Walsh faced with toughest of King George decisions
Ruby Walsh faces one of the toughest decisions of his whole career in having to decide whether to partner four-times previous race winner Kauto Star or dual champion chaser Master Minded in the forthcoming William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day, and I for one do not envy him having to make such a tough choice, writes Elliot Slater.
Of course, there will be literally hundreds of jockeys across the country who would love to be in such a position, but Walsh knows he is potentially on a hiding to nothing if the horse he eventually rejects goes on and wins the prestigious Grade 1 Christmas showpiece event. My gut feeling is that the hugely popular Irishman will stick with Kauto Star, a horse…
Continue Reading Walsh faced with toughest of King George decisions
Knight realistic about Somersby Kempton task
Henrietta Knight knows exactly what it takes to win at the highest level of the steeplechasing tree having dominated the sport a decade ago with the superb triple Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Best Mate and also with the likes of champion chaser Edredon Bleu, so when the highly regarded handler offers opinions about her horses it is always well worth sitting up and taking a listen, writes Elliot Slater.
Knight also sent out Best Mate to win two renewals of the King George VI Chase so has a particularly strong inside track on just what is required to lift the mid-winter chasing crown, and although very pleased with the performance of her very talented Somersby in finishing second to Master Minded at Ascot recently in the Grade 2…
Continue Reading Knight realistic about Somersby Kempton task
Captain to take in Amlin Chase before King George bid
The 2011 King George VI Chase credentials of the smart Captain Chris will be fully tested if indeed the progressive chaser takes his chance in Saturday’s Grade 2 Amlin 1965 Chase at Ascot against the likes of Master Minded, Somersby and Medermit, writes Elliot Slater.
Last season’s brave Arkle Chase winner is currently an 8/1 joint-second favourite for the showcase Christmas event at Kempton Park but will need to show that he can mix it at the highest level with seasoned Grade 1 performers if his chance at the Sunbury track on Boxing Day is to be taken seriously. Things didn’t go quite to plan at Exeter on his seasonal return in the Grade 2 Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter earlier in the month when the Philip Hobbs-trained…
Continue Reading Captain to take in Amlin Chase before King George bid
Grand Crus a doubtful Betfair Chase contender
Although time might well prove that the David Pipe-trained Grand Crus is more than capable of holding his own at Grade 1 level over fences it appears highly unlikely that the popular grey will take up his engagement in the Grade 1 Betfair Chase at Haydock on November 19 after being declared to make his chasing bow at Cheltenham in novice company a week earlier, writes Elliot Slater.
Just about the only horse in training able to make a race of it with the outstanding champion staying hurdle Big Buck’s last season, Grand Crus has reportedly schooled very well ahead of his chasing bow at Cheltenham where he will face stiff opposition in the Steel Plate & Section Novices’ Chase over two-and-a-half miles of the Prestbury track. With potential…
Continue Reading Grand Crus a doubtful Betfair Chase contender
New star Kauto Stone brings up Nicholls’ 200th winner
On a day to remember for a whole host of reasons champion trainer Paul Nicholls sent out his 200th winner when Kauto stone, a five-year-old half-brother to the mighty Kauto Star, put up a tremendous performance on his first outing for the yard to win the Grade 2 Ladbrokes.com Chase at Down Royal, and in the process catapult himself into ante-post contention for the RSA Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in a little over four months time, writes Elliot Slater.
One of a remarkable seven winners across-the-card, (including a five-timer at Wincanton) for Nicholls, it was fitting that the success of Kauto Stone brought up such a significant landmark for his supremely talented handler whose training of Kauto Star has been one of the undoubted highlights of his time…
Continue Reading New star Kauto Stone brings up Nicholls' 200th winner
Maximum of just two Irish challengers for Betfair Chase
The quality of the home team defence may well have deterred a number of potential candidates from taking their chance in the coveted Grade 1 Betfair Chase at Haydock on November 19, leaving Ireland with just two of the current 19 entries for the big race, writes Elliot Slater.
Despite the lure of the £200,000 in guaranteed prize money only Rubi Light and Roberto Goldback figure amongst the entries for the contest seen as a significant early season trial for the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March. Of the pair, Rubi Light is more prominent in the ante-post betting on the event being priced up at around 16/1 in the Betfair chase betting, whilst Roberto Goldback is generally on offer at 40/1.
Rubi Light, winner of the Grade 2…
Continue Reading Maximum of just two Irish challengers for Betfair Chase
The Racing Post Trophy
The Racing Post Trophy takes place on Saturday 22 October at Doncaster and the race is already attracting plenty of attention from racing professionals.
Whilst most bookmaking firms are yet to release their ante-post odds for the event it is possible for punters to place bets via the online betting exchanges and there may be some good reasons to do so earlier rather than later.
One of the main reasons that punters may wish to get early ante-post bets in place quite soon is that traditionally the power of the Racing Post and the extent to which the paper focuses on the event can lead to a shortening of prices ahead of the race.
With this in mind it is worth considering the prospects of the horses…
Continue Reading The Racing Post Trophy
Mahbooba books her ticket for E P Taylor Stakes
Leading international trainer Mike de Kock struck for the first time in the UK this term at the eleventh time of asking when his talented filly Mahbooba proved far too strong for her rivals in Newmarket’s listed Aqlaam Godolphin Stakes and looks to have booked her place in the line-up for the $1 million E P Taylor Stakes at Woodbine in Canada on October 16, writes Elliot Slater.
De Kock has always held the four-year-old daughter of Galileo in high regard and the key to her improved performance seemed to be the step up to 12-furlongs for the first time in her career. Despite taking a strong grip under Pat Cosgrave, Mahbooba sailed into the lead fully three-quarters-of-a-mile from home on the Rowley Mile track and never looked in…
Continue Reading Mahbooba books her ticket for E P Taylor Stakes
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