Kelso’s bold decision to boost the prize fund for the Morebattle Hurdle has been rewarded with a strong field for their feature raceKelso’s bold decision to boost the prize fund for the Morebattle Hurdle and offer a £100,000 bonus if the winner can follow up at Cheltenham has been rewarded with a strong field for the feature race on Saturday.It has also caught the eye of the Irish trainer Emmet Mullins, whose versatile eight-year-old The Shunter (3.15) has entries in three hurdle events and two chases at the Festival. Paul Nicholls and Dan Skelton have decent shouts with Christopher Wood and Faivoir respectively, but The Shunter could offer a taste of things to come at Cheltenham with an Irish victory....
The father-son combination landed the Betfair Hurdle on Sunday and could be on the mark again at KemptonSix days after landing the Betfair Hurdle, the two Jonjos can be handicap kings once more with Young Wolf (3.35) in the Close Brothers, still best known under its long-ago title, the Racing Post Chase. Admittedly, Young Wolf’s chance is less clear than that of Soaring Glory, who won at Newbury, but he looks like being a fair each-way price.A lot of winter form is going to prove irrelevant on Kempton’s drying surface but it gives Young Wolf a chance, as he has done well on good ground or faster over the last two summers. He should not be judged harshly for his...
A classy second place in the Game Spirit was an excellent return to action for Nicky Henderson’s Cheltenham Festival contenderChamp has halved in price for the Cheltenham Gold Cup next month, thanks to a prep run here which was about as impressive as a beaten effort could be. Considering he had not raced for 11 months and was facing specialist two-milers when he wants to go half as far again, it was a serious effort to finish just two lengths behind Sceau Royal and he is now 6-1 second-favourite for the Festival highlight, having been 12-1 hours before.Some were inclined to fear Nicky Henderson had forgotten how to train when the Lambourn man announced Champ would line up in the...
A few things have gone wrong since Paul Nicholls’s star beat Altior at this track in 2019 but Saturday’s race should suitPunters are bound to feel a little queasy when faced with the prospect of taking odds-on about Cyrname (3.35), bearing in mind that Paul Nicholls’ star has let his supporters down three times out of four since his famous defeat of Altior. He had an unhappy experience in last year’s running of the Ascot Chase, falling at the last when already beaten and taking his time to get up, and was pulled up in the King George when last seen. Related: Talking Horses: Royale Pagaille owners told to target Gold Cup Tips by Chris Cook Continue reading...
Four races each from Lingfield and Naas will make up racing’s TV offering on Saturday, after the loss of Newbury and WarwickIt may not be the Saturday’s action we were hoping for but Naas and Lingfield will provide plenty of intriguing puzzles, so long as both tracks pass early inspections. ITV4’s pundits will be hard at work to familiarise themselves with the sprint handicappers entered for the show’s closing contest but hopefully they will have a good look at Garth Rockett (3.45). Related: Talking Horses: BHA decides against disqualifying jockey that placed bets Tips by Chris CookFoxFly Ltd will be offering a LIVE AERIAL STREAMING SERVICE from all Racecourses from Monday 15th February, anyone interested please get in contact. We...