The high-profile jockey goes to Wolverhampton for one ride today and the hint should be taken...Andrea Atzeni is an intriguing participant at Wolverhampton this afternoon. The globe-trotting jockey has had only two rides in the UK this year, but makes it three when partnering the 3-1 shot Boom The Groom (3.45), his only booked ride of the day. Atzeni rode the sprinter to victory in a York handicap in August, the same day that the Sardinian won the Juddmonte International on Postponed. He then teamed up with Tony Carroll’s horse at Lingfield just over a fortnight ago, when they finished second. Continue reading...
Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary has made it clear that he does not see Don Poli running in the Grand National this year after a row over the weight he must carryThe latest chapter in the case of Gigginstown vs Phil Smith might be titled ‘Michael O’Leary Really, Really Means It’. Far from being reassured by the explanations of Britain’s top handicapper yesterday, to the effect that Irish horses get a fair shake in jumps handicaps here, the Ryanair boss has given quotes to the Racing Post expressive of outrage. Continue reading...
Connections of three fine Irish steeplechasers are not happy about the weight they’ve been given by the British handicapperGoodness, Gigginstown have reacted badly to the weights set for this year’s Grand National. Three fine chasers owned by Michael O’Leary’s stud have been given ratings a couple of pounds higher than their Irish marks, with the result that all might skip the race in April. Continue reading...
Gordon Elliott and Michael O’Leary have some talking to do before settling plans for the big spring steeplechasesAmid all the talk from trainers at the Grand National weights launch last night, the most significant line related to the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Gordon Elliott, who trains several excellent chasers for Michael O’Leary these days, said that, if he gets his way, Empire Of Dirt will run in the Gold Cup rather than the Ryanair at next month’s Cheltenham Festival. Continue reading...
Kauto Riko is the son of a half-sister of the legendary Kauto Star and the six-year-old’s improving form suggests he could make quite a splash himselfAfter a weekend of Cheltenham trials on both sides of the Irish Sea, it is back to more pedestrian fare this afternoon, but there are a few runners worthy of close inspection, Kauto Riko (2.40) being the most obvious in the first of the handicap hurdles at Catterick Bridge. Tom Gretton’s six-year-old did not show much on his handicap debut last April, but looked a different proposition altogether when he returned to the track after an eight-month break at Market Rasen on Boxing Day. Kauto Riko travelled smoothly throughout and put the race to bed...