Middleham trainer who’s never had a runner at the Cheltenham Festival now finds himself with the favourite for a Grade One thereWhen Sam Spinner lines up for the Stayers’ Hurdle in a couple of months’ time, a race for which he is currently the clear favourite, he will be Jedd O’Keeffe’s very first runner at the Cheltenham Festival. It’s a fact that illustrates just how unlikely the Sam Spinner story is, a top-class racehorse landing in the laps of a low-profile outfit who paid just £12,000 for him less than three years ago. Related: O’Faolains Boy can breathe life into Rebecca Curtis’ difficult season Wetherby: 12.40 Aardwolf, 1.15 Pennywell, 1.50 Very First Time, 2.25 Jammin Masters, 2.55 Joseph Mercer, 3.25 Up To No...
Welsh track should be able to stage famous handicap chase on Saturday, so long as the rainfall doesn’t exceed current forecastsChepstow is right on the edge in terms of its ability to stage the Welsh Grand National on Saturday. I spoke to their clerk of the course, Keith Ottesen, as he walked off the course just now and, essentially, he believes racing will take place but he needs - indeed, we all need - there to be no more rain than is in the forecast. Related: Trainers concerned over large sums owed by Al Shaqab ownership group Newcastle: 1.00 Kaser, 1.30 Apalis, 2.05 Wishing Well, 2.40 Winds Of Fire, 3.10 Champagne Pink, 3.45 Symbolic Star, 4.20 Pudding Chare 4.55 Poppy...
After the revelation that Al Shaqab owes huge sums to British-based trainers, it appears no such issues affect other big-time Qatari ownersAs any punter knows, getting paid is half the battle and that message has apparently been borne in on trainers who have horses owned by Al Shaqab, the racing empire of Sheikh Joaan, a brother of the Emir of Qatar. According to a Times story this morning, Al Shaqab has been slow to pay invoices to several people in British racing over the past six months and now has debts running into seven figures. Related: Richard Johnson back on track with Welsh Grand National on horizon Southwell: 12.40 Shine Baby Shine, 1.10 Speciality, 1.40 Kommander Kirkup, 2.10 Jack The Truth,...
Nicky Henderson seems to be leaning away from a prep-run with his King George winner, there being little to gain from another outingI hope the King George was enough evidence for you all to make up your minds about Might Bite because it sounds to me as though he’s going straight to the Gold Cup now. Nicky Henderson was musing on that subject yesterday, after training a winner at Cheltenham, and naturally he left the matter open at such an early stage of the year, but he seemed to be leaning away from another prep-run. Related: Adam Wedge banned after steering hot favourite around fence at Exeter Related: Champion Hurdle still on for Defi Du Seuil if he bounces back...
Nick Williams is the man to follow, if our latest trainer form table is any guide, and he may have reason to celebrate New Year’s DayHappy New Year! And a very happy, traditional New Year’s Day to those of you who like a bit of Strauss from Vienna and a bit of racing from Cheltenham, possibly accompanied by throbbing temples. Related: Champion Hurdle still on for Defi Du Seuil if he bounces back to form Southwell: 12.05 Watching Spirits 12.35 Helen Sherbet 1.10 Gabrial’s Star 1.45 Tilly Trotter 2.20 Florencio 2.55 Mama Africa 3.30 Mr Coco Bean Continue reading...