The Sheikh Mohammed revelations should prompt the BHA to make the sport less dependent on a single investorIt is four days since a family court found that Sheikh Mohammed had probably ordered the abduction of two of his daughters, one of whom was in Britain at the time she was taken. It seems fairly clear that the British Horseracing Authority does not intend to say anything in response. Officials apparently see the government’s silence as justifying their own but, while deferring to government is a responsible way to deal with the coronavirus, it looks like a convenient cop-out in this case.Saying and doing nothing reduces the risk of the Maktoum money tap being turned off. No executive wants to be...
The all-weather track at Wolverhampton will take centre stage after Saturday’s card at Sandown fell victim to the elements To the dismay of jumps fans, the feature race on this pre-Cheltenham Saturday is a Listed all-weather contest, the Imperial Cup card at Sandown having been abandoned. Wolverhampton’s Wulfruna Stakes will now be the best race shown on ITV. At least it may fall to an ex-jump jockey in David O’Meara, trainer of Gulliver (2.45).This six-year-old wouldn’t be up to winning every Listed race but this does not look strong and he’s been in fine form of late, turning in a career best at Southwell and running to a high level in Qatar. He is preferred to Urban Icon, who is...
Lostintranslation is expected to run a big race in the Gold Cup, but there are other contenders to watchColin Tizzard’s stable has been more cold than hot at the Cheltenham Festival in recent seasons. The final afternoon in 2018, when Tizzard saddled Kilbricken Storm and Native River to win the Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdle and the Gold Cup in consecutive races, was probably the crowning moment of his career. The stable drew a blank in both 2017 and 2019, however, and that double supplied the only winners from Tizzard’s last 67 runners at the meeting. Related: Whips to be banned in this summer's £1.8m Racing League Exeter: 2.00 The Jitterbug, 2.30 Fortescue, 3.00 Ballybreen (nap), 3.30 Jack Valentine, 4.00 Celma...
The selection was memorably impressive at Sandown around this time last year and goes well fresh after a breakFive wins in seven years is an impressive record for any trainer in a handicap, so the three Paul Nicholls runners in Saturday’s Greatwood Gold Cup must be given lots of respect. But the Somerset trainer, who is in excellent form as so often at this time of year, may get worried out of the Newbury prize on this occasion by a long-absent runner from the Gary Moore yard.Not Another Muddle (3.15) was memorably impressive at Sandown about this time last year and looked good for a long way when tried in the Grand Annual the following month. Mistakes undermined his chance...
Nicky Henderson is to be applauded for telling us about coughing in his yard before the Festival but other trainers should also do likewiseAmong the social media responses to last night’s “Epatante is coughing” story, I was stunned to see some people effectively responding with: “too much information”. The complaint seems rooted in the fact that Nicky Henderson was reporting a potential problem which may or may not become an actual problem, leaving readers wondering how to respond. Related: Talking Horses: Epatante coughing but on course for Champion Hurdle Doncaster 2.00 Volt Face 2.35 Goobinator 3.05 Imada 3.40 Miss Heritage (nb) 4.10 Molly Ollys Wishes 4.45 First Flow 5.15 Free SkiNewbury 2.10 Alnadam 2.45 Monte Cristo 3.15 Financial Outcome 3.50 It Sure...