Craig Nichol was given a 12-day ban for taking the wrong course aboard Northern Falcon at Musselburgh on New Year’s Day. With the Pauline Robson-trained 11-1 shot pulling hard in the early stages, Nichol found himself in front and clear of the pack in the Fitzdares Happy New Year Handicap Hurdle when the incident occurred. […]
Willie Mullins is eyeing a step up in grade for Quais De Paris following his winning stable debut in the David Flynn Construction Maiden Hurdle at Tramore. The five-year-old finished third in his sole appearance in France and transferred to Closutton for €180,000 in November 2021. Making his first appearance for 428 days, the son […]
Scarlet And Dove went two better than last year’s third in the John & Chich Fowler Memorial EBF Mares Chase to land the spoils at Fairyhouse on New Year’s Day. A bronze medallist in the Grade Three event behind Mount Ida and Elimay 12 months ago, Joseph O’Brien’s charge was sent off the 6-4 favourite […]
Midnight River showed plenty of stamina to give Dan and Harry Skelton the best start to 2023, landing the Paddy Power New Year’s Day Handicap Chase at Cheltenham. The eight-year-old advertised his credentials when a staying-on third in the valuable Paddy Power Gold Cup at the same venue on his previous run, albeit that was […]
Marie’s Rock bounded back into action with a convincing triumph in the careers@dornangroup.com Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham. The Nicky Henderson-trained mare has not been seen since April, when she signed off her season with a superb Grade One double in mares’ contests at Cheltenham and Punchestown. Back in action against geldings in this Grade Two […]
Minella Indo repelled the challenge Stattler in a thrilling finish to the Savills New Year’s Day Chase at Tramore. Willie Mullins has farmed the New Year’s Day feature in winning eight of the last 10 runnings, but Minella Indo’s battling display in the hands of Rachael Blackmore ended the Closutton handler’s five-year stranglehold on the […]
Connections of Rowland Meyrick Chase winner Into Overdrive are undecided about running in the Grand National, suggesting it is “50-50″ that he lines up at Aintree. Into Overdrive was beaten a length by eased-down Cheltenham Gold Cup hope L’Homme Presse in the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle in November. Mark Walford’s improving stayer backed up that […]
The Real Whacker stunned his rivals with an outsider’s victory in the Paddy Power Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham. The seven-year-old was a 10-1 chance for the Grade Two under Sam Twiston-Davies, with Paul Nicholls’ Monmiral the most fancied of the field as the 13-8 favourite for the race better known as the Dipper. Jumping exceptionally […]
Charlie Longsdon believes he will have to give Rare Edition more hurdling experience if he is to fulfil his massive potential, following an impressive success at Kempton on Boxing Day. Under Sam Twiston-Davies, the Califet gelding stayed on strongly to take a two-mile novice event by seven lengths, completing a hat-trick under a penalty. Now […]
The Big Dog has Aintree in his sights after a fine weight-carrying performance in the Welsh Grand National. Peter Fahey’s nine-year-old shouldered top-weight of 12st around Chepstow, under which he finished a gallant third when ridden by Aidan Coleman. Fahey reports the bay, who has already won the Troytown Chase and the Munster National this […]