McCain Predicts “Hell of a Contest” in Champion Hurdle: “Underrated” was the declaration as popular conditioner Donald McCain fielded a media question about his key Cheltenham charge Peddlers Cross. Less than a week from the festival kick-off, McCain echoed Tony McCoy’s statement that Binocular is up against a tougher field this time... Read More; A.J. Ryder; Thursday, March 10, 2011 - 18:05
Ruby Walsh Set for Saturday Return: Popular Cheltenham pilot Ruby Walsh is set for a rapid return to race-riding after getting his face stitched up aftera spectacular-looking fall at Naas on Wednesday. There had been rumours that Walsh would line up for a run on Friday but it was confirmed today that the venerable Irish jockey will... Read More; A.J. Ryder; Thursday, March 10, 2011 - 18:02
Watering Begins Ahead of Cheltenham Festival: Punters all across the land will be keeping an eye firmly-fixed on the day-to-day going reports being released by Cheltenham clerk of the course Simon Claisse. Despite a forecast for rain and possibly even snow in the next few days, watering has already begun as groundspeople attempt to keep the... Read More; A.J. Ryder; Thursday, March 10, 2011 - 17:59
Planet Of Sound Likely Out of Gold Cup: The 2011 Cheltenham Gold Cup is now down to a short field of contenders with more than a week to go before the de facto world championships of steeplechasing. Philip Hobbs has confirmed that Planet Of Sound is unlikely to line up at the festival at all thanks to an infection in his hind leg. While... Read More; A.J. Ryder; Wednesday, March 9, 2011 - 17:35
Walsh Still Festival-Bound Following Naas Fall: Cheltenham punters can breathe a sigh of relief as Ruby Walsh somehow managed to escape injury in a rough-looking fall at Naas on Wednesday afternoon. The popular Irish jockey has just returned to race-riding after a lengthy spell on the sidelines following a bad fall at Down Royal in late 2010.... Read More; A.J. Ryder; Wednesday, March 9, 2011 - 17:31
Noel Meade Plays Down Pandorama Gold Cup Chances: Despite a first-rate record in virtually all formats of jumps racing, conditioner Noel Meade took the rare opportunity to play down Pandorama’s chances of Cheltenham Gold Cup success. The talented son of Flemensfirth has been laid-off since a score in the Grade 1 Lexus Chase at Leopardstown... Read More; A.J. Ryder; Tuesday, March 8, 2011 - 16:35
Quito De La Roque Opts for National Hunt Chase Over RSA: Quito De La Roque, a multiple Grade 2-winning Irish contender has been officially declared for the lower-profile National Hunt Chase over the RSA Chase at the 2011 Cheltenham Festival. Colm Murphy announced that the seven year-old son of Saint Des Saints would opt for the four-mile contest over... Read More; A.J. Ryder; Tuesday, March 8, 2011 - 16:33
Riverside Theatre Out of Ryanair Chase: A hairline fracture has ruled prominent contender Riverside Theatre out of the running for the 2011 Cheltenham Festival. Popular conditioner Nicky Henderson spoke to Racingpost.com and revealed that the Ryanair Chase second favourite would be pulled off the Cheltenham trail. The move will... Read More; A.J. Ryder; Tuesday, March 8, 2011 - 16:31
Cheltenham Going Officially Rated as Good to Soft: Nine days away from the kick-off of the 2011 Cheltenham Festival and the clerk of the course Simon Claisse has officially upgraded the going and it is presently rated as good to soft. Over the past few days the going had been listed as soft, good to soft in places. Both the chase and hurdles... Read More; A.J. Ryder; Monday, March 7, 2011 - 18:24
Solwhit Out of World Hurdle: As the start of the 2011 Cheltenham Festival draws nearer by the day we are being faced with more and more withdrawals as contender either opt for a specific race or drop out altogether. The latest to be pulled off the festival circuit appears to be the talented World Hurdle fancy Solwhit. The... Read More; A.J. Ryder; Monday, March 7, 2011 - 18:23