Nicky Henderson opts not to go to Cheltenham Chaser withdrawn from Tingle Creek at short notice Altior’s seasonal debut has been delayed until the second day of Kempton’s Christmas meeting on 27 December after Nicky Henderson said on Monday the dual Champion Chase winner will not be entered for the re-arranged Peterborough Chase following its switch to the first day of Cheltenham’s December meeting on Friday.Altior was unexpectedly scratched from last Saturday’s Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown the night before the race, with Henderson citing concerns about the going as the reason for his sudden change of heart. The trainer suggested at the time that he might be tempted to run Altior if the Peterborough Chase were rescheduled for Taunton...
Stop procedures failed to work in the murk during last year’s London National, leading to a rejig of Saturday’s scheduleOfficials at Sandown have acted to prevent a repeat of the chaos that occurred during last year’s London National, due to be staged once more on Saturday. Seven jockeys completed the course in conditions described as “extremely murky”, having failed to see a yellow ‘stop’ flag that was being waved before the third-last fence, with the result that this year’s race has been brought forward by half an hour. Related: Oisin Murphy admits seeing cocaine being taken on night before positive test Tips by Chris Cook Continue reading...
Six months after it resumed behind closed doors, racing will be welcoming limited crowds to courses on WednesdayAfter several false starts and six months after it resumed behind closed doors, racing will lead the way in welcoming limited crowds back to sporting events on Wednesday as Haydock, Lingfield, Ludlow and Kempton all open their doors to a maximum of 2,000 spectators. All four courses expect to number their actual attendance in three figures rather than four but the return of paying customers will still be seen as a vital step for the sport and one that has not arrived a moment too soon. Related: Talking Horses: BHA stands by injury return protocols after Cook admission Lingfield Continue reading...
Danny Cook fell three times in 16 rides and then admitted his vision has not recovered from an injury sustained last monthRacing’s rulers have stood by the existing system for examining a jockey’s fitness to ride, following the revelation that Danny Cook has been riding with impaired vision for the past week. Cook stood himself down after a fall on Definitly Red at Newcastle on Saturday, saying his sight had not recovered from severe facial injuries including a fractured eye-socket and broken nose he suffered in a mid-October fall when a horse appeared to kick him. He also had 50 stitches in his facial wounds.“I’ve not been riding to my full capability, so I need to get it sorted,” he...
Sandy Thomson eyes Aintree for chestnut, the latest veteran chaser to be cheered up by life at his Borders stableThe Grand National is on the agenda for that hugely talented enigma Yorkhill, who brought tears to the eyes of his owners by winning Saturday’s Rehearsal Chase at odds of 66-1. The chestnut has become the latest evidence of Sandy Thomson’s skill at reviving sulky old racers, with the rugged beauty of the Borders countryside having also played a part. Related: Cloth Cap fits for Jonjo O'Neill to win Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury OMG!!! Yorkhill!!!! @NewcastleRaces @captainnash @LambdenRacing Ryan Mania . Well done team. Crying and lost my voice shouting at the tv. Class is permanent!The King of the North enjoying...