Stamina is everything in the famous contest since the fences were softened and Ballyoptic’s credentials can’t be doubted“I’m so lucky! I’ve got a wealth of talent,” said Nigel Twiston-Davies when asked about his nine entries for this year’s Grand National at the unveiling of the weights on Tuesday. The Gloucestershire trainer had his tongue at least partly in his cheek but his Ballyoptic is very nicely positioned on 10st 11lbs and looks the best long-range pick of the 110 possible runners at odds of 33-1.Stamina is everything in the famous Aintree contest since the fences were softened and Ballyoptic’s credentials can’t be doubted in light of his powerful finish in last year’s Scottish Grand National. Alas for all concerned, he...
The fine art of the Cheltenham prep-run is on the minds of Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden as they prepare Clan Des Obeaux for Saturday’s Denman ChaseThe fine art of the Cheltenham prep-run is on the minds of Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden as they prepare Clan Des Obeaux for Saturday’s Denman Chase at Newbury. They would like to win, of course, but the big target for their surprise King George hero is a further five weeks down the line and they are keenly aware of the risk they’re taking with the horse’s Gold Cup chance just by lining up this weekend.“You don’t want them at their best but you want them fit enough to do themselves justice,” said Nicholls,...
The rule introduced to prevent horses appearing twice at jump racing’s toughest meeting is a very welcome oneGenerally speaking, I’m not a fan of changes to historic races, but I’m wholly in agreement with the change to this year’s Cheltenham Festival that prevents any horse from running there more than once in the same year. Rule changes made it hard to do so at last year’s Festival but it was still just about possible. Now there are new race conditions which will prevent any horse from being declared for a Festival race if it has already been declared for another Festival race, or has run already at that Festival.There have been some great examples of resilient horses that ran twice...
The Gold Cup and King George winners are among 10 entries for Saturday’s Denman Chase at NewburyGold Cup hero Native River and King George winner Clan Des Obeaux are among 10 entries for Saturday’s Betfair Denman Chase at Newbury. Colin Tizzard’s Native River is looking for a third successive win in the race but has plenty of ground to make up on Paul Nicholls’ Clan Des Obeaux, who finished over 13 lengths in front of him when bursting on to the big-race scene at Kempton on Boxing Day. Related: Apple’s Jade and Buveur D’Air set to top bill in Cheltenham Champion Hurdle Taunton Continue reading...
Three races from Leopardstown will be included in Saturday’s coverage by ITV Racing, providing a real boost to punters in frost-bound BritainThree races from day one of the Dublin Racing Festival will be included in Saturday’s coverage by ITV Racing, providing a real boost to punters in Britain after the cards at Musselburgh and Wetherby were lost to the weather. It is a significant moment, the first time ITV will broadcast live action from Ireland since it resumed showing racing two years ago, and Min (3.10) can provide the highlight by landing the Dublin Chase.He beat a similar field by 12 lengths in this race a year ago and, when on song, is a really classy two-miler. Simply Ned and...