Carson/PA)

“Enniskerry’s last run was in the Drinmore, the ground had become heavy and that was totally unsuitable,” said Connell.

“He was pulled up and he’s on a break now. The plan is to train him for the Galway Plate in the summer.

“He’s already a winner around Galway, so we know he goes around the track. He won a beginners chase there at the Festival, he’ll come back in the late spring and that’ll be his main target.”

Kirby planning Leopardstown raid for Top Ville Ben

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Top Ville Ben is set to be tasked with a raiding mission to the Dublin Racing Festival having seen an intended engagement at Lingfield lost to the recent cold snap.

Phil Kirby’s 11-year-old was primed to defend his Cazoo Hurdle title during the Surrey track’s Winter Million weekend, but will now revert to fences for the Bulmers Handicap Chase at Leopardstown on February 5.

British runners have been in short supply at the Dublin track’s two-day showpiece, but Kirby has taken over Lady Buttons to mix it with Ireland’s best in the past and believes his stable stalwart has a fair chance of getting in the shake-up if reproducing his best.

Top Ville Ben clears a hurdle on his way to winning the Cazoo Hurdle during day one of The Winter Million Festival at Lingfield Park last year
Top Ville Ben clears a hurdle on his way to winning the Cazoo Hurdle during day one of The Winter Million Festival at Lingfield Park last year (Simon Marper/PA)

He said: “He’s most likely going there and that’s the plan at the moment. He’s a bit limited to where he can go but the owners are going to go over there, so I think that is where we are going to head.

“It’s a big prize and it’s going to be very competitive, but it is the sort of race we have to run in, so we’ll go over and give it a good go.

“Obviously you need to be very well handicapped for these races and whether we are or not, I’m not sure, but he’s probably at least fairly handicapped on the best of his form.

“I don’t mind going over there. If the owners can have a good day out and the horse has a chance, I’ll go anywhere.”

Kirby has also had to reroute new recruit Jason The Militant, who saw designated outings at both Lingfield and Haydock lost to the weather.

The former Henry de Bromhead inmate, who transferred to North Yorkshire for £50,000, is now poised to appear at Cheltenham on Saturday in handicap company where he will have to shoulder the burden of top weight in the SSS Super Alloys Handicap Hurdle.

He continued: “It’s certainly not ideal and the plan was definitely to run last weekend. But we are again a bit limited on what we do now and the ground is drying up as well.

“I think we’re just going to have to go and make a start to be honest. I did look in Ireland and there’s very little in Ireland for him as well, so I just thought we’ll most likely go there (Cheltenham), make a start and then work from there.

“Hopefully it won’t dry up too much, but we need to get a run into him as he’s been off long enough. He’s been grand, but I just think the ground might dry up more than ideal for him. We’ll go and see where we are.”

In Excess forces his way into Festival frame

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In Excess may have earned himself a place on Willie Mullins’ formidable Cheltenham Festival squad after starring in a treble for the champion trainer at Fairyhouse on Wednesday.

The French-bred gelding was the 4-9 favourite for the Easter Festival Early Bird Maiden Hurdle, having previously finished second in a French bumper and on his Irish debut at Limerick last month.

Those who took the cramped odds will have had few concerns, with In Excess readily pulling 11 lengths clear in the hands of Sean O’Keeffe – deputising for Paul Townend, who sat out the card due to illness.

“He was keen enough during the race, but I was very happy with the way he quickened after the second-last as I thought he’d done a lot of work at that stage,” said Mullins.

“To win 11 lengths from where he was at the second-last, I thought it was a good performance on very testing ground.

“He’s a horse that could move up to graded class. I don’t know where we’ll go next, I’d like to find a winners-of-one or a Listed race maybe.

“I’d be hoping he’ll improve going into the spring time and he’ll probably go for one of the novice hurdles in Cheltenham I’d say, maybe the Ballymore.”

The trainer’s nephew Danny Mullins stood in for Townend aboard the other yard’s other two winners – Chavez (9-4) in the Fairyhouse For Your Fundraiser Beginners Chase and Hauturiere (11-10) in the HAY ‘How Are Ya’ Campaign Mares Maiden Hurdle.

Hauturiere after winning under Danny Mullins
Hauturiere after winning under Danny Mullins (Gary Carson/PA)

Of the latter, Mullins added: “I was a little bit concerned at the third last as the signals coming from Danny didn’t look great, but she was in behind a few horses and once he got clear and took her wide, she just took off and I was very happy how she finished.

“I’ve always thought a nice bit of her but was just disappointed we hadn’t got her head in front. Today she got her head in front on very testing ground and she’ll probably stay much further.

“I don’t know if she’s good enough, but she’ll probably get an entry in the Grade One here at Easter and she has a lot of experience to go to the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle in Cheltenham.”

Three Card Brag impressed for Gordon Elliott and Adrian Heskin
Three Card Brag impressed for Gordon Elliott and Adrian Heskin (Gary Carson/PA)

Another Fairyhouse winner with Cheltenham aspirations is Gordon Elliott’s Three Card Brag.

With Adrian Heskin aboard, the 8-11 favourite proved 12 lengths too strong for the Mullins-trained Spanish Harlem and was cut to 10-1 from 12-1 for the Albert Bartlett by Paddy Power.

Elliott’s assistant, Ian Amond, said: “Adrian said going out that he’d probably make the running on him because he wants further down the line.

“He’s a nice horse and he stays at it well. It probably wasn’t ideal having to make the running because he’s lazy, but Adrian said he picked up and the further he went, the better he was.”

Sir Gerhard makes belated chasing bow at Gowran

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Willie Mullins is looking forward to seeing his dual Cheltenham Festival winner Sir Gerhard belatedly get his novice chase campaign under way on the Thyestes Chase undercard at Gowran Park on Thursday.

The Cheveley Park Stud-owned eight-year-old won the Champion Bumper at Prestbury Park in 2021 and returned to the Cotswolds to land the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle last season.

He suffered his first defeat in four hurdles outings at Punchestown in the spring, but was still expected to take high rank over the larger obstacles this season.

Having suffered a setback before Christmas, the point-to-point winner starts off over regulation fences later than planned in the Daly Farrell Chartered Accountants Beginners Chase, but will nevertheless be a short price to make a successful return.

“He schooled well this morning and I’m looking forward to him running,” Mullins said at Fairyhouse on Wednesday.

“It’ll be a big task for him in that ground coming so late in the season against more experienced horses.

“If his hurdle rating is anything to go by and if he jumps well, he’s one to look forward to.”

Sir Gerhard is set to face four rivals over two miles, with Henry de Bromhead’s Largy Debut bringing decent placed form to the table, having finished third behind Mighty Potter, Minella Crooner and Gentlemansgame in his three chase starts to date.

Indiana Jones (Mouse Morris), Battle Of Mirbat (Michael McDonagh) and Natural Ability (Tony Martin) are the other contenders.

Teahupoo to test Stayers’ credentials in Galmoy heat

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Hatton’s Grace hero Teahupoo tests the water over three miles for the first time in the John Mulhern Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran Park on Thursday.

Gordon Elliott’s charge finished last behind Honeysuckle in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham and the Punchestown Champion Hurdle last season, but turned that form on its head when inflicting a first career defeat on Henry de Bromhead’s superstar mare at Fairyhouse last month.

That victory came over the intermediate distance of two and a half miles and Elliott is keen to see how he fares over an even longer trip in a bid to discover whether the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in March is a realistic target.

When asked if he was looking forward to running Teahupoo over three miles, Elliott said: “I’m looking forward to every day!

“It is a step up in trip and it looks like it will suit him, so we will see what happens.

“We will get Thursday out of the way, but that (Stayers’ Hurdle) is what we are thinking. We are dreaming rather than thinking!”

Teahupoo will be ridden by Davy Russell, who is out to secure his first Graded success since coming out of retirement to fill in for the injured Jack Kennedy.

“It was no surprise to us what this lad did in Fairyhouse last month as he was simply returning to the level we know he can perform at,” Russell told his Star Sports blog.

Davy Russell rides Teahupoo at Gowran Park
Davy Russell rides Teahupoo at Gowran Park (Niall Carson/PA)

“He was good here in Gowran last February and we know conditions are in his favour. He’s always shaped like he’s worth a crack at this sort of a trip so we will learn plenty about him.

“This is no easy task though as it’s a good deal further than he’s gone before and he’s a fair penalty to shoulder too. That said, it does look the ideal opportunity for Teahupoo.”

Martin Brassil is looking forward to saddling Longhouse Poet, who won the Thyestes Chase on this card 12 months ago before going on to finish sixth in the Grand National at Aintree.

While his better form is over the larger obstacles, the nine-year-old did make a successful switch to hurdling at Limerick over the Christmas period and Brassil is happy to roll the dice.

He said: “We’re looking forward to his run and he’ll love the ground and he’ll love the trip. It looks like there’s a horse a stone and a half better than him in there, but we’re happy to run him anyway and see how he gets on.

“We were very pleased with his Limerick win and we are hopeful he can build on that. He took the Limerick race very well and we’ve been very happy with him since, so we will see how we go.”

Beacon Edge is fitted with blinkers for the first time by Noel Meade, while De Bromhead is represented by the veteran Summerville Boy.

Early Doors (Joseph O’Brien) and My Design (Declan Queally) complete the Grade Two field.

Gordon favouring Betfair Hurdle for Aucunrisque

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Chris Gordon is poised to aim versatile Aucunrisque at Newbury’s Betfair Hurdle in a fortnight’s time and has all but ruled him out of a tilt over fences on Saturday.

The seven-year-old has won four of six races over hurdles, but has been campaigned in chases so far this term.

Having won on his fencing bow at Uttoxeter, he was runner-up to Frere D’Armes in the Fulke Walwyn Trophy at Newbury and was then beaten a length by Boothill in the Grade Two Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase at Kempton over Christmas.

Though he holds an entry in the MND Association Race For Research Lightning Novices’ Chase at Doncaster on Saturday, the Hampshire-based handler would sooner run him over hurdles before reverting to fences at the Cheltenham Festival.

“I’m very keen to run him in the Betfair,” said Gordon. “He’s also in the Grade Two on Saturday and if it breaks up, we might go for that, but I just think that he’s on a mark of 145, which is high enough for him over fences anyway.

“If he went and ran a blinder on Saturday, he could potentially go up 1lb or more.

“We’d like to go for the Grand Annual with him, but there we are on a mark of 138 for the Betfair, which makes a bit more sense, to go and have a run there.

“If we got lucky, it probably won’t affect our chase mark, so that’s the way I’d like to go, really.

“He’s in great form and we’re really pleased with him. Him and Highway One O Two, the plan is that both of those will go for the Betfair.”

Gordon has had a relatively quiet spell after a storming start to the season and is keen to get the ball rolling again.

“We’ve had it quiet in December, because we had a bit of a sniffle and we’ve been very quiet through January because we had to give them a flu jab,” he said.

“I had to back off them a fair bit and we are just about to get going.”