Tag Archive for: Southwell

Rhino on the charge at Southwell

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It would be no surprise if White Rhino delivered a knockout blow in the Download The Rhino.Bet App Handicap Hurdle at Southwell.

Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero’s seven-year-old has improved significantly for a step up in trip, winning his last two, and could prove still ahead of the handicapper despite a 15lb rise for a facile success at Wetherby last time.

Before that he registered a six-length success over track and trip and there is plenty to point to a bold hat-trick bid on his return to the Nottinghamshire venue.

Henry Oliver’s Coastguard Station could answer an SOS from punters earlier on the card in the Follow Us On Twitter @betrhino Handicap Chase.

A seven-length winner at Doncaster on his penultimate start, he bumped into the highly-progressive Haddex Des Obeaux when returning to Town Moor over the Christmas period.

With that rival now rated 146, Coastguard Station looks a more than tempting proposition here off 120 despite the burden of top weight.

This speedy circuit should suit and he could be still on the upgrade.

Ali Star Bert is another who could notch up a three-timer in the opening Daily Charged Up Offers At Rhino.Bet Handicap Chase, while Presenting Belle is of real interest in the Rhino.Bet Mares’ Novices’ Handicap Hurdle.

Lucy Wadham’s six-year-old thrived following wind surgery at Huntingdon last time when chasing home a well-regarded winner.

Although no match for Blue Beach, the front two were a distance clear of the rest and a repeat of that form would make her tough to beat.

Ioupy Collonges can keep up his good run of form for Paul Nicholls in the Melanie And Philip Gibbs RNLI “Hands And Heels” Handicap Hurdle at Taunton.

A 60,000 guineas recruit after placing in two point to points, Ioupy Collonges has two wins in three starts to his credit, triumphing in bumper company at the first attempt before coming home a 10-length winner on his second hurdles start last month.

An hurdles introduction yielded a satisfactory second and it clearly stood him in good stead at Chepstow as he made all for a cosy win.

Libberty Hunter takes the eye in the Jackson-Stops Country House Handicap Hurdle.

He got off the mark over hurdles at Chepstow in January and Evan Williams has wasted no time in switching to handicap company, with his initial mark of 124 leaving him something to work with.

In the concluding Royal National Lifeboat Institution Open National Hunt Flat Race, Duhallow Tommy could have the class to concede weight to his rivals.

Placed behind the likes of Twinjets and Cheltenham Bumper third Captain Teague in his early outings under rules, he got off the mark at Fontwell in January.

The second did not let the form down when again a silver medallist next time and Duhallow Tommy appears to be getting better with each and every outing.

SELECTIONS:

NAVAN: 1.50 Fameaftertheglory, 2.20 Carbon King, 2.55 Landrake, 3.25 Velvet Elvis, 3.55 Slip Of The Tongue, 4.25 Pats Choice, 4.55 Did I Ask You That.

SOUTHWELL: 2.00 Ali Star Bert, 2.35 Coastguard Station, 3.05 Sanda Rena, 3.35 WHITE RHINO (NAP), 4.05 Presenting Belle, 4.35 Get Up Mush, 5.05 My Ticketyboo.

TAUNTON: 1.40 Ioupy Collonges, 2.10 Smart Casual, 2.45 She’s So Lovely, 3.15 New Age Dawning, 3.45 Libberty Hunter, 4.15 Auditoria, 4.45 Duhallow Tommy.

DOUBLE: White Rhino and Coastguard Station.

Luke Morris reaches 2,000 British winners landmark

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Luke Morris celebrated another landmark when reaching 2,000 career winners in Britain at Southwell on Tuesday.

In a perfect piece of symmetry, the Archie Watson-trained Colors Of Freedom was winning at the track where Morris recorded his first career victory in November 2005.

The Arc-winning rider, 34, joins only six other current riders in Britain who have achieved the same feat – Ryan Moore, Frankie Dettori, Jamie Spencer, Jim Crowley, Paul Hanagan and Joe Fanning.

He told Great British Racing: “Year in year out I try to have as many winners as I can, so to reach 2,000 winners, I am immensely proud. I am very lucky to have lots of loyal contacts, great trainers and owners as well as an understanding family who have always supported me.

“This something that I’ve wanted to do since I was six and they’ve been supportive since the very start. Now I have a young son Henry, it makes life different, but my partner Molly is very good at steering the ship while I’m all over the country.

“I set myself a goal every year to ride 100 winners and hopefully ride a Group One. Luckily, it’s worked out quite well for me so far, but you have to keep your work ethic every year and keep your head down. I’ve always been ambitious and I hope that will stay with me for a long time.”

Alpinista (white cap) powers to victory in the Yorkshire Oaks
Alpinista (white cap) powers to victory in the Yorkshire Oaks (Mike Egerton/PA)

He added: Morris continued: “Of the British winners, Marsha winning the Nunthorpe and Alpinista in the Yorkshire Oaks are very much my highlights. They were special days, especially winning them for Sir Mark (Prescott) and loyal owners in the Elite Racing Club and Miss (Kirsten) Rausing.

“Those were two great days and I’m very much hoping there will be plenty more days like that. You just hope that the ball keeps rolling year in year out and just keep the number tally very high.”

Buick chalks up double century with Southwell success

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Champion Flat jockey William Buick capped a superb year by notching up his 200th domestic win aboard Zealot at Southwell.

After taking the title for the first time in his career this autumn, the rider had been closing in on the milestone as the year reaches an end.

Zealot, trained by Michael Appleby, was one of two rides for Buick on the evening all-weather card and the gelding immediately carried him to his double century when securing the Spreadex Sports First Goalscorer Insurance Handicap.

“I said to Tony (Hind), my agent, six weeks ago when we had 31 winners to go that it was within reach,” Buick told Sky Sports Racing.

“Things didn’t quite go to plan until today, but it’s great and I’ve had lots of support. Thank you to everyone.

“It’s been a great year. I’ve had wonderful support from everybody. Charlie Appleby and Godolphin have had an amazing year with Charlie also being champion (trainer) as well.

“I would love to go for it again next year, beyond that you never know.”

Buick’s previous best was 170 winners in 2021, when he narrowly lost out to Oisin Murphy in the title race.