Horse Racing

Frozen Fire takes Irish Derby win

2008-06-30T15:35:00.001+01:00

Seamus Heffernan also won the race on Soldier of Fortune last year
Aidan O'Brien became the first trainer to win the Irish Derby three years in a row after Frozen Fire claimed a surprise win at The Curragh on Sunday.
Jockey Seamus Heffernan timed his run to perfection as the 16-1 chance came through the field with a furlong to go.
After a stewards' inquiry, favourite Tartan Bearer was promoted to third place with Casual Conquest in second.
O'Brien's victory was his sixth in the race, bringing him level with legendary namesake Vincent O'Brien.
"It's unbelievable," said Aiden O'Brien, who won the race with Dylan Thomas in 2006 and Soldier Of Fortune last year.
"We always thought this horse had a lot of class and Seamus gave him a very good ride.
"This is down to a lot of people - it's been a privilege to have been involved in it.
"Seamus has worked very hard and is a great judge of a horse. Nobody deserves it more than Seamus and I couldn't be happier for him.
"This is marvellous. The race was a full, solid mile-and-a-half and there are no excuses.
"All of ours have run great races, but I think Alessandro Volta got stage-fright when he turned into the straight - he wouldn't have seen a crowd like that in front of him before.
"The Curragh is probably the greatest racecourse in the world as it is a very fair track and really tests a horse."
Hindu Kush made most of the early running as the genuine contenders bided their time, and Johnny Murtagh's Alessandro Volta took over at the head of the pack as the race began to enter the final stages.
It looked to be a straight foot race between even-money favourite Tartan Bearer, Alessandro Volta and Curtain Call, but Murtagh's mount suddenly veered left.
Curtain Call seemed to be the worst affected and Frozen Fire was in the right place at the right time to seize control of the race and surge to a two-length victory.
"Aiden always trains them for the big day and this is a big day," said Heffernan.
"I was riding him to try to get placed and he is a bit weak but I was happy to get a lead and follow some of the fancied ones.
"It's unbelievable to win this two years in a row - it's a dream."
The stewards demoted Alessandro Volta from third place after the race.
Ante-post favourite New Approach was withdrawn on the morning of the race with a bruised foot, denying Jim-Bolger's horse the chance to become the first to complete the English-Irish Derby double since 2002.
Irish Derby result:
1. Frozen Fire (J A Heffernan) 16-12. Casual Conquest 4-13. Tartan Bearer Evens fav4. Curtain Call 8-1
11 ran

Stars rally round injured trainer

2008-04-29T19:38:00.000+01:00

Mr Alner trained the 1998 Gold Cup winner, Cool Dawn
A trust fund in aid of a Dorset trainer who broke a bone in his neck in a car crash has been launched.
Robert Alner suffered life-threatening injuries after his car collided with a telegraph pole in Dorset last November.
Many of the biggest names in jump racing were at the fund's launch and the trainer's wife Sally said the family were "deeply touched".
"Both of us are overwhelmed by all the support Robert has received since his accident," she said.
"People have been amazing and the Injured Jockeys Fund has been there for Robert from day one.
"We can't thank everyone enough for all their efforts and are deeply touched that a fund has been set up for him."
Alner's long-time stable jockey Andrew Thornton is one of the trustees.
He said: "There are lots of practical things we can do to make Robert's life a little easier when he resumes back at the yard.
"Unfortunately most of them cost money. That's why we are launching a fund to help him."
Alner, 64, suffered serious neck injuries in the accident and is continuing to make steady progress at Odstock Hospital, near Salisbury.
The Robert Alner Fund has already been boosted by contributions from a dinner dance at Cheltenham racecourse in January.
Lambourn trainer Charlie Mann is organising a golf day on 30 June while champion trainer Paul Nicholls handed over his winning percentage from his hunter chase victories this season.
A special ball at Wincanton racecourse on 11 October is also planned

Equine flu hits Sydney racehorses

2007-09-02T10:05:00.000+01:00

The outbreak will cost the industry millions of dollarsEight Australian racehorses have tested positive for equine influenza, forcing the suspension of Sydney's spring carnival racing.
The horses are based at Randwick racecourse in Sydney, the headquarters of racing in New South Wales.
The racecourse will be quarantined for 30 days to try to contain the outbreak.
The flu was first detected in recreational horses in Sydney last week, forcing a ban on horse movements and the cancellation of race meetings.
The primary industries minister for New South Wales, Ian Macdonald, said the flu could spread quickly through the Randwick stables, where some 700 thoroughbreds are based.
Some of Australia's finest thoroughbreds are stabled at Randwick and it is also home to some of the country's leading trainers.
The flu was found in eight of 10 horses from the stable of Randwick trainer Anthony Cummings.
'Grim day'
The outbreak is devastating blow to the racing industry, reports the BBC's Nick Bryant in Sydney.
The suspension of racing will cost millions of dollars, not just to the horse industry but to the bookmakers. There are fears of major job losses.

Jobs at the Randwick racecourse are threatened"It is more than a disaster, it is a grim, black day," Racing New South Wales Chief Executive Peter V'Landys told reporters.
He said the cancellation of Sydney races would have a significant impact on the Melbourne spring carnival, including the Melbourne Cup, Australia's most prestigious horse race which takes place in November.
"The cream of the horses are based at Randwick and Warwick Farm (in Sydney). You have leading trainers at Randwick. None of those horses now will be able to compete in Melbourne," he said.
Meanwhile, about 100 people, 30 of them children, remained quarantined following an outbreak in Warwick, Queensland state. Equine flu does not affect humans, but can be carried on clothing or footwear.

Sakhee's Secret lands fourth win

2007-07-13T21:47:00.001+01:00

Sakhee's Secret has now won four races in a rowSakhee's Secret won his fourth race in a row by taking victory in the Group One July Cup at Newmarket on Friday.
Steve Drowne's 9-2 mount beat Dutch Art by half a length, with 16-1 shot Red Clubs one and a quarter lengths back in third place in the six furlong race.
"He's a youngster and is as good as I've ridden," said Drowne afterwards.
Bentley Biscuit had another poor day, coming home 10th out of 18 runners, and Soldier's Tale was withdrawn before the race because of the going.
July Cup result:1 Sakhee's Secret (S Drowne) 9-22 Dutch Art (J Fortune) 5-13 Red Clubs (M Hills) 16-118 ran

Rebel set for Royal Ascot opener

2007-06-15T09:47:00.000+01:00

Double Guineas winner Cockney Rebel is one of a potential field of 11 for the St James's Palace Stakes on the opening day of Royal Ascot on Tuesday.
Cockney Rebel is aiming to emulate the brilliant Rock of Gibralter, who won both the English and Irish 2000 Guineas before winning at Royal Ascot.
But the Geoff Huffer-trained colt faces a five-strong challenge from Rock of Gibralter's trainer Aidan O'Brien.
They include French 2000 Guineas winner Astronomer Royal.
The Irish trainer's other four possible runners are Excellent Art, an unlucky fourth in France, Duke Of Marmalade, fourth in the English and Irish Guineas, Archipenko, winner of the Derrinstown Derby Trial, and Sorolla.
The £250,000 St James' Palace Stakes, which is run over a mile, is the opening Group One race of the five-day Royal Ascot meeting.
Dutch Art, from the stable of Derby-winning trainer Peter Chapple-Hyam, was second to Cockney Rebel at Newmarket and could re-oppose his rival at Royal Ascot.
Also lined up for the St James' Palace Stakes is Jim Bolger's Creachadoir, who was second in both the French and Irish Guineas.
David Wachman's He's A Decoy, Brian Meehan's Jack Junior and William Jarvis' impressive Silver Bowl winner Tobosa complete the field.
The other Group One race on the opening day of the Royal Ascot is the Queen Anne Stakes, which sees the eagerly-awaited return to the track of George Washington.
The four-year-old, also trained in Ireland by O'Brien, was sent to stud at the end of last season.
But after suffering fertility problems, his owners decided to resurrect his racing career.
The colt will face a maximum of eight rivals, who could include dual Group One-winning filly Red Evie, victor in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury.
James Fanshawe's Cesare, who won the Royal Hunt Cup at the meeting last year, has been supplemented for the race.
Other possible contenders include Sir Michael Stoute's Jeremy, winner of the Jersey Stakes 12 months ago.

Dwyer secures Regime Derby ride

2007-05-25T14:04:00.000+01:00

Dwyer has won both the Oaks and Derby at EpsomThe 2006 winning jockey Martin Dwyer will replace banned rider Jamie Spencer on Regime in the Epsom Derby on 2 June.
Dwyer, who triumphed on Sir Percy last year, was booked by trainer Michael Bell after Spencer's suspension.
Former champion Spencer will miss the Derby meeting after losing his appeal on Monday to overturn a suspension imposed by French stewards.
Spencer got two bans - one for six days and one for four - for his riding in the French 2000 Guineas on 13 May.
The 26-year-old was contesting the four-day suspension but France Galop rejected his appeal.
Spencer was due to ride second favourite Dalvina in the Oaks on 1 June and 20-1 chance Regime in the Derby.
French jockey Oliver Peslier is now likely to be on board Dalvina.
In other jockey news, Ted Durcan has been secured by trainer David Elsworth to ride his Derby contender Salford Mill, currently second favourite behind Authorized.
Dwyer boasts good form around Epsom, having tasted Classic success on board Casual Look in the 2003 Oaks, and Regime won his Derby trial well at Sandown..
"Martin has ridden an Oaks winner and a Derby winner so he rides the track very well," said Harry Herbert, racing manager of the Highclere Thoroughbred Racing syndicate, which owns Regime.
"Regime will go to Epsom on Thursday with Martin on board to have a spin around Tattenham Corner.
"We think he is going in to the race underrated as we have always thought the world of him. He ran a big race in the Goffs Million and might have won if he was on the other side."
"The favourite will be a very tough nut to crack but hopefully we will be in a position to test him."
Dettori will ride the favourite, Authorized, who was an impressive winner of the Dante Stakes at York last week.
The Italian-born jockey will be having his 15th ride in the world's most famous Flat race but is still seeking his first victory.
Spencer's French suspension comes on top of a two-day penalty imposed in Britain, which he appealed against unsuccessfully to the Horseracing Regulatory Authority last week.
It ruled him of action on 23 and 24 May, but the Irish rider will now have to sit out all meetings held between 25 May and 3 June.

Finsceal heads 1000 Guineas field

2007-05-04T22:21:00.000+01:00

Finsceal Beo was last season's European champion juvenile fillyFinsceal Beo heads the 23 declared for Sunday's 1000 Guineas at Newmarket.
Victory for the filly would compensate trainer Jim Bolger, whose ante-post favourite Teofilo was ruled out of the 2000 Guineas on Thursday with injury.
Second-favourite Sander Camillo, trained by Jeremy Noseda, has been left in the field despite disappointing in her work this week.
But Magic America, who was also prominent in the betting, was withdrawn after suffering a leg injury.

"She's fractured her front fetlock cantering this morning," said trainer Criquette Head-Maarek.
"She's going to be OK and will not have to be put down but just cannot run.
"She was so well. It's been a long time since I had one as good as her for a big race in England," added the French trainer, who has won the 1000 Guineas three times.
Indian Ink is absolutely winging
Assistant trainer Richard Hannon junior
The only other withdrawal at Friday's confirmation stage was the Paul Blockley-trained Wait Watcher.
Finsceal Beo was the champion juvenile filly and trainer Bolger is hoping she can justify her hot favouritism.
"She is very well. There have been no problems with her and it has all been plain sailing," he said. "I am expecting a good performance from her."
Richard Hannon's stable believe they have a good chance of breaking their 1000 Guineas hoodoo with their two runners, Indian Ink, who won last season's Cheveley Parks Stakes, and Selinka.
The East Everleigh trainer has won the 2000 Guineas three times but the fillies' equivalent has eluded him so far.
"Indian Ink is absolutely winging. She's flying at home and she's a very good filly," said the trainer's son, Richard Hannon junior.
Newmarket trainer Jeremy Noseda saddles the Shadwell Nell Gwyn runner-up, Sander Camillo, and last year's Meon Valley Stud Fillies' Mile winner, Simply Perfect.
Other highly-rated local challengers include the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Kaseema and the Michael Jarvis-trained Yaqeen.
In addition to Finsceal Beo, three other fillies will make the journey from Ireland - the John Oxx-trained Arch Swing, Kevin Prendergast's Miss Beatrix and Aidan O'Brien's challenger, Theann.
The 23 runners equal the second-biggest field for the fillies' Classic since the World War II.
Stan James 1000 Guineas Newmarket 1mSunday, 1510 BST, Commentary BBC Radio Five LiveNumber, Form, Name, Age, Weight, Trainer, Jockey
1 11-1 ARCH SWING 3 9-0 John Oxx IRE Mick Kinane 2 2-15 BARSHIBA 3 9-0 David Elsworth John Egan 3 1025-4 BICOASTAL 3 9-0 Brian Meehan Ted Durcan 4 129-3 BLUE ROCKET 3 9-0 Tim Pitt Olivier Peslier 5 2-0 CARTIMANDUA 3 9-0 E S McMahon Jimmy Fortune 6 312-77 DARRFONAH 3 9-0 Clive Brittain Christophe Lemaire7 1-7 FANTASY PARKES 3 9-0 Kevin Ryan Neil Callan 8 12611- FINSCEAL BEO 3 9-0 Jim Bolger IRE Kevin Manning9 4211-2 INDIAN INK 3 9-0 Richard Hannon Richard Hughes 10 17-4 KASEEMA 18 3 9-0 Sir Michael Stoute Martin Dwyer 11 72311- MISS BEATRIX 3 9-0 Kevin Prendergast IRE Declan McDonogh 12 21-50 PRINCESS VALERINA 3 9-0 Barry Hills Michael Hills 13 123-0 PUGGY 3 9-0 R A Kvisla S Pasquier 14 411-2 SANDER CAMILLO 3 9-0 Jeremy Noseda Frankie Dettori 15 340-28 SATULAGI 3 9-0 J S Moore Stephen Donohoe 16 3158-1 SCARLET RUNNER 3 9-0 John Dunlop Kerrin McEvoy 17 6311- SELINKA 3 9-0 Richard Hannon Eddie Ahern 18 13711- SIMPLY PERFECT 3 9-0 Jeremy Noseda Johnny Murtagh 19 11141- SWEET LILY 3 9-0 Mick Channon Darryll Holland 20 5521-3 THEANN 3 9-0 Aidan O'Brien IRE Christophe Soumillon 21 012- TREAT 3 9-0 Mick Channon Jamie Spencer 22 1210-6 VITAL STATISTICS 3 9-0 David Elsworth Kevin Darley 23 3-1 YAQEEN 3 9-0 Michael Jarvis Richard Hills

Adagio storms to Craven victory

2007-04-20T21:15:00.000+01:00

Kerrin McEvoy partnered Adagio to the Craven Stakes winAdagio laid down a significant marker for the 2,000 Guineas when he was an impressive winner of the Craven Stakes at Newmarket on Thursday.
The Sir Michael Stoute-trained colt, the 5-4 favourite, eased down to win by one-and-a-half lengths from Sonny Red.
Thousand Words stayed on to finish third but the victory for jockey Kerrin McEvoy was never in doubt despite struggling for room two furlongs out.
Adagio is now rated a 6-1 shot from 12s by VC Bet for the 2,000 Guineas.
Adagio, who is owned by the Coolmore team, won on his debut at Newmarket last September before finishing a creditable four-and-a-half-length seventh behind Teofilo in the Dewhurst on his final start.

Money continues to flood in for Dun Doire

2007-03-25T08:36:00.000+01:00

Dun Doire continues to be well backed for the Grand National with Betterbet.com and is now clear 10/1 favourite for next month's big race. Paul Carberry has been handed the ride.

The jockey, who has been sidelined with a foot injury since February 25, has twice partnered the Tony Martin-trained runner to success but has not taken the reins since the duo combined to winning effect over a year ago.

Explaining the booking, Martin told the Racing Post: "I've asked Paul to ride Dun Doire in the National once he is fully fit, and he has accepted the mount.

"He knows the horse well and won the Thyestes Chase on him last season."

Carberry hopes to be back in action in the near future and is already looking forward to the Aintree feature on April 14.

Of Dun Doire, who bounced back to winning ways under Bobby McNally at Down Royal this month, Carberry said: "I've won a couple of races on him and he's a good ride to pick up for the National.

L'Ami heads McManus Aintree hopes

2007-03-23T21:29:00.001Z

McManus has never won the Grand NationalL'Ami has been identified as leading owner JP McManus' best hope of success in next month's Grand National.
The famous Irish owner has nine horses entered in the Aintree showpiece, which he has never won although he did have the runner-up in 2003 in Clan Royal.
"I would say at this stage that L'Ami looks our best chance. He will definitely run," said McManus' racing manager Frank Berry.
L'Ami was seventh behind Kauto Star in the Cheltenham Gold Cup last week.
The Francois Doumen-trained gelding is currently a general 20-1 shot for the Grand National on 14 April.
Aintree veteran Clan Royal is also scheduled to take his place in the line-up.

State of Play the value in the Gold Cup

2007-03-15T23:22:00.001Z

The Press clamours for a super horse, but Kauto Star is not yet that.

He is impressive in his paces and this has carried off prizes for him on park tracks despite his tendency to make a hair-raising error towards the end of a race. Such an error on this track under pressure and faced with quality challengers would prick the bubble. But are there any quality challengers? Last year's winner, War Of Attrition, is injured; Beef Or Salmon has never 'put it in' on this track and the ground has gone against last year's third, Forget The Past, and, theoretically, against The Listener and My Will, though this pair are young pretenders and we don't know everything about them.

Also, there are horses in this that - on form - shouldn't be here: Bob Bob Bobbin, for example, is rated 30lb inferior. Exotic Dancer has been a big improver but was beaten eight lengths by 'Cato' in the King George, and when L'Ami got within a neck of 'Cato' at Newbury, it was with the help of a 10lb advantage. I have two ideas about the race: Exotic Dancer has won no fewer than four times at Cheltenham, and the track could make the difference. Secondly, State Of Play has been forgotten since he won the Hennessy Gold Cup. He has to be fresh; acts on any going; staying is clearly his game, and Hennessy winners have done the double before (four times).

After all the defectors, we still have a big field which suggests that trainers feel that Kauto Star is worth taking on. If this happens in the market, you could have a 'lay and back' situation. But I will content myself with an each-way bet in a tricky year. Trainer Evan Williams has been hailed as the potential new star of the jumps stables and State Of Play would establish his credentials.

At the overnight prices State of Play is 13/2 with betterbet.com.

Alan to be Cheltenham King again

2007-03-13T23:37:00.000Z

With winners at 50/1 and 40/1, and a 16/1 winner of the Champion Hurdle there can be little doubt the bookmakers had the edge on the first day of the Cheltenham Festival.

A few lessons were learnt which will hopefully help with our strategy for Wednesday. The first is despite pessimism beforehand - the Irish horses are running incredibly well. Secondly, the ground is now starting to dry up at a rapid rate.

That will definitely count against Nickname in the Champion Chase. Betterbet.com have gone 15/2 overnight which is a big price compared to a week ago but I expect him to drift further as there were plenty of negative vibes around the track on Tuesday for this one whose best form is on soft and heavy ground. A better bet in Wednesday's feature race may be VOY POR USTEDES who won the Arkle at the Festival last year and who looks a reasonable bet at 9/2 to win this. Trainer Alan King won this year's Arkle yesterday with the impressive My Way De Solzen and hot favourite Well Chief looks worth opposing given his lack of recent races.

DENMAN has been made 6/5 favourite by Better to win the Royal & SunAlliance Chase at 2.35 and is the banker bet at the meeting for many. He's a terribly short price now but so hard to fault. If you prefer to play each-way UNGARO looks interesting at 10/1.

Swift a likely Sandown outsider

2007-03-10T12:52:00.001Z

The Sunderlands Imperial Cup at Sandown is the traditional hor'deuve to next week's Festival main course and punters will be looking to the 17 runner handicap to boost their Cheltenham betting banks.

The top weight Dusky Warbler is a non runner and the only certainty of the race is that the David Pipe trained Gaspara is going to go off favourite. Betterbet.com make him 3/1 at the moment and if you can get near a Better shop they have a great concession today whereby if you finish second to the favourite in this race you get your win single stake back.

This race has been monopolised in the past by David's father Martin who has won three of the last five runnings and Gaspara, who bids for a hat-trick, looks a very likely sort indeed with the champ A P McCoy in the saddle. Gaspara also has two Cheltenham engagements for next week and if he wins today will be on for the bonus put up by the sponsors.

At 3/1 he is plenty short enough though for such a competitive event and we prefer to play each-way where we'll get a return if finishing in the first four. The going will be testing at Sandown which may play into the hands of the bottom weights and the one at the very bottom Swift Sailor looks interesting at Better's 16/1. The grey is in good form, as his trainer Gary Moore.

Irish hurdling duo miss Festival

2007-03-10T07:59:00.000Z

Macs Joy is a former winner of the Irish Champion HurdleThe 2005 Champion Hurdle runner-up Harchibald and last year's second Macs Joy will miss this year's race.
Macs Joy has been ruled out of Tuesday's contest with a pulled muscle while the soft ground conditions have led to Harchibald's withdrawal.
The news is the latest blow to Irish hopes for the Cheltenham Festival.
Reigning Gold Cup champion War of Attrition, the 2006 blue riband runner-up Hedgehunter and rising star In Compliance are all absentees.
Harchibald's trainer Noel Meade, who is based in County Meath, said stablemate Jazz Messenger is an unlikely Champion Hurdle runner, and he will instead rely on Grade One novice winner Iktitaf.
"Harchibald won't travel over as the ground is against him and it is going the same way with Jazz Messenger," said Meade.
Jessica Harrington, the County Carlow-based trainer of Macs Joy, said he is likely to reappear at the Punchestown Festival in April.
Macs Joy was a general 9-1 chance for the two-mile contest, with Harchibald rated a 25-1 shot.
Galloping grey Detroit City, trained by Philip Hobbs in Somerset, is favourite for the race, which has been dominated by the Irish in recent years.
Hobbs trained the last England-based winner, Rooster Booster, another grey who won in 2003.
The 2006 champion Brave Inca and Hardy Eustace, winner for the two previous years, head the Irish challenge this time.

Selecting a better Cheltenham Stable

2007-03-06T15:24:00.000Z

Cheltenham is round the corner and betterbet.com are sponsoring the big competition in the Racing Post - Select A Stable.

There's GBP75,000 up for grabs with a first prize of GBP50,000 and the good news is that the prizes HAVE to be won. This is a fantasy type competition where the prizes are awarded based on how many points your stable of horses score.

It costs GBP5.00 to enter a stable with a 'five stables for the price of four' discount available. It's easy to enter - you need to select 12 horses from four groups of bankers, strong fancies, good chances and outsiders - but pay careful attention to the bankers you select as these will count double points.

You have until 1.45pm on the first day on Tuesday to enter - but there's no reason not to enter straight away. Even if your horse is withdrawn between now and the race you are allowed two substitutions per stable.

You can enter online at www.selectastable.co.uk. Remember too that betterbet.com were the first bookmaker to go NON RUNNER NO BET for the Festival and the offer still applies.

Swan linked to Cheltenham return

2007-03-01T08:34:00.000Z

Swan was one of the most renowned Cheltenham jockeysPopular Irish jockey Charlie Swan could come out of retirement to ride Brave Inca when the horse defends his Champion Hurdle crown at Cheltenham.
Trainer Colm Murphy is waiting on the availability of regular partner Tony McCoy, the 10-times champion jockey.
McCoy may be required to ride Straw Bear for his boss, the horse's millionaire owner JP McManus.
Asked if Swan could take the ride, Murphy said: "I wouldn't rule it in or out. We'll see what happens."
Swan, now a successful trainer, is held in high regard by racing fans after his exploits on the McManus-owned Istabraq, winner of the Champion Hurdle in 1998, 1999 and 2000.
McCoy has regularly ridden the nine-year-old Brave Inca and won the blue riband on him 12 months ago.

Ruby Walsh stepped in to partner the gelding to success in the December Festival Hurdle at Leopardstown over Christmas.
But Walsh could be needed for the Paul Nicholls-trained Desert Quest.
"I don't know what is happening. I'll wait until the middle of next week before we start panicking," said Murphy.

Lucifer for Racing Post prize

2007-02-24T10:53:00.000Z

No surprises to see the David Pipe trained Lucifer Bleu trading as low as 7/4 with Betterbet.com to win this afternoon's feature race The Racing Post Chase at Kempton Park where the going is sure to prove testing.

So much so that the field has now been reduced to 11 runners with four horses taken out. These include Henry Daly's pair Billyvoddan and Alderburn – both because of the ground.

David Pipe saddles four runners in this valuable race where over recent years fancied runners have done well. However, there can be no denying that that Lucifer Bleu - off a feather weight - is the one to beat. Despite racing from out of the handicap here - he is effectively 21lb in hand at the weights, as the weights for this race were framed before the handicapper had evidence of his runaway victory at Wincanton last time out in similar conditions to what he will face today. Jockey Andrew Glassonbury takes off a further five pounds and the partnership should be backed for success even at 7/4.

If you prefer to play at each way odds then take a look at Lacdoudal who is burdened with top weight but is a class performer on his day as he showed when winning the Betfred Gold Cup at Sandown last year. Betterbet.com make him a 12/1 chance for this afternoon.

Korelo a speculative Fontwell wager

2007-02-18T10:02:00.001Z

For the second Sunday running the most valuable race of the day has again attracted a small field - proving again the equation between prize money and field sizes is flawed.

The totesport.com National Spirit Hurdle at Fontwell (3.30) has GBP40,000 prize money guaranteed, yet has attracted only five runners.

The betting on betterbet.com is sure to point to a match between Refinement and United. We prefer the chances of Refinement who represents the bang in form stable of Jonjo O'Neil. The interesting runner is Korelo, who has the ability to win a race such as this but is sadly out of form at present and hasn't been seen since pulling up in the Welsh National over Christmas. We'd recommend just a very small investment on him here on the basis that his price will be bigger than it should be.

A safer betting proposition comes later on in the afternoon when Helen Wood should take all the beating in the 4.30. David Pipe had a great day on Saturday and we take Helen Wood to follow up her recent six length Leicester success.

Now 'non runner no bet' for the Grand National

2007-02-14T17:31:00.000Z

Better Bookmakers continue to bring innovation and value to punters. Hot on the heels of their 'non runner - no bet' offer for the Cheltenham Festival - they now have the same deal on the Grand National, for which the weights were announced this week for the 119 entered runners.

Given one of the main (if not only) reasons punters choose not to bet ante-post is because of the risk of not getting a run for their money - this really is a better offer in every respect.

They were first off the blocks for Cheltenham and are currently the only bookie offering this for the Grand National for which their current 10-1 co-favourites are last year's front two Numbersixvalverde and Hedgehunter with the lightly raced Irish raider Far From Trouble.

The offer stands until midnight on the 28th February, so get your heads in the formbook now - at least you'll have the guarantee of getting a run for your money.

You can place your bets online at http://www.betterbet.com/betterbet?action=go_dd&sport=horses&level=EV_IDS&ev_id=482676

Probe planned into horse's death

2007-02-12T22:16:00.000Z

Venn Ottery was formerly trained by Paul NichollsThe death of racehorse Venn Ottery after he ran at Newbury is set to be investigated by the Horseracing Regulatory Authority.
Venn Ottery, owned by Oliver Carter and trained by Sue Gardner, was put down after fracturing a pelvis on Saturday.
Gardner has since told the Racing Post the 12-year-old ran in the two-mile Game Spirit Chase against her wishes.
HRA spokesman Paul Struthers told BBC Sport: "We need to establish the facts and talk to the individuals concerned."
He added: "Given that it appears Venn Ottery ran against the wishes and advice of his trainer and at the insistence of his owner, we will be formally looking into the matter.
"We need to establish the full facts, whether this could have been avoided and whether any Rules of Racing have been broken.
"Whilst there has been comment about the grade of race Venn Ottery was running in, it is quite likely that he might well have suffered this injury regardless of the grade of the race."
Carter has been unavailable for comment, while Gardner described the horse's death as "heartbreaking."
Venn Ottery, who was having his first race for the trainer, was passed fit to run by a racecourse vet.
Results of a post-mortem carried out after his death will be examined by HRA officials.
The 88-year-old Carter is a permit holder, which effectively licenses him to train, so could potentially have chosen to change the trainer for the race from Gardner to himself.
Struthers said the HRA relies on trainers, who have gone through a licensing process, to have horses' best interests at heart.
VENN OTTERY FACTS
Age: 12
Races: 46
Wins: 4
Second: 2
Third: 2
Unplaced: 38Carter caused some controversy within horse racing when he ran Venn Ottery as a rank outsider in both the 2005 Champion Chase and Gold Cup at the Cheltenham Festival.
He was trained at the time by Martin Pipe, having previously been with the current champion trainer Paul Nicholls.
In 2004, the horse enjoyed a successful campaign when trained by Nicholls, winning four races inside a month and finishing fifth to Azertyuiop in the Champion Chase.
But Nicholls had voiced his concerns before the Newbury race, saying it was an "utter disgrace" he should now be running in such a high-quality contest.
Afterwards, Nicholls was quoted by the Racing Post as saying: "When he goes a mile-and-a-half, pulls up and then has to be put down afterwards, it's terribly sad for the horse.
"I felt very strongly about his running, and hopefully there will be some lessons learned from it."
The nature of jump racing means equine fatalities are a part of the sport.
Triple Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Best Mate died in 2005 after suffering a suspected heart attack following a race at Exeter.
The ground was too soft and the race too hot
Trainer Sue GardnerDevon-based Gardner is not one of racing's most well-known trainers, and Venn Ottery was only her second runner of the year.
"It was unfortunate as it could have happened on the gallops and, as I instructed, his jockey at Newbury was not pushing him," she told the Racing Post.
"But he should not have been in that race. I didn't enter him or declare him - Oliver insisted that the horse ran and I tried to persuade him not to run.
"If we hadn't turned up with the horse, I would have been fined.
"I told him the ground was too soft and the race too hot, and he said he would take the horse to the races if I didn't."
The HRA has received no official complaint from any party about the running of Venn Ottery.
Going into Saturday, the horse's form had been largely disappointing - he was pulled up twice and fell once in his previous five runs under the Rules of Racing.
The Newbury event was won by Well Chief, who is now favourite for the Queen Mother Champion Chase, one of the feature races at next month's Cheltenham Festival.
Venn Ottery was sent off a 200-1 shot for the eight-runner race and was in last place when he was pulled up by jockey Andrew Glassonbury.
The Racing Post report of the race said: "Venn Ottery has little business in this company these days, and he was pulled up halfway down the far side."

Star studded Newbury card gets thumbs up

2007-02-10T08:46:00.001Z

Thankfully, on a weather interrupted week, the card at Newbury has been given the thumbs up.

It's an absolutely tremendous card with plenty of Cheltenham clues and the equine stars include Kauto Star who will be long odds-on to complete his Gold preparations by winning the Aon Chase at 2.40.

Betterbet.com have really caught the imagination with their Cheltenham non runner no bet offer and amazingly, in the case of some horses, they are actually a better price as well as having the concession. A case in example is the favourite for the Champion Chase - Voy Por Ustedes who runs in today's Game Spirit Chase at 3.50. Betterbet have him 11-4 favourite for the Champion Chase with the non runner no bet guarantee whilst William Hill only go 5-2 - and if he is a non runner you lose. So as always – shop around.

The two big betting races of the day are the handicap hurdles at 2.05 and the totesport Trophy at 3.15. Isle De Maurice (2.05) and Moore's Law (3.15) are speculative selections.

Betterbet.com have a match bet between Private Be (4/5) and the bottom weight Rio De Janiero (evens) in the 3.15 The odds look right and Private Be should come out best between this pair.

Standout Festival punts with a Better bookmaker

2007-02-01T00:17:00.000Z

Chris Cook
Thursday February 01 2007
The Guardian

"A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of small minds," as that famous punter Ralph Waldo Emerson so rightly pointed out. In like spirit, let us set aside the advice given in this space four short weeks ago, to the effect that no ante-post bets should be considered on this year's Cheltenham Festival.

You might point out, and rightly, that the reason for that advice still holds true - it remains impossible to predict the going at Prestbury Park in mid-March, partly because the clerk of the course may opt to turn on the taps. But something else has changed.

It is the decision of Better Bet bookmakers to offer 'non-runner, no bet' on nine Festival races, a concession that seems almost too good to be true. Most firms will get around to offering such terms as the big week looms but to start taking bets on this basis in January is little short of sensational.

Of course, it would count for nothing if Better were offering shorter prices across the board, but this is not the case. Without looking to the rank outsiders, I found over a dozen horses in their lists for which the Better price matched the top price on the High Street. They offer Detroit City at 11-4 for the Champion Hurdle - that's half a point more than you'll get from William Hill, who will keep your cash if the grey is injured in Saturday's prep-run.

The one that leapt out at me was Nickname at 7-1 for the Champion Chase. The eight-year-old is 10-1 elsewhere but that has a lot to do with the fact that he is a doubtful starter - trainer Martin Brassil wouldn't risk him on anything faster than soft.

If he were to line up at Cheltenham, that could only mean that the ground had come right for him, in which case he would start a lot shorter than 7's. Nickname spent his formative years learning to cope with the porridge-like ground that Auteuil invariably serves up and he rolls through mud like a tractor. His last two outings have resulted in easy wins against high-quality rivals on heavy going.

There's another interesting bet in the Triumph Hurdle, where Better offer a quarter the odds each-way to four places. Degas Art, the only horse to have beaten Katchit over hurdles, is on offer at a very tempting 14-1, matching the best price with the big firms.

Katchit is as low as 5-1 in places, having franked the form with three subsequent wins. Degas Art has been given a break since mid-November but is still believed to be healthy and, as he was more than a stone better than Katchit on the Flat, there is every reason to expect that he will confirm the placings when they meet again.

Better Bet launched in 2005 and now have 13 shops, with plans to open more. If there isn't one near you, go to their website at www.betterbet.com.

Aintree winner faces cruelty case

2007-01-25T20:28:00.000Z

Guest turned to training after winning the rain-hit 2001 NationalTrainer Richard Guest, a former Grand National-winning jockey, could still face a ban from racing over animal cruelty claims.
The Horseracing Regulatory Authority (HRA) has announced it will hold its own hearing following a court case.
Guest, who won the National on Red Marauder in 2001, was given a two-year conditional discharge by Durham Magistrates' Court in November.
He admitted causing unnecessary suffering to the horse What's A Filly.
The trainer, along with two employees Richard Dalton and Louise Tidman, were given two-year conditional discharges after What's A Filly was put down following a severe infection in her near-hind leg.
Guest, 41, of Brancepeth Manor Farm in County Durham, pleaded guilty to failing to exercise reasonable care and supervision.
The HRA will call Guest, plus the stable's head lad Dalton and head girl Tidman, to a hearing on 8 February to consider whether they have breached the Rules of Racing.
If found guilty, a ban of anything from six months to 10 years could potentially be imposed, although other penalties can be given.
The HRA has previously indicated that Guest is more likely to receive a financial punishment after the judge at the court case pointed to mitigating circumstances.

Outlier to revel at heavy Haydock

2007-01-20T11:10:00.000Z

Thankfully, Haydock survived a morning inspection and goes ahead on heavy ground.

Feature race is the Peter Marsh Chase at 1.55, an early trial for the Grand National and stamina will definitely be required in abundance over this three mile trip.

Betterbet.com make Leading Man and Snakebite their 4-1 joint favourites but we'll look elsewhere for the winner and THE OUTLIER at 15-2 with better looks a decent price.

Trained by Venetia Williams whose stable has sent out seven winners from their last 24 runners, The Outlier ran a cracking race over course, distance, and the same heavy ground in December when a two length second to Sharp Belline. Earlier in the season, The Outlier was a 30 length winner at Towcester on heavy ground so his ability to handle today's extreme conditions is taken as read.

Snakebite is preferred of the two favourites, although he is still lacking a little in experience over the larger obstacles.

Newmill heading straight to Cheltenham

2007-01-18T17:22:00.000Z

Newmill, winner of last year's Queen Mother Champion Chase, could head straight to the Cheltenham Festival after bypassing two possible engagements this weekend.

John Joseph Murphy entered his stable star in the Bank Of Ireland Hurdle at Naas on Saturday and Sunday's ladbrokes.com Normans Grove Chase at Fairyhouse but heavy ground scuppered Newmill's chances of a run.

Murphy will now go back to the drawing board with his nine-year-old, although he would be unconcerned if he defended his Champion Chase crown without a prep run.

"He's not going to run this weekend as we've had some bad weather and it's going to be heavy. It's heavy at the moment and the forecast tomorrow is horrific," Murphy confirmed.

"You would have to even wonder if Fairyhouse is going to be on and we were going to go to Fairyhouse as against Naas, but we're not going to run.

"We will try (to get a run into him before the Festival) but it's not vital. His last run before the Festival last year was this week in the Kinloch Brae so that's not going to change life hugely.

"It will be eight or nine weeks until Cheltenham - it wouldn't bother me if he didn't get another run," the County Cork handler told At The Races.

Newmill is 3/1 second favourite with Betterbet.com for a repeat success in the Champion Chase.