Olly Murphy expects to have a clearer idea about Thunder Rock’s potential ambitions for the rest of the season after he takes on Monmiral at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day. The Paul Nicholls-trained Monmiral is the likely favourite for a Grade Two contest more commonly known as ‘The Dipper’, having won at Grade One level […]
With a record number of career winners, there are obviously plenty of horses Mark Johnston can look back on with fond memories. While the likes of Branston Abby, Yavana’s Pace and Fruits Of Love all deserve honourable mentions, here are six of the top horses from the team that was ‘Always Trying’: Attraction Attraction winning […]
From growing up on an East Kilbride council estate to becoming the most successful trainer in British racing history. It is fair to say it has been quite a journey for Mark Johnston. Born in Glasgow on October 10, 1959, Johnston became interested in racing through his father, who had been a groom in the […]
Mark Johnston – the trainer of more winners in the history of British racing than anyone else – is relinquishing his role as joint-trainer with his son, Charlie, although he is keen to stress he is not retiring. Johnston, 63, who is responsible for over 5,000 victories, went into partnership with his son earlier this […]
Paul Nicholls is poised to unleash Hermes Allen on Newbury as he attempts to win the Coral Challow Novices’ Hurdle for the third year in a row. The champion trainer has targeted the race with some of his stable’s finest talent over the years, with Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Denman landing the spoils in 2006 […]
Just three days after winning the Welsh National with The Two Amigos, trainer Nicky Martin was celebrating again when the 200-1 chance Inspiratrice ran out victorious at Taunton. Heading into Christmas Martin had only trained two winners this season, but she will not be forgetting this festive period in a hurry. With her stable stalwart […]
Jet Powered, second in the ante-post lists for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle in March, continues his education at Newbury on Saturday. Nicky Henderson is keen not to ask too many questions too early of the Joe Donnelly-owned five-year-old, who was a very impressive 11-length winner on his hurdling debut at Newbury in November. He faces […]
Givega is set to step up in grade having enhanced his reputation at Fontwell on Boxing Day. Winner of a Tralee point-to-point for Colin Bowe in May 2021, the son of Authorized was ultra-impressive when making his belated debut under rules at Lingfield in November, bolting up by 13 lengths. Keen to get some more […]
Peter Scudamore is not a man given to making excuses, yet reluctantly concedes the recent cold snap may have contributed to Ahoy Senor’s fifth-place finish in the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at Kempton. Winner of the Grade One Mildmay Novices’ Chase at Aintree in April, the Lucinda Russell-trained seven-year-old has yet to score in […]
David Pipe believes there is a conversation to be had about the Randox Grand National following Remastered’s victory at Kempton over Christmas. Victory in the Ladbrokes Play “1-2-Free” On Football Handicap Chase on Tuesday was the first time the nine-year-old has got his head in front over fences since landing the Grade Two Reynoldstown Novices’ […]