Thomas Darby delights Murphy with Ayr chasing success

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Olly Murphy was “over the moon” to see his high-class hurdler and stable stalwart Thomas Darby open his account over fences after a thrilling battle with Gold Cup Bailly in the Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase at Ayr.

It will be four years next month since Thomas Darby finished best of the rest behind Klassical Dream in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham, after which an intended novice chasing campaign the following season was aborted after just two starts.

Now aged 10, the son of Beneficial has since plied his trade over the smaller obstacles – enjoying big-race success in the Holloway’s Handicap Hurdle at Ascot in 2020 and in last season’s Grade Two Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury.

Going back over fences for the first time since finishing a distant third at Kempton in November 2019, Thomas Darby was the outsider of four in Scotland, but proved he is no back number with a determined display under top-weight.

Gold Cup Bailly, bidding to make it four from four over fences and out to record a third successive win at the track, was the 5-6 favourite under Daryl Jacob and attempted to make all, with 15-2 shot Thomas Darby always his nearest pursuer in the hands of Sean Bowen.

The pair went at it hammer and tongs racing down the back straight for the second time, with no quarter given, but following a pulsating duel for home, it was Thomas Darby who claimed top honours by a length and a quarter.

Murphy said: “I thought he jumped unbelievably well for a horse who hadn’t run over fences for over three years and I’m absolutely over the moon.

“I hadn’t pursued his career over fences for one reason or another, but he got in a lovely rhythm and got a fantastic ride off Sean.

“It was a very competitive race for Ayr on a Wednesday and to win off 145 I thought was a good performance.”

Trainer Olly Murphy
Trainer Olly Murphy (David Davies/PA)

Considering future plans, the trainer added: “I don’t know where we’ll go from here, but we’ll have a bit of fun with him over fences. We’ll maybe go and boss a few smaller fields somewhere and if there’s a sexier target towards the end of the season, then great.

“I won’t be getting too excited. We might just try to win something small under a penalty.

“For him and Itchy Feet to have won in the same week, it’s testament to all my staff at home. These horses have been on the go for a long time and they’re not getting any younger, but to keep them sweet and happy and enjoying their racing, I’m chuffed to bits.”

Bowen was completing a double on the card, having brought up his century for the season aboard John McConnell’s Jackpot De Choisel (30-100 favourite) in the Racing TV Juvenile Hurdle.

He made it a treble – and a double for Murphy – with Booster Bob (9-4) triumphing in the We’re Racing Next On 14th February Open National Hunt Flat Race.

The Big Dog takes Leopardstown test en route to Aintree

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Peter Fahey is happy to give The Big Dog his Grand National prep run in the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown on Saturday.

The 10-year-old has already enjoyed a fantastic season, winning the Munster National at Limerick and the Troytown Chase at Navan before finishing third under 12 stone in the Welsh Grand National.

The Big Dog will face a big rise in class on the opening day of the Dublin Racing Festival, with Cheltenham Gold Cup favourite Galopin Des Champs among his likely rivals, but Fahey views the Grade One contest as an ideal stepping-stone to Aintree in April.

He said: “At the moment he’ll definitely be running. He came out of the race at Chepstow well.

“It’s a hugely competitive race and Grade One, but it fits in well in that it gives us enough time to aim for Aintree. Hopefully he puts in a big run and it will put us right for the Grand National, which is the main target.

“He’s a little bit behind on ratings on Saturday, but I wouldn’t be worried. It’s a lovely race for him and the ground isn’t going to be too heavy, so it won’t bottom him out too much.

“He’s after having a hard season, running in three big handicaps so far. We’re going into a Grade One race now, but it gives us enough time afterwards to freshen him up for Aintree.”

The Big Dog is one of two planned runners for Fahey on Saturday, with Visionarian set to line up in the Goffs Irish Arkle.

Visionarian winning at Galway
Visionarian winning at Galway (Brian Lawless/PA)

The eight-year-old could renew rivalry with Saint Roi, to whom he finished second in a Grade One at Leopardstown over Christmas, while Dysart Dynamo and Appreciate It are other potential opponents.

Visionarian is the rank outsider in ante-post lists, but Fahey is quietly confident about his chances.

He added: “Visionarian worked and schooled on Tuesday and I’m absolutely thrilled with him – he seems to have come on a bit from his last run.

“Hopefully they don’t put water on the track for him, but he’s in good form and I think he’ll run a very big race.”

Murphy mulling Cheltenham and Aintree choices for Strong Leader

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Olly Murphy is considering both Cheltenham and Aintree options for his promising hurdler Strong Leader.

The six-year-old has been beaten just once in five career starts, his sole loss being a second-placed run in a Cheltenham bumper in October.

After that the gelding made a seamless transition to hurdling, winning his debut at Uttoxeter before going on to land an Aintree novice by eight lengths from subsequent wide-margin winner Etalon.

Next came a Southwell novices’ hurdle on Sunday, a race in which Murphy’s charge cantered home to win by an easy 15 lengths under a penalty.

Strong Leader holds an entry for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and could head there next, but Murphy has an alternative plan that involves targeting the Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle at Kempton and then aiming for Aintree instead.

Strong Leader (left) at
Strong Leader (left) at Aintree (Nigel French/PA)

“He came out of his run well, we haven’t quite decided what we’re going to do,” he said.

“We’ll either go to the Dovecote and go to Aintree, or go straight to the Supreme.

“It’s just a little bit frustrating that he hasn’t gone up in grade at any point, just to dip our toe in the water and see where we are.

“There haven’t been options for him and he’s a horse who doesn’t want heavy ground, so that’s limited were we’ve been able to go, It is what is is and it’s the way the programme book works over here.

“The form has all worked out well, albeit I’d have loved to have run him in a graded race before going to Cheltenham, if that’s where we’re going to go, but he’s gained some more experience and he looks to be progressing nicely.”

Hills planning dual assault on Turf Sprint prize

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Charlie Hills’ stable stalwart Pogo will be joined by Garrus in the Group Three 1351 Turf Sprint at the Saudi Cup meeting on February 25.

The seven-year-old entire Pogo was ultra-consistent last season, winning two Group Threes as well as the Group Two Challenge Stakes in October, booking his ticket to the Breeders’ Cup.

A seven-furlong specialist, he ran over a mile at Keeneland but will be back over his favourite trip in Saudi Arabia in a race in which he finished fifth 12 months ago.

“Both horses are in great form and I couldn’t be much happier with them,” said Hills. “The plan has always been to start both in the race in Saudi and I’m really looking forward to running them as they seem in really rude health.

“He (Pogo) was absolutely brilliant last year and kept a really solid level of form the whole way through the campaign.

“I’ve always believed he was a really good horse, as he’s always shown that at home and it’s great that he’s translated his work on the gallops to the track. He’s got a great constitution, takes his racing really well, and just didn’t stop improving.

“Some horses just take a bit longer to develop and he might be one of those. He’s a real trier and there’s no doubt that last season showed he’s improved as he’s got older.

“The track and trip should really play to his strengths out there. He loves fast ground and hopefully this year’s race will be run a bit more to suit. We’ll probably ride him a touch more patiently this time and with any luck he’ll be bang there.”

Garrus is heading out to Saudi Arabia with Pogo
Garrus is heading out to Saudi Arabia with Pogo (John Walton/PA)

Garrus was beaten a length into third by Highfield Princess in the Prix Maurice de Gheest but only ran once afterwards, when well beaten on Champions Day.

“The trip and track should really suit him,” Hills said. “We’ve been really pleased with his run-up to the race, and it looks a really good place to start him off this year.

“The prize money is so good out there and given it’s a race we think should play to his strengths, we’ve had it lined up for a while for him.”

Longsdon sets out Sidney Banks assignment for Rare Edition

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Charlie Longsdon’s unbeaten hurdler Rare Edition will head next for the Urban Logistics Reit Sidney Banks Memorial Novices’ Hurdle at Huntingdon.

The six-year-old was placed behind good horses in two point-to-points in Ireland, with Saint Davy and Kalanisi Star finishing ahead of him before going on to impress in their own early careers.

In a sole bumper start Rare Edition was a two-length winner, after which he transitioned to hurdling and has won three consecutive novices by a combined 27 and a half lengths.

A step up in grade and trip for the Listed Sidney Banks now awaits on February 9, with the gelding then holding entries for both the Supreme and Ballymore Novices’ Hurdles at the Cheltenham Festival.

“The plan is the Huntingdon race, the Sidney Banks, then we will have to go from there,” Longsdon said.

“He seems very well in himself, he jumped on Monday and worked on Tuesday morning. The plan will be to go there and take it from that race onward.”

Longsdon also provided an update on Tea For Free and Lilly Pinchin after their heavy fall at Doncaster in the Sky Bet Chase.

The combination started as 3-1 joint-favourites for the big handicap and were in contention up the home straight, but a fall at the second-last saw them crash out of the race and looked nasty for both horse and rider.

Pinchin sustained a broken collarbone as a result and faces several weeks on the sidelines, whereas Tea For Free will sit out the remainder of the season as he is given time to recover from the affects of the fall.

“Tea For Free is fine, he’s on box rest for a while as he ruptured some ligaments in a hind leg, but that should be fine for next season,” Longsdon said.

Tea For Free suffered a fall at Doncaster
Tea For Free suffered a fall at Doncaster (Nigel French/PA)

“I did think he was a goner but thankfully he’s OK, which is the main thing, and should be back next season.

“Lilly has done her collarbone, she tells me two weeks but I think it could be longer than that. She’s very tough!”

Muir waiting on scan results following Pyledriver setback

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William Muir faces an anxious wait for the scan results which could determine the future of his stable star Pyledriver following a new setback.

The six-year-old was last seen galloping to King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes glory at Ascot last summer, having since missed out on a tilt at the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe through injury.

The long road to recovery was set to lead to a trip to Meydan for another crack at the Dubai Sheema Classic, in which he finished an unlucky fourth in last year, but a fresh problem has curtailed that plan – as well as an intended prep race in the Winter Derby at Lingfield on February 25.

“When he pulled up after a piece of work he was a tiny bit off on his near-fore,” said Muir, who trains in partnership with Chris Grassick.

“He’s such a lovely individual who is never short or anything and we’ve just got to wait to get all the scans done and taken before we can say what we’re doing.

“I’ve spoke to the owners and I spoke to the vet and he said ‘I would forget the Winter Derby’.

“We would have been there no problem at all and the way he was going I know he hasn’t lost anything – he was in very good form.

“That is very disappointing, but we have to do what is right for the horse and we have to find out what it is.

“It’s minute, a lot of people would look at him and say he’s fine but I know him like the back of my hand and I know he was not right. When he pulled up yesterday the lad who rides him all the time said ‘Boss he just didn’t feel quite right’ and he just looks slightly off.”

With his Lingfield return off the table, Muir has also shelved plans for a return to Dubai on World Cup night and is now just hoping to receive positive news about a horse that he describes as a “special part of my life”.

“There’s no point, I’m not going to go straight there (Dubai),” continued Muir. “Those two races are gone and we basically have to see what the results tell us.

“If it is something we can cure and look after and get him 100 per cent where he’s not lost any ability then we will carry on. If we find it is something worse than that then we will have to deal with it and go on and make him a stallion somewhere.

Jockey PJ McDonald (right) celebrates on Pyledriver after winning the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes at Ascot
Jockey PJ McDonald (right) celebrates on Pyledriver after winning the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes at Ascot (John Walton/PA)

“To me there is a lot of countries in the world who would love a horse like this because he’s a lovely looking individual and he’s been a fantastic racehorse with a very high rating.

“That’s the furthest thought in my mind, but I’m trying to prepare myself for it because if that is the case, then that is the case. I’m hoping we get the results back in the next few days and it says this, this and this and we can manage it fine.

“The only thing though is that comes first is the horse – that is the reason we’ll wait. You have to do what is right for these animals.

“He has been one of the best things in my training career and a special part of my life, but it doesn’t matter if it was him or the horse running at Southwell on Tuesday night, you’ve always got to do what is right for the horses.”

Henderson ‘very happy’ with Shishkin and has sights set on Ascot

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Shishkin came through a workout on Tuesday which enabled Nicky Henderson to continue aiming towards the Betfair Ascot Chase on February 18.

So brilliant at his best over two miles, the nine-year-old will be racing over the longest trip he has encountered since his point-to-point days.

Since pulling up in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham in March, he returned to action when only third behind Edwardstone in the Tingle Creek.

Henderson stated he was keen to step him up in trip and that was due to be in the Silvinaco Conti Chase at Kempton – but Shishkin “flipped his palate” causing him to have a minor procedure, with Ascot then his next option.

Nicky Henderson has given Shishkin the green light for Ascot
Nicky Henderson has given Shishkin the green light for Ascot (David Davies/PA)

“Shishkin worked this morning. We were all very happy with him and he is on schedule for the Betfair Ascot Chase,” said Henderson.

“The step up in trip is not even a question mark for me, it is an absolute necessity, and consequently we did not even enter him for the Champion Chase.

“You would like to think that this could take you on to the Ryanair Chase, although we also put him in the Gold Cup as we have come to the firm conclusion that he is a stayer, but we will see.”

Taking him on will be last year’s winner, Joseph O’Brien’s Fakir D’oudairies, last seen winning in slightly fortunate circumstances at Thurles.

Fakir D’Oudairies (right) leads Two For Gold over the final fence in last year's race
Fakir D’oudairies (right) leads Two For Gold over the final fence in last year’s race (Simon Marper/PA)

“Fakir D’oudairies is an intended runner in the Betfair Ascot Chase,” said O’Brien.

“We were very pleased with how his prep went in Thurles. It was a very hot race and should hopefully set him up for another successful spring campaign.

“He has been around for a while and has achieved a lot already, but he is not an old horse by any means and I see no reason why he can’t have another good end to this season at least.”

A total of 13 have been entered for the Grade One, including Paul Nicholls’ improving Pic D’Orhy and stablemate Hitman.

Fanion D’Estruval, last year’s second Two For Gold, Paint The Dream and First Gold are all in the mix.

Lingfield defeat spells end of Goshen’s chasing hopes

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There was no joy for Goshen at Lingfield on Tuesday as his second run over fences ended in disappointment.

One of only three runners going to post for the At The Races App Market Movers Beginners’ Chase, Gary Moore’s seven-year-old was the first beat and trailed home 22-legths adrift of Paul Nicholls’ Quel Destin (8-1), who edged out Venetia Williams’ Christopher Wood in the hands of Bryony Frost.

It was a similar story to his chasing debut at Ascot for the 4-6 favourite, who failed to warm to the task of jumping fences while his cause was not helped by racing on ground quicker than his optimum.

Racing left-handed was also not in Goshen’s favour as his two rivals set out to claim the scalp of the popular son of Authorised and his handler confirmed the defeat would probably signal the end of the chasing experiment.

“The ground was too quick and they went out to get him beat,” said Moore.

“They got him beat because they went quite hard and round here today, you needed to be on the front end because the ground is pretty quick.

“I would say that’s probably it now (for fences). At least I know now that we don’t really think he’s a chaser, so we’ll stick to hurdles.”

There was better luck for the Moore family when Teddy Blue survived flattening the final flight to get on the scoresheet in the Download The At The Races App Maiden Hurdle.

Third in the Gerry Feilden behind First Street at Newbury previously, a return to the Berkshire track could now be on the cards for the Betfair Hurdle on February 11.

“What he beat I don’t know, but he’s done it and done it all right,” continued Moore.

“He needed to win to get in the Betfair Hurdle and hopefully that gets him in – but he will have to improve on what he did today.”

Issar D’Airy then made it a double on the day for Jamie and Gary Moore when taking the At The Races App Expert Tips Handicap Hurdle as the 9-4 favourite.

Cobden ‘ban’ for winning ride leads Nicholls to call for new whip rules to be delayed

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Multiple champion trainer Paul Nicholls has called for the introduction of the new whip rules to be delayed until after the major spring festivals.

Nicholls took to social media to condemn the proposed new regulations after it was suggested his stable jockey Harry Cobden would have picked up a 24-day ban for his winning ride on Il Ridoto at Cheltenham on Saturday.

The same was also said of Sean Bowen, currently second in the jockeys’ championship behind Brian Hughes, for his successful ride on Back On The Lash in the Cross Country Chase.

The new rules are due to come into force on February 13. Jockeys are currently riding within a ‘bedding-in’ period where the current regulations apply for sanctions purposes, but riders are being advised if they would have breached the new rules.

Nicholls tweeted: “Two fantastic top rides. How they can get bans is beyond me. Cobden excelled on Il Ridoto. This all needs postponing until after the spring festivals otherwise this is all going to be a disaster for the sport. For once common sense needs to prevail.”

Cobden confirmed on Nick Luck’s Daily Podcast that he had fallen foul of the new rule concerning using the whip over shoulder height.

He said: “I went into the stewards’ room and they froze the images of the replay where they thought my hand was over shoulder height on three of the hits.

“You could clearly see that I was in breach of the rule, my hand was ever so slightly over and I was told that I would get eight days for each hit. Because it was a class one race that it was why it was eight days rather than four, so I would have come out of the race with a 24-day ban.”

Il Ridoto and Harry Cobden (right) on their way to victory on Saturday
Il Ridoto and Harry Cobden (right) on their way to victory on Saturday (David Davies/PA)

He went on: “I’ve always ridden like this, I’ve never been called in for over shoulder height before. Before Saturday I hadn’t ridden for 12 days, so had missed a lot of the bedding-in period.

“It’s difficult, we’re all trying but I think that rule definitely needs to be tweaked.

“We’re happy with the penalty structure, the numbers we are fine with, the only rule we have an issue with, and the one that keeps popping up, is the over shoulder height, so I think we need to change the wording or do something about it.

“I don’t think lessening the penalties will work as jockeys will still get banned. Somehow we need to change the wording of that rule. If it looks forceful then fair enough, but if you are riding a horse like I rode Il Ridoto, nobody sees anything wrong with that and I think it’s unfair to get 24 days for one ride.

“If your arm is straight up then that is not right, but if your hand is a couple of inches above and it doesn’t look out of place, I don’t think it should be a problem.”

The British Horseracing Authority, however, underlined the stewards are not responsible for the length of the bans as that will fall under the remit of the Whip Review Committee that will regularly meet on Tuesdays.

On its Twitter account, the said: “The BHA is aware of information being posted on social media speculating about potential ‘suspensions’ under the new whip rules. Please note this information is not accurate as the Whip Review Committee have not yet met this week to consider the rides in the period 16 – 29 Jan.

“Also, a reminder that no suspensions are being imposed at present. The purpose of the bedding-in period is to provide riders with information as to where adaptations to riding style might be needed ahead of full implementation of the rules on 13 Feb.”

A previously scheduled meeting will take place in the coming days between the BHA, Professional Jockeys Association and trainers and jockeys as part of the ongoing discussion surrounding the new rules, but not on the back of the fallout of last weekend’s racing.

Honeysuckle and State Man set for Leopardstown clash

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Honeysuckle, State Man and Vauban all feature among six confirmations for Sunday’s Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown.

After Honeysuckle met with the first defeat of her career last time out in the Hatton’s Grace at Fairyhouse, in all likelihood it will be the first time she has not been sent off favourite since the 2020 Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham, when she beat Benie Des Dieux.

Ahead of her in the ante-post betting is Willie Mullins’ State Man, who has progressed from victory in last term’s County Hurdle to win two Grade Ones already this season, landing the Morgiana and Matheson Hurdles.

State Man held off his Willie Mullins stablemate Vauban at Christmas and the champion trainer is happy for them both to meet again in an attempt to prevent a fourth successive victory for Henry de Bromhead’s mare.

Mullins said: “It’s going to be a hell of a race.

“Honeysuckle, I thought, ran very well (in the Hatton’s Grace). A lot of people castigated her for her run in Fairyhouse but I thought it was a great run against that class of horse. She’ll be hard to beat.

“We’ll be doing our best with State Man and Vauban, both ran crackers at Christmas.

“I keep saying he’s (Vauban) only five and he is, though it’s hard for those sort of horses to improve.

“Both of them have pleased me since and we’re looking forward to see if we can take on Kenny Alexander’s Honeysuckle. It’s going to be a very good race, anyhow.”

State Man has emerged as a top-class hurdler this season
State Man has emerged as a top-class hurdler this season (Niall Carson/PA)

The Gordon Elliott duo of Pied Piper and Zanahiyr and Tom Mullins’ outsider Takarengo complete the list.

Only five remain in the Ladbrokes Dublin Chase over two miles, where Mullins’ Blue Lord will aim to follow up his win at Christmas and cement his Champion Chase claims.

Sceau Royal, a rare British raider, Dunvegan, Gentleman De Mee and Fastorslow are also engaged.

There are nine left in the Tattersalls Ireland Novices Hurdle over two miles, in which Mullins has another enviable hand.

Facile Vega, Dark Raven, Gaelic Warrior and Il Etait Temps could all run for the champion trainer.

Elliott has American Mike and Irish Point to chose from while De Bromhead’s unbeaten Inthepocket, Joseph O’Brien’s one-time Derby favourite High Definition and Oliver McKiernan’s No Looking Back add further strength in depth.

The Ladbrokes Novice Chase over two miles and five furlongs has a competitive look to it with 13 left in.

Mullins holds another strong hand with El Fabiolo, Gaillard Du Mesnil, Glengouly, James Du Berlais and Kilcruit among his team, but Elliott should offer stern resistance with Gerri Colombe, Mighty Potter and Fil Dor still in.