The chestnut seemed flattered by the outcome of a novice hurdle in 2014 but the form stood up in Friday’s Gold CupHere’s a wee lesson about interpreting results, arising from the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Rootling around in the dim and distant form of the winner, I found this race. Related: Bryony Frost booked for Milansbar as pair close in on Grand National dream Wolverhampton 2.10 Annie Salts (nap) 2.40 Global Academy 3.15 Barnaby Brook 3.50 The Juggler 4.25 Raakid 4.55 Widnes 5.25 Madame Ritz 6.00 Surewhynot Continue reading...
Strength in depth enabled trainer to win an amazing four handicaps at last week’s Cheltenham Festival Here’s one more thought to add to the pile of post-Cheltenham musings: Gordon Elliott managed to win four of the 10 handicaps, which may be unprecedented. Willie Mullins has never won that many at a single Festival and nor have Nicky Henderson, Paul Nicholls, Jonjo O’Neill or Martin Pipe. Related: Cheltenham boosted by RSPCA’s Muir as review into horse fatalities begins Newcastle 5.35 Dubawi Fifty 6.05 Bobby K 6.40 VJ Day 7.15 Mujassam 7.45 Taifbalady (nb) 8.15 Musbaq 8.45 Zebulon (nap) Continue reading...
A late change of target remains possible but Willie Mullins’s two-miler now seems set to take on Altior on WednesdayHoly smokes, Douvan has been declared for Wednesday’s Champion Chase with Ruby Walsh booked to ride, despite all yesterday’s toing and froing about connections looking at a switch to the Ryanair. Nothing is final until he actually lines up for the race, of course, and the rules still allow for him to run in the Ryanair instead if there is yet another late change of heart. Related: Cheltenham trainers warn of testing, ‘puddingy’ ground for Festival Related: Richard Johnson looks to ‘family pet’ for his Gold Cup inspiration | Chris Cook Dr Richard Newland 43% (7) Nicky Henderson 40% (15) Harry...
The Gloucestershire trainer may not fancy his chance of a Festival success this year but he’s got plenty of contendersHere’s a quick canter through some of the Cheltenham Festival targets for Nigel Twiston-Davies horses, for which there was no room in this morning’s news piece. The New One, of course, joins Wholestone in the Stayers and the trainer has removed the temptation to switch back into yet another Champion Hurdle with the horse by taking him out of the entries. Related: Blaklion’s Aintree chances unharmed by defeat, says Nigel Twiston-Davies Warwick 1.50 Indian Hawk 2.25 Zamalight 3.00 Blameitalonmyroots 3.30 Knockgraffon (nap) 4.05 Asking Questions 4.40 Fly Home Harry 5.10 Be That As It May Continue reading...
The trainer was in a bullish mood when he discussed his horses’ chances at next month’s meeting on WednesdayStoicism is a useful – perhaps essential – trait for any racehorse trainer, but few carry it off quite as well as Colin Tizzard, who opened his yard on Wednesday morning for his annual pre-Cheltenham Festival media day. Tizzard drew a blank from 21 runners at last year’s meeting and returned home empty-handed in 2014 and 2015 too, but was fairly convincing when he said that he does not feel any extra pressure ahead of this year’s meeting. Related: Robbie Power set to be first jockey for Alan Potts’s Cheltenham runners Sedgefield 1.40 Aaron Lad 2.10 Steps And Stairs 2.45 Bal De Rio 3.20 Kilronan...