Fan-favourite Forpadydeplasterer Will Miss Cheltenham with Injury: One of the main contenders for the 2011 Ryanair Chase is off the Cheltenham trail after returning sick after being pulled up in the King George at Kempton. Connections had been hoping he would be set to go for the festival but they have clearly chosen to do right by the animal and not rush his... Read More; A.J. Ryder; Wednesday, February 16, 2011 - 19:14
Cue Card Trimmed as Connections Point to Supreme Novices’ Hurdle: The race to even-money begins for highly-rated novice Cue Card as conditioner Colin Tizzard has more or less confirmed the five year-old son of King’s Theatre for the Supreme Novices Hurdle. The only thing that would keep Cue Card out of the festival opener would be withdrawls by the leading... Read More; A.J. Ryder; Wednesday, February 16, 2011 - 19:06
Dunguib Connections Opt for Champion Hurdle: Arguably considered the biggest bust at last year’s Cheltenham Festival, coming in the first race on the first day, Dunguib has been pointed towards the much more testing Champion Hurdle in lieu of the Coral Cup, in which he had also been given entry. Beaten at odds-on in the Supreme Novices... Read More; A.J. Ryder; Tuesday, February 15, 2011 - 18:43
Don’t Push It and Neptune Collonges to Carry 11st 10p in Grand National: Connections of leading Grand National fancy Ballabriggs, a ten year-old son of Presenting, have declared themselves “happy enough” with the draw for this year’s Aintree feature. The handicappers have assigned an 11st weight to the 16/1 shot who is trained by Donald McCain. Don... Read More; A.J. Ryder; Tuesday, February 15, 2011 - 18:42
Sizing Europe Confirmed for Champion Chase: With the 2011 Cheltenham Festival drawing nearer by the day, the ante post action has begun to heat up significantly and one of the most important confirmation yet has emerged as Ryanair Chase fancy Sizing Europe has been confirmed for the Champion Chase despite being the leading contender for the... Read More; A.J. Ryder; Monday, February 14, 2011 - 18:31
Nicky Henderson Racks Up 2000 Career Wins Over Jumps: It took more than 30 years of hurdles and fences, but venerable trainer Nicky Henderson recorded his 2000th career jumps racing victory with a smashing win from Punchestowns at Kempton on Friday. Henderson, trainer of such Cheltenham Festival fancies as Binocular and Punjabi, got his career... Read More; A.J. Ryder; Friday, February 11, 2011 - 20:32
Ruby Walsh Favourite for Top Festival Jockey Honours: One of the favourite Cheltenham Festival side bets has always been the Thomas Pink Top Jockey Award and it’s notable that punters seem unphased by leading festival jockey Ruby Walsh’s extended absence from the jumps circuit. The Nicholls and Mullins stable rider remains at a nearly odds... Read More; A.J. Ryder; Thursday, February 10, 2011 - 16:54
Alan King Unsure Over Walkon for Totesport Trophy: A real who’s-who of the National Hunt hurdling contenders will be tackling the Grade 3 Totesport Trophy at Newbury this Saturday and, with so much talent on display, Alan King is making absolutely sure that his highly-rated hurdler Walkon enters the race in cracking form. The popular grey... Read More; A.J. Ryder; Wednesday, February 9, 2011 - 17:36
Menorah Works Out With Eye on Champion Hurdle Coup: The feature race on the opening day of this year’s Cheltenham Festival looks to be heating up nicely with an emphatic declaration from Philip Hobbs that his stand-out jumper Menorah is working “brilliantly” for the Champion Hurdle. Last year’s Supreme Novices’ Winner... Read More; A.J. Ryder; Tuesday, February 8, 2011 - 17:44
Hennessy Gold Cup: Pride of Dulcote Out: It appears as though conditions on the ground have prompted Paul Nicholls to pull out heavy favourite Pride of Dulcote from this Saturday’s rescheduled Hennessy Gold Cup. The Grade 1 contest at Leopardstown had looked to have been nearly sown up by up-and-coming chaser who defeated the... Read More; A.J. Ryder; Tuesday, February 8, 2011 - 17:37