Flooring Porter aiming for Aintree redemption

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Flooring Porter is being prepared for a return to Aintree next month after coming up short in his bid for a Stayers’ Hurdle hat-trick at the Cheltenham Festival.

The eight-year-old was a brilliant winner at Prestbury Park in both 2021 and 2022 but endured an interrupted preparation ahead of his return due to a post-Christmas setback.

Trainer Gavin Cromwell stated in mid-January that his Cheltenham hopes were “hanging in the balance” and he was no better than “50-50” to make the trip to the Cotswolds.

Flooring Porter was ultimately deemed fit enough to defend his Stayers’ Hurdle crown, but after adopting his customary pacesetting role for much of the three-mile contest, he weakened in the home straight and had to make do with a gallant fourth.

Gavin Cromwell was pleased with Flooring Porter's performance in defeat at Cheltenham
Gavin Cromwell was pleased with Flooring Porter’s performance in defeat at Cheltenham (David Davies/PA)

Cromwell was proud of his stable star’s performance in defeat, though, and is now targeting a second tilt at Aintree’s Grade One Liverpool Hurdle on Grand National day – a race in which he finished second to this year’s surprise Stayers’ Hurdle winner Sire Du Berlais last April.

“All is good with Flooring Porter – he came out of Cheltenham fine, which is obviously the main thing,” said the trainer.

“I suppose, considering he missed a bit of work, he ran well (at Cheltenham). He was beaten three and a half lengths, hopefully he’ll come on for it and we’ll take the positives out of it.

“We’ve a bit of extra time between Cheltenham and Aintree this year, which is also a help – we’ve a week more than last year.

“Hopefully we can build on Cheltenham – we might be on an upward curve.”

While Cromwell failed to add to his tally at this Festival, Flooring Porter was one of a number of horses to perform creditably.

Stumptown was beaten just a neck after being sent off favourite for the Kim Muir, while Final Orders finished fifth in his bid for a sixth successive win in the Grand Annual.

Letsbeclearaboutit was another Cromwell inmate to shape with promise, passing the post a close-up fourth in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle.

Cromwell added: “Final Orders didn’t really handle the ground and, all things considered, he ran a good enough race. We have him entered in the Topham at Aintree and that’s definitely a possibility.

“Stumptown ran a cracker and there were no excuses or hard-luck stories, he just bumped into one on the day and that’s it.

“I think we’ll probably look at the Irish Grand National with him. I know Easter comes quite soon, which is not ideal, but he has come out of Cheltenham well and it’s certainly a big possibility.

“Letsbeclearaboutit was too keen all the way in the Albert Bartlett and ran very well considering. If he had of settled, I think he would have finished closer.

“There’s two-and-a-half and three-mile novice hurdles for him in Aintree and there is also a race for him in Fairyhouse. I’m not sure where we’re going to go yet, but hopefully he’ll be running at some of the spring Festivals.”

Cairo taking Mendelssohn route to possible Kentucky challenge

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Should Aidan O’Brien’s Cairo emulate Mendelssohn in winning the UAE Derby on Saturday, Kentucky could be his next port of call.

Mendelssohn absolutely destroyed the field in 2018, winning by 18 and a half lengths, showing the dirt surface to be no problem, yet his experience in the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs was not a happy one.

Bumped on leaving the stalls, and again soon after, his race was effectively over after a furlong and he trailed in last of 20 behind Justify, who would go on to lift the Triple Crown.

O’Brien has not been put off, however, and given Cairo won the same Listed race at Dundalk prior to the UAE Derby, the Ballydoyle handler is treading a familiar path.

“Cairo is a powerful-looking horse. We’ve been very happy with him through the winter and we were very happy with him when he won at Dundalk,” said O’Brien.

“Obviously, he’s going over a bit further than he has run before and of course it’s a different surface, but we’re happy with him and Pat (Keating, travelling head lad) has been very happy with him since he’s been out there. We’re hopeful.

“Mendelssohn was by Scat Daddy, this horse is by Quality Road and some of his do go on the dirt I suppose.

“Of course there’s a chance he could go to the Kentucky Derby after this, but we’d have to see how he runs. There’s a good chance, we’ll just see what happens first.”

Broome won the Hardwicke at Royal Ascot last year
Broome won the Hardwicke at Royal Ascot last year (David Davies/PA)

O’Brien also runs two well-established Ballydoyle inmates. Broome steps up for just a second crack at two miles in the Dubai Gold Cup while Order Of Australia runs in the Dubai Turf having won in Qatar last time out.

“We think the trip might suit Broome, we think the good ground might suit him and he had a good run the last day in Qatar when he last ran,” said O’Brien.

“We think and hope that he should run a good race.

“Order Of Australia won his last start in Qatar and he’s in good form.

“Obviously this is a furlong longer, but we’re very happy with him and hopefully he’ll run well.

“He’s done lots of travelling, he loves it and is very professional.”

Rebel with a cause – Appleby backing Romance to star on Meydan card

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Charlie Appleby labelled global traveller Rebel’s Romance as the horse best equipped to bring his A-game to the big stage in Saturday’s Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan.

Rebel’s Romance put together a five-race unbeaten sequence in 2022 that culminated in victory over Stone Age in the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Keeneland.

The five-year-old also triumphed in Listed and Group Three company in Britain and in two German Group Ones at Hoppegarten and Cologne.

Rebel’s Romance had to miss his intended prep race in the Dubai City Of Gold earlier this month, but Appleby is confident he is firing on all cylinders ahead of his Group One assignment,

Appleby said: “Rebel’s Romance is the most impressive horse on the night, just look at his record. He knows how to perform on the big stage and his last three starts were all won impressively in strong fields.

“He is suited by a flat, conventional track as he’s a big, galloping horse. He’s certainly one we could head back to America with.

“He had a minor setback which happened for a reason, and rather than get sucked into running him on Super Saturday we gave him a spin on the turf course.”

Appleby holds a typically strong hand across World Cup night, fielding two contenders in the Dubai Turf over nine furlongs.

Master Of The Seas is one of two Dubai Turf runners for Appleby
Master Of The Seas is one of two Dubai Turf runners for Appleby (David Davies/PA)

Master Of The Seas was a fast-finishing third in the Jebel Hatta on his most recent run, while Nations Pride was a Group Two winner last month over 10 furlongs.

The Godolphin handler said: “Master Of The Seas is strong in mind and body and was a bit unlucky on his last start.

“He’s come out of it well, and remembering he finished second in the Guineas there is no doubting his ability, while James Doyle knows him.

“The nine furlongs puts a bit more of a challenge on Nations Pride, but if there’s a gallop it will assist him. I’m aware that the draw (stalls 10 and 16) for both horses could have been better.”

Siskany is favourite for the Dubai Gold Cup
Siskany is favourite for the Dubai Gold Cup (Alan Crowhurst/PA)

Siskany is the ante-post favourite for the Dubai Gold Cup after winning a Group Three on his Meydan return and he is joined by Global Storm in the two-mile contest.

Appleby said: “Siskany comes into the Gold Cup on the back of a nice win. He has a gear change and a turn of foot. It looks like there will be a pace angle, which is good for him.

“Global Storm finished third in the City Of Gold after Rebel’s Romance skipped the race with a setback.”

At the other end of the distance scale, Al Suhail contests the Al Quoz Sprint over six furlongs on the back of two Meydan wins this winter.

Appleby added: “Al Suhail is a six-year-old that is getting older but stronger. He has a good racing mind, is in great shape and thinks he’s King Kong.

“His draw in eight is a concern, and we will try to get a tow into the race.”

Williams looking to Moviddy to make Grade Two leap at Newbury

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Noel Williams’ Moviddy looks to continue her ascent in the British EBF BetVictor ‘National Hunt’ Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Newbury on Saturday.

The seven-year-old made her hurdling debut at Exeter in November, finishing third behind two subsequent winners in Annie Magic and Lutinebella.

In February she took a Lingfield maiden by nine and a half lengths before heading to Doncaster to finish a close second to the reopposing Ilovethenightlife in a novice run over a trip just short of two and a half miles.

This weekend’s distance is therefore proven and Williams is hopeful that the going will provide no issues, either, with conditions expected to be fairly testing after heavy midweek rain.

“She’s just done nothing but improve all season, she had a long break after her race at Exeter in November as we had a few little issues, but since then she’s done nothing but improve,” he said.

“She feels like she’s come on again for Doncaster, she ran a mighty race but she had to cut out her own running really, which wasn’t ideal.

“I think a competitive handicap around Newbury will suit her down to the ground, provided she handles what I would imagine will be very soft ground, which I think she will.

“I’d be hopeful she can run a very good race, I think the conditions of the race and the way it will be run should really suit her.”

He added: “We like her a lot, she’s exceeded the expectations we had before the start of the season and she’s kept on improving, so we’re hoping she’ll show up very well.”

Moviddy is owned by Noel Fehily Racing Syndicates, who have a second runner in the contest with Dan Skelton’s Royale Dance – an Irish point-to-point winner who has not been out of the first two in a bumper and three hurdles since.

Mark Walford’s Ruby Island lines up after a successful campaign so far, placing in two bumpers, included a Listed Cheltenham event, before winning her first two starts over hurdles decisively.

Taking an Ayr maiden by seven and a half lengths on hurdles debut, the chestnut was then a five-length winner of a Wetherby novice before stepping up in trip to go down by just a neck to a good filly last time out.

This represents a stiffer task at Grade Two level, but hopes are high.

“We were pleased with her run at Ayr. If things had gone differently she would have won, but she wandered up the run in and missed the last,” Walford said.

“She still finished well, we’ve put some cheekpieces on for Saturday and we’re hopeful of a good run.

“The ground will be a bit of an unknown, but she’s in good form and we’re expecting her to go well.

“With 18 runners they should go a good pace, which will suit her well – she seems like a strong stayer. She’s been very efficient over her hurdles, she just missed the last at Ayr but you can forgive her for that.

“It’s exciting to have a runner in a Grade Two going in with a chance. We were in here and in at Kelso and we thought we’d take a chance, it’s not often you’d be nearly favourite in a Grade Two, so we’re looking forward to it.”

Ilovethenightlife lines up at Newbury
Ilovethenightlife lines up at Newbury (Mike Egerton/PA)

Ilovethenightlife is among the leading lights, along with Aubis Walk, Lets Go To Vegas, Blue Beach and Energy One.

There is a valuable National Hunt Flat contest on the same card in the Goffs UK Spring Sale Bumper, open to horses sold through the sponsor’s 2022 Spring Sale and worth £100,000 in prize-money.

Paul Nicholls has a contender in Summer Brise, a Kapgarde filly who was the fifth most expensive lot at the sale when changing hands for £110,000.

The trainer told Betfair: “She’s an attractive four-year-old filly who does everything nicely at home without setting the world on fire.

“While she is ready to start, I’d say she is bound to improve for the experience and will be better and stronger in a year’s time.”

O’Brien pointing to Irish Guineas with Al Riffa

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Joseph O’Brien is excited about what Al Riffa may go on to achieve this year given his Group One-winning exploits as a juvenile.

The Wootton Bassett colt stepped up from winning a maiden in July before before being supplemented for the National Stakes where he beat Proud And Regal, trained by O’Brien’s brother Donnacha, and who went on to win his own Group One in France at the end of the season.

O’Brien is aiming him at the Irish 2,000 Guineas in the first half of the season but whether he takes in a trial first has still to be decided.

“For a horse that looks and is very much bred to be a better three-year-old, you’d have to be really excited by him,” said O’Brien in a stable tour for www.attheraces.com.

“Everything has gone smoothly with him so far this year and he’s in really good shape. We aren’t in a rush with him, and the Irish 2,000 Guineas is his first main target.

“He will most likely to go straight there, but we won’t rule out the possibility of running in a trial just yet. He has always shown a lot of pace at home and in his races, but he should have a good chance of staying a mile and a quarter later in the season if we ask him to.

“He’s a hugely exciting horse for this year. He really could be anything.”

Others mentioned by O’Brien among his Classic crop are Thornbrook and Caroline Street, who should reappear in Guineas trials, while Lumiere Rock is likely to start off in an Oaks Trial.

O’Brien is well stocked among his older horses who need middle distances, however, several are currently in Australia with targets in the coming weeks.

They include Chester Cup winner Cleveland, Baron Samedi, Raise You, Statement and Temple Of Artemis.

Above The Curve (centre) remains in training as a four-year-old
Above The Curve (centre) remains in training as a four-year-old (Donall Farmer/PA)

Prix Saint-Alary winner Above The Curve has remained in training and is one O’Brien expects to improve from three to four.

He said: “I’d say she’ll start off in something like the Alleged Stakes at the Curragh on April 16 and we have a bunch of international options as possibles for her after that, both in Europe and potentially further afield.”

A dark horse for the year may be Buckaroo. He has not run since disappointing in the Irish Guineas when he came back sick but O’Brien retains faith.

“He’s a big, rangy colt that was always going to improve with time and it’s great to have him back on the team. We aren’t decided on his starting point just yet, but we’re in a great place with him. He could be one for the Prix d’Ispahan at ParisLongchamp in May,” he said.

Mooneista (right) is now with Joseph O'Brien
Mooneista (right) is now with Joseph O’Brien (Brian Lawless/PA)

O’Brien has also taken care of a couple of new recruits, Mooneista, bought out of Jack Davison’s yard for 850,000 guineas and Jumbly, a Group Three winner on her final outing for Harry and Roger Charlton.

Of Mooneista, O’Brien said: “This is a mare that Jack Davison did a very good job with for the last few years. She changed hands at the sales late last year and we were thrilled to be asked to train her for her new connections.

“She ran a great race to finish fourth in the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot last year and that is the meeting we are aiming her towards.

“Jumbly is a filly with a really nice profile that joined us late last year. She has settled in really well and is going very nicely. We aren’t decided on a starting point yet, but the Duke of Cambridge Stakes at Royal Ascot is where we’d like to end up with her. She is an exciting filly.”

Longhouse Poet primed for repeat of National service

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After two near-misses at Cheltenham last week, trainer Martin Brassil could do with a change of luck as he prepares Longhouse Poet for another run in the Randox Grand National next month.

Having his first try over the unique spruce-topped fences in last year’s renewal, he travelled strongly and was still in with a chance two out before fading to sixth under Darragh O’Keeffe.

A general 20-1 chance for the race this time, he is on an unchanged rating of 155 and is currently due to carry 4lb less than last year’s 11st for his return in the Liverpool spectacular.

The nine-year-old has had his chase mark protected by running over hurdles this term and he was quick enough to land a two-and-a-half-mile handicap at Limerick on Boxing Day.

Though he unseated JJ Slevin at the first obstacle on his return to fences in the Bobbjo Chase at Fairyhouse, he showed his well-being with victory over Roi Mage over three and a quarter miles at Down Royal last Friday.

Brassil feels that prep run will bring him on and said: “He came out of the race great and we are really looking forward to Aintree with him.

“He just did a bit too much in the race last year. He over-raced a bit.

“It was his first time there and he was very exuberant. He is such a good jumper, he was making ground over the fences and Darragh (O’Keeffe) was inclined to let him enjoy it.

“He needed to have a little quiet time at some stage in the race, to slot in behind a few. He did all the donkey work, really.”

Brassil is hopeful Slevin will be able to take the ride this time, but is anxiously awaiting the outcome of a possible totting-up suspension for the rider.

He explained: “JJ Slevin will ride hopefully. He is not sure yet because he got an eight-day ban for An Epic Song and he got three the other day for something else.

“So he is having a look at that and hasn’t yet come back to me to tell me what’s the story. I haven’t got anyone else in mind, though.”

Though hopeful of another big run, dangers abound and Brassil, who won the National with Numbersixvalverde 17 years ago, thinks there are some well-handicapped horses in opposition.

He added: “You can never be confident in the National. The horse who beat Fastorslow at Cheltenham (Corach Rambler) seems to be fired in on his form and has no weight.

“Roi Mage has a nice weight too and that grey horse of Gavin Cromwell’s (Vanillier), he is nicely-in, too – he’s a nice staying type of horse.”

Martin Brassil hoping for another big Aintree run
Martin Brassil hoping for another big Aintree run (Julien Behal/PA)

For the Kildare handler it was a case of so near but yet so far at Cheltenham, with Fastorslow beaten a neck in the Ultima and An Epic Song downed by Langer Dan in the Coral Cup, a head separating the pair.

“Even if one of them won it would have been great,” said Brassil. “It was a great meeting, but I felt a bit sorry for Fastorslow, as the winner got the ride of the meeting, I’d say.

“It happened right for that horse in particular, but if we’d have got to the front a bit sooner, we might have beaten him.

“He’s come home great from it and we are very happy with him.

“There are no plans for Aintree, but Punchestown maybe. There will be something for him anyway, although I haven’t looked at it yet.”

An Epic Song, who was equipped with cheekpieces for the first time, may be held back for a novice chasing campaign next season, should the ground firm up.

Brassil added: “We were thrilled with his run, but I think the winner was laid out for the race, because he had a bit of bad luck the last couple of years. He ran into a machine the first time (in Galopin Des Champs) and then he was brought down the following year. I’d say they had the plan for that.

“The cheekpieces seemed to work, but the ground on the slow side helped him more than anything, He is very ground dependent.

“We have to wait and see what the ground is, but he will probably go chasing in the autumn.”

Quinlan gains little consolation after Sedgefield favourite woe

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Sean Quinlan suffered mixed fortunes at Sedgefield on Thursday, with the rider registering a winner after being dramatically unseated in the opening event.

While Blue Hawaii made no mistakes in the JTC Pizzalicious Handicap Chase, it was a different story with Telhimlisten in the Follows Us @vickers.Bet Novices’ Handicap Chase.

The Jennie Candlish-trained runner was sent off the 2-9 favourite for the two-runner event and victory looked a formality as Quinlan’s mount was well clear approaching the final obstacle in the two-mile-one-furlong affair.

However, despite jumping the final fence with no issue, the horse edged left running away from the fence, with Quinlan caught off balance and being unseated out of the side door.

That left Grey Skies to come home alone as a 100-30 winner, much to Quinlan’s dismay.

He told Sky Sports Racing: “I’ve had a winner but that won’t make up for what happened in the first.

“He’s gone to pop it and for some reason two strides after he’s jinked left. He got in tight and I was quite happy with the way he jumped it, but I was just going forward to get him away from the fence and as I’ve gone forward, he’s gone left and my balance has gone.”

Auguste Rodin set to stretch his legs after racing at the Curragh

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Racegoers at the Curragh on Saturday could be in for an extra treat with the possibility of Aidan O’Brien’s 2000 Guineas and Derby favourite Auguste Rodin exercising after racing.

A high-profile string from Ballydoyle tends to head to Irish Flat racing’s Headquarters on the opening day to stretch their legs away from home.

While the gallop is never too strenuous, for those on hand to witness it there is the very real chance of a future Classic winner being on show.

Auguste Rodin currently heads the betting for both the Guineas and the Derby having won three of his four starts at two, including the Vertem Futurity Trophy at Doncaster.

Little Big Bear was one of last season's best juveniles
Little Big Bear was one of last season’s best juveniles (Lorraine O’Sullivan/PA)

Stablemate Little Big Bear is next in the betting for the Guineas. He was beaten a short head on his debut but won his next four including the Phoenix Stakes by seven lengths. A minor setback prevented him from running again.

“Little Big Bear and Auguste Rodin are good, everything has been good so far anyhow,” said O’Brien.

“We’re not sure if either will run in a trial, they are going to go to the Curragh on Saturday maybe for a canter around, and we’ll see about them after that.

“It’s probably the same for the fillies, Meditate and Statuette.”

Burke steps up for Il Est Francais ride

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Jonathan Burke will head to Auteuil on Sunday for the plum ride on exciting prospect Il Est Francais, who continues his French Champion Hurdle preparation.

The Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm-trained five-year-old is already a Grade One winner and is unbeaten in five attempts over hurdles.

With regular partner James Reveley sidelined with a broken leg, Felix de Giles came in for the ride on the gelding when he won by a length and a half from Kapteen earlier this month, who renews rivalry.

Il Est Francais is set to take on six rivals, who include Arnaud Chaille-Chaille’s crack hurdler Theleme, in the Prix Hypothese, a Grade Three contest over an extended two and a half miles.

Going two furlongs further than when landing the Grade Three Prix Juigne at the same track, George is anticipating it will be a tough assignment.

He said: “He is running and Johnny Burke is coming over to ride him. I just thought we should give him another run.

“He has come on a lot for his comeback run. We are taking on Theleme, who is one of the best hurdlers in France, so it is not going to be an easy task, although he’s got to give us four kilos as well, so hopefully we can keep our unbeaten record.

“But the main objective is in May (French Champion Hurdle).”

Il Est Francais, winner of the Grade One Prix Renaud du Vivier at Auteuil in November, could represent owners Richard Kelvin-Hughes and Haras De Saint-Voir at the Cheltenham Festival next year, should he progress as hoped.

Yet George and Swedish-born Zetterholm, who owns the yard at Avilly Saint-Leonard on the outskirts of Chantilly, are taking it one race at a time with the strapping gelding who takes a bit of work in order to get him cherry-ripe.

George added: “He might have another run before the French Champion Hurdle after this. We will see how he comes out of it.

“To be honest, he is not easy to get 100 per cent fit, because in the morning there are not many who can go with him.

“It is quite nice to get a few runs into him before the big race, but we will see. He is a nice horse.”

British race-fans won’t have to wait too much longer before finally getting to see Il Est Francais in the flesh.

“Hopefully he will be in England in autumn when we go novice chasing,” said George.

“He will probably run in a French chase first and then maybe come over at Christmas-time, for something at Kempton or something like that.

“Hopefully we will be at Cheltenham next year for a novice chase I think.”

Dashel Drasher team lodge Stayers’ Hurdle appeal

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Connections of Dashel Drasher have lodged an appeal in a bid to overturn their demotion to third in the Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Jeremy Scott’s durable stable stalwart almost pulled off a shock in the day three feature, leading at the final flight before being reeled in by Sire Des Berlais in a thrilling three-way finish – beaten three-quarters of a length with a further neck back to Teahupoo in third.

However, Dashel Drasher’s rider Rex Dingle allowed his mount to drift slightly left at the final flight and was adjudged by the stewards to have caused sufficient interference to deny Gordon Elliott’s 9-4 favourite second spot.

The Holworthy Farm handler left Prestbury Park frustrated but proud of the 10-year-old, who is currently recharging his batteries ahead of further endeavours this spring.

“We have lodged an appeal,” confirmed Scott.

“He’s all good, he’s come out of the race really well and options are open – it would be nice to get another run out of him this season.

“I felt if we had a slightly better preparation, he could have ran even better (in the Stayers’), but he did us proud and he did outstandingly well.”

Options for that further outing include Aintree’s Liverpool Hurdle (April 15) and the Ladbrokes Champion Stayers’ Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival (April 27) and while a trip to Merseyside could come too soon for Scott’s stable stalwart, it would open up the possibility of an audacious double involving the French Champion Hurdle at Auteuil on May 20.

“He would have to be absolutely singing to go to Aintree,” continued Scott. “That would be least likely I would have thought, but he does seem to have come out the race really well. So I wouldn’t want to totally rule that out actually.

“Punchestown is one of my favourite trips, so I would love to go over there with him if I could.

“Normally he tells you when he’s ready to run and I was quite surprised by how well he’s come out of it. If you are being really greedy you could do something like Aintree, then put him away and go to France if you wanted a jolly, so I guess all options are open.”