Donnacha to train, like father Aidan and brother Joseph I look forward to training a small group of horses next yearDonnacha OBrien, the multiple Group One-winning jockey, has announced his retirement from the saddle to embark on a training career.The 21-year-old was crowned champion jockey in Ireland this year, defending the title he first secured 12 months ago, and he bows out with 10 top-level wins to his name. OBriens final Group One success came aboard Magical in the Champion Stakes at Ascot in October. Related: Joseph and Donnacha OBrien halt an Irish Derby victory for OBrien Sr Ludlow 12.35 The Newest One 1.05 Loud As Lions 1.40 Waitonit 2.15 Master Work 2.45 Manor Park 3.20 Kingofthecotswolds 3.50 Artichoke Heart Continue...
Trainer also accepts that media pressure has helped persuade Altiors connections to step him up in trip at AscotCyrname has edged closer to Altior in the betting for Saturdays head-to-head in the Christy 1965 Chase at Ascot, as Nicky Henderson admitted the step up to 21 furlongs is a big question for his unbeaten chaser. Altiors trainer added that he doesnt look like a horse that is going to stay [on the gallops] as he has got such a ridiculous amount of speed.On Tuesday morning, several major firms were offering 11-8 about Cyrname, who is officially rated 1lb ahead of Altior, but that had dried up to a general 5-4 by midday. Altior remains top-priced at 8-11 with BetVictor, while...
He has yet to record a win on his seasonal debut, but for an 11-8 chance, Cyrname still seems to have an awful lot going for himAltior has set off as an odds-on shot for 13 of his 14 wins over fences and he is odds-on once again, at a top price of 8-11, for his much-anticipated seasonal debut in the Christy 1965 Chase at Ascot on Saturday. It is the biggest price Altior has been since he started at evens for the Queen Mother Champion Chase in 2018 if you dont count the 15-2 in-running when he appeared to be struggling a circuit later and many punters will need no further invitation to wade in head down.But he is,...
More than two months in the build-up, Saturdays meeting of the two best steeplechasers in Britain would provide a rare treatMore than two months of media build-up has, incredibly, failed to put the kybosh on Altior v Cyrname, the top-class clash which we still hope and believe will take place at Ascot on Saturday. Both trainers have, I suspect, got a bit tired of confirming that their charges are still on course for the Christy 1965 Chase but they were good enough to do so once more at Cheltenham on Sunday and both seemed genuinely upbeat about their chances. Related: Happy Diva makes it second time lucky with BetVictor Gold Cup triumph Chris Cook's tips Continue reading...
Sidelined since breaking her arm, Kelly has been cleared to ride Siruh Du Lac in Saturdays BetVictor Gold Cup at CheltenhamIf the long wait for the positive news from Cheltenham on Friday seemed unbearable, spare a thought for Lizzie Kelly. Sidelined since breaking her arm in a fall on 10 October, Kelly had just been passed fit to ride Siruh Du Lac, her front-running Festival winner earlier in the year, in todays BetVictor Gold Cup, when suddenly the recent downpours in the west country threatened to intervene.Hed be the perfect comeback ride, Kelly said. So long as you get the fractions right, then hes easy, an easy ride that makes it difficult for everyone else. Related: Lizzie Kelly turns nightmare...