Leopardstown Preview

Mikael D'Haguenet faces seven rivals as he goes on a retrieval mission in the Bord na Mona With Nature Novice Chase at Leopardstown today.

Willie Mullins' exciting prospect fell at the final fence at Fairyhouse just two weeks ago after looking like making a triumphant comeback in the Drinmore Novice Chase following more than 19 months off the track.

Now his trainer is just hoping the tumble has no lasting effects, saying: "He seems fine after his last run, as long as he didn't lose his confidence. He'll handle the ground, but we just hope the last run didn't dent his confidence. He has jumped well schooling since."

Mikael D'Haguenet will certainly face a stiff test as he drops back in trip to two miles and a furlong. Noble Prince and Realt Dubh are major contenders, while Henry de Bromhead is represented by Loosen My Load, who was due to run in the abandoned Feltham Novices' Chase at Kempton over Christmas.


De Bromhead said: "He's in good form but unfortunately he won't be in love with that ground, he's more a good ground horse. It looks a stronger race than what the Feltham would have been and while our lad is lovely, he's going to hate the ground, unfortunately.

"I want to step him up in trip but I don't want to do it in the really heavy ground we get over here so we'll do that in the spring maybe. One thing that is in his favour is his jumping, it's brilliant."

Paul Nolan reports Noble Prince to be in fine shape following his victory at Punchestown on his seasonal reappearance. However, he appreciates the task facing his charge.

"He's very well and we're very pleased with the horse, but it's a hell of a race," said the County Wexford trainer."


Jessica Harrington is also fully aware of the challenge facing her runner Saludos, who got off the mark over fences at Navan in November.

"He's been very good and we're very happy with him," said the County Kildare trainer. "It's a very tough race. I'd say it's the race of the year."

Jonjo O'Neill's Backspin maintained his unbeaten record with an ultra-impressive performance in the sportingbet Supports Heros Charity Challow Novices' Hurdle at Newbury.

Previously the winner of a Punchestown bumper for Mags Mullins and a Bangor novice hurdle for O'Neill, he landed the Grade One prize with the minimum of fuss.

Tony McCoy chose to go up the far side on his own, while his main rivals, For Non Stop, Court In Motion and Al Ferof, all came up the near side. When they all emerged from the gloom, it was Backspin (5-1) who had put clear daylight between the chasing pack to score by eight lengths from Court In Motion.

McCoy Is The Man

Tony McCoy has been crowned BBC Sports Personality Of The Year - the first person in racing to gain the nation's vote - at the climax of the televised annual review at Birmingham's LG Arena.

Darts legend Phil Taylor finished runner-up in the prestigious awards ceremony, while heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis was third.

McCoy has ridden more than 3,000 winners and has claimed just about every big race in the calendar, including the Gold Cup, Champion Hurdle and King George VI Chase, and landed his first victory in the John Smith's Grand National on Don't Push It in April.

It was a triumph that saw McCoy, 36, allow his emotionless guise to slip following so many agonising failures in the world's most famous race as he waved his whip to the crowd in sheer delight at the relief of ending his hoodoo.

The 15-times champion jockey told viewers and a packed arena full of sports stars: "This is an unbelievable feeling to be standing in front of so many amazing sports people - so many people who I look up to. To win this award is very surreal.

"I work in a wonderful sport of horse racing and I'd like to thank every one of those (people) because I know that most of the (racing) public spent most of the night voting for me.

"Without Jonjo O'Neill (trainer of Don't Push It) I wouldn't be standing here because I definitely wouldn't have won the Grand National without him. To win it for JP and Norah McManus was an unbelievable feeling because I knew they wanted to win it as much as I did.

"To my wife, Chanelle, and my mother and father, my brothers and sisters, all the other lads in the weighing room who I work with every day, and I know I drive mad, thanks to them.

"Even more amazing than winning this trophy is my daughter, Eve, who is three. I know she's going to be watching and I just want to say how amazing she is."

Success at the country's premier awards ceremony will be seen by the racing industry as the ultimate recognition for a career in which McCoy has rewritten the record books time and again ever since he became champion jockey for the first time in the 1995-96 season.

Freddie`s Back

Freddie Tylicki is back riding out in Malton as his return to action from a major shoulder injury draws closer.

The champion apprentice of 2009 missed the vast majority of the turf season after a fall at Musselburgh in June and needed pins inserted into the shoulder he dislocated and fractured.

The German-born rider, who made such an impression for Richard Fahey's stable, has been honing his skills but is mindful of the need not to rush matters and reported: "Things are going very well."

He went on: "I spoke to my shoulder specialist a couple of days ago and he said there was no need to see him again, which was very good news.

"I've actually been riding out at Mr Fahey's for the last couple of weeks and I'm up to four lots a day now.

"I've still got to see the physio a couple more times and there is still a bit of stiffness in the shoulder, so I've got to get past that first."

Lingfields Feature Race Preview

Gerard Butler is expecting a good run from the hat-trick-seeking Akhmatova in the feature race at Lingfield Park, the Inside Track Racing Club Quebec Stakes.

The daughter of Cape Cross has been in good form of late, winning handicaps over the course and distance and at Kempton last month.

"I think she'll run very well. She likes it round Lingfield, we've a good man (Eddie Ahern) on board and I'm very hopeful," said the Newmarket trainer.


James Given has kept Hidden Glory busy of late, but is hoping the three-year-old gelding can put up a respectable show in the Listed contest.

"This will be his third race in 15 days, but he's had an easy time in between and seems well in himself," said the Lincolnshire trainer.

"It's a decent race with two horses rated 100 (Chapter And Verse and Suits Me) plus Gerard Butler's three-year-old filly (Akhmatova) off 91 and with her 5lb fillies' allowance.

"We're badly in with some, but they've all got to turn up and perform and we have to see where we can go with the horse.

"We've got Tom (Queally) on board and he used to be our stable jockey until Henry Cecil tempted him away, so we've got a good history together."

Todays Meetings Off

Ascot's showpiece meeting featuring the BGC Long Walk Hurdle has been abandoned due to a frozen track.

Friday's fixture was also called off and even though an inspection was held at 4.30pm in the hope that conditions might have improved, there was no sign of it and clerk of the course Chris Stickels was left with an easy decision.

He said: "We've abandoned, I'm afraid. The track is frozen in places and has a light covering of snow. The temperature is minus 3C and falling, and there is no prospect of it warming up."

Stickels and his team faced the monumental task of covering the whole track earlier in the week, but it was not enough even to save the first day of the meeting.


Newcastle is also off after Gosforth Park was hit by sub-zero temperatures, with no sign of a thaw.

Clerk of the course James Armstrong said: "We've had to abandon. It was minus 7C at the coldest part of the track on Thursday night and if anything, rather than thawing it will just be getting even more into the ground. It has got in under the frost sheets, so we've no chance.

"Our next meeting is on January 11, so fingers crossed it is warmer by then."

Nicholls Keeps Options Open

Paul Nicholls is set to have at least two runners in The Ladbroke at Ascot on Saturday.

The champion trainer plans to run Tito Bustillo and Advisor and he will decide later in the week whether Toubab goes for the valuable handicap hurdle as well or runs at the Berkshire track on Friday instead in the Mitie Kennel Gate Novices' Hurdle.

"I have three in there. Toubab is also in on Friday and I've only put him in there just to cover my options. I'll definitely run Tito Bustillo and Advisor," said the Ditcheat handler.

"With Toubab I haven't made my mind up whether we go Friday or Saturday."

Boxing Day Showpiece Preview

Kauto Star heads 24 remaining entries in the William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton.

The Christmas highlight has been won by Paul Nicholls' star chaser for the last four seasons and he will beat Desert Orchid's record with a fifth success. He returned to action this season with a victory at Down Royal and is a short price to claim the Boxing Day showpiece.

There were no surprises among the six withdrawals, which were Captain Cee Bee, Catch Me, Kempes, Massini's Maguire, Weird Al and Gold Cup winner Imperial Commander.


Henry de Bromhead has given his stable star Sizing Europe the green light to contest the Grade One.

Last season's Arkle winner has stepped up in trip this term, finishing second to China Rock at Punchestown before giving Kauto Star a fright at Down Royal.

Connections had been undecided about whether to let him travel over to England but they are keen to have another crack at the dual Gold Cup winner.

"We're certainly aiming at the King George with Sizing Europe, that's the plan at the moment," said De Bromhead.

"He came out of Down Royal fine and we were delighted with him that day. He seems great now so we'll aim for the King George."

Nicky Henderson has a strong team on paper with Burton Port, Long Run, Riverside Theatre, Mad Max and Punchestowns still engaged.


Forpadydeplasterer adds strength to the Irish challenge along with Tranquil Sea and Cooldine. Nacarat, Planet Of Sound and long-term absentee Noland are also still among the entries.

More From Mr Murphy

Big Fella Thanks remains firmly on course for a tilt at the Grand National in the spring despite crashing out in the Hennessy Gold Cup.

The eight-year-old was considered a major contender for the Newbury feature but only made it as far as the third fence before parting company with Graham Lee.

Ferdy reports his charge to be none the worse for that mishap and the remainder of his campaign will be geared around a trip to Aintree, where he finished fourth in the National last season.

"He's fine and he'll probably have a run over hurdles in January somewhere," said the West Witton handler.

"After that he'll probably go for the Greatwood Gold Cup at Newbury, which he won last year, before going back to Aintree for the National."

News From Ferdy

Ferdy Murphy will give Kalahari King an entry in the rearranged Keith Prowse Hospitality Tingle Creek Chase at Cheltenham on Saturday.

The nine-year-old made a creditable reappearance under top-weight at Kelso and his trainer immediately pinpointed Thursday's totesport.com Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon as his next objective.

But while that Grade Two contest is still his preferred target, Murphy said: "At this stage I would say it looks doubtful Huntingdon will be on, so we'll give him an entry in the Tingle Creek at Cheltenham."

The handler went on: "If Huntingdon is on, then he'll go there, but the Tingle Creek is an option as it will only be a small field and we know he likes Cheltenham.

"He's been to the beach at Redcar a couple of times recently and will go again in the next couple of days. He's in good form and should have improved for his first run at Kelso, just like all of ours improve for their first run."

Lingfield On!

This afternoon's meeting at Lingfield goes ahead after the track passed a 6am inspection.

Clerk of the course Neil MacKenzie Ross called the check due to the threat of snow but he reports no problems at the venue this morning.

He said: "We're absolutely fine, the track's fine and we're set fair for racing. The temperature now is minus 2.2C but we haven't had any snow, which was a possibility, so there are no problems."

Cheltenham Looking Hopeful

Clerk of the course Simon Claisse is confident this week's two-day fixture at Cheltenham will beat the cold snap after covering of the entire track began.

Temperatures are forecast to dip to minus 8C on Sunday night, but Claisse hopes the application of the covers will save the turf ahead of racing next Friday and Saturday.

"On the basis of our forecast and the covers being down I'm thoroughly optimistic for the weekend ahead," he said.

"It got down to minus 4C on Saturday night, which delayed the deployment of the covers - we had to push it back from 10am to 11.30am. We've brought in an extra two dozen people to get the job done by the time the weather starts to go off again at about 4pm.

"The beneficial thing from our point of view is that our soil temperature is still above 4C, whereas in January when we deployed the covers before it's only been somewhere between 2C-3C.

"Looking at the forecast for the week the worst frost is tonight (Sunday), which is at minus 8C on the ground, and then it's not so bad.

"Midweek, it's due to be minus 4C, with daytime temperatures of 1C-2C degrees, possibly getting a little bit warmer by the end of the week," Claisse told www.sportinglife.com.

News From Howard

Howard Johnson remains hopeful Tidal Bay can emerge a realistic Gold Cup contender when he heads to Cheltenham for next month's Cotswold Chase.

The nine-year-old was a brilliant winner of the Arkle Trophy at the 2008 Festival, but his form has since been very much up and down, with connections switching him back to hurdles with some success in recent times.

He returned to larger obstacles on his latest start in the Betfair Chase at Haydock and showed he retains all of his old ability when beating all bar reigning Gold Cup hero Imperial Commander. Johnson is keen to keep Tidal Bay over fences for the time being, and believes his charge is now better suited to a stiffer test of stamina.

"He's fine at the moment and we're looking at the race at Cheltenham in January for him," said Johnson.

"He's difficult to catch right but I think he needs extreme distance nowadays. He ran well at Haydock but he could really have done with another couple of furlongs.

"We'll see how he gets on next time but if he runs well we could think about the Gold Cup, because the race would suit him well and he loves running up that hill."

Johnson admits the current cold snap is causing plenty of problems at his County Durham base and hopes a break in the weather arrives sooner rather than later.

"I can't see there being any racing in the north for the next fortnight," Johnson continued.

"I bet we have up to two foot of snow in some places here. You can't really work the gallops when there is this much snow on them as you'll end up making them worse rather than better.

"We're just keeping them going in the indoor school. Let's hope things improve soon, as they were just coming into a rich vein of form."

Sedgey Off Too

Sedgefield's National Hunt meeting on Tuesday has fallen by the wayside.

The track is currently covered with snow and is frozen underneath, leaving clerk of the course Charlie Moore with no choice but to call the meeting off.

"Not surprisingly we've abandoned. We have 12 inches of snow on the track and it got down to minus 13C. There is a slight improvement in the forecast going forward but we'll have frost every night so the snow will not shift in time," said Moore.

Northern Meetings Off

Musselburgh's meeting on Monday is the latest to be abandoned due to the weather.

The Scottish venue has been hit by 26 centimetres of snow, meaning there is no chance of the meeting going ahead. Even if the course was raceable, concerns would be for racegoers and staff getting to the track.

"We've called racing off, there was nothing else we could do," said clerk of the course Harriet Graham.

"The slight window we had in the forecast has now disappeared. We had another two to three inches of snow last night and continue to have snow flurries. Even if we were raceable nobody could get here."

Tuesday's meeting at Sedgefield is already in major doubt with course officials announcing a noon inspection for Friday. The County Durham track is currently covered by 12 inches of snow and clerk of the course Charlie Moore admits there is little prospect of racing at this stage.

"We have 12 inches of snow on the course and we're going to need a significant rise in temperatures and some rain. If the rain did arrive and the snow cleared, then we would probably be waterlogged, so it's not looking great," said Moore.

"The snow would need to have cleared by 8am on Monday for us to have any chance of being ready to race on Tuesday and we have been covered with snow since Wednesday, November 24. Maybe a miracle will happen, but we need something along those lines at the moment."

Noel Optimistic

Noel Fehily has not given up hope of being fit to ride Kauto Star in the William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.

The jump jockey is to see a specialist this week and is optimistic the wrist he injured in a fall at Newbury on Friday is not as bad as first feared.

It was thought he might have suffered a break when taking a tumble from Rivaliste in a two-mile-one-furlong handicap chase. He was taken to Ridgeway Hospital in Swindon but because the wrist was badly swollen, X-rays proved inconclusive.

Fehily had only been given the call-up from trainer Paul Nicholls earlier in the week to replace the sidelined Ruby Walsh on Clive Smith's top-class chaser, who is seeking a record fifth successive win in the Christmas feature.

"It's not quite as bad as first thought, hopefully," Fehily told At The Races.

"When I was taken to hospital it wasn't very good, but I went back on Sunday morning and the doctor was a lot happier with it. Because it was so swollen at the time, they couldn't get a clear picture of it.

"I have to go back (on Tuesday) and hopefully I'll get a better prognosis then. I'm not really in pain. Since they strapped it up it's been a lot better, so I'm very hopeful it's not quite as bad as first thought. Straight away you are thinking how you can speed your recovery up.

"I'm very hopeful I'll be back to ride Kauto Star on Boxing Day. From what the specialist said on Sunday if we can keep it strapped up, keep the improvement and the swelling coming down, he's very hopeful he can have me back riding in two to three weeks which would be well before Christmas.

"At this time of year you don't want to be missing too much, but thankfully the weather is going to help me out a little bit!"

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

The recent cold spell is playing havoc with the National Hunt fixture list and the three scheduled jumps meetings on Thursday are all facing inspections.

Leicester and Market Rasen are having a look at 10am on Tuesday, while Wincanton aim to hold out until 24 hours later.

Leicester clerk of the course Jimmy Stevenson said: "We've got two inches of snow on the track and it is frozen in places underneath. The forecast is not brilliant. We've got the chance of more snow and then the temperatures for the whole of the week don't look like they are going to go above freezing."

Market Rasen clerk Sulekha Varma said: "There's about an inch to an inch and a half of snow on the track and we are frozen in places."

Wincanton officials want to give their card every opportunity of going ahead and will assess conditions at 10am on Wednesday.

"We've got 20% of the track that is frozen and we have a light covering of snow," said clerk of the course Barry Johnson.

"There's a school of thought we should probably inspect on Tuesday and knock it on the head if it's not raceable, but if we've got any glimmer of hope we will hold on. That's why we are going for Wednesday at 10am and it will be make or break. Things have got to improve by then."

It is a similar scene in Ireland with Wednesday's meeting at Navan cancelled due to snow and a further unfavourable weather forecast. Officials at Sandown admit their two-day meeting, featuring the Tingle Creek Chase on Saturday, could be in the balance unless conditions improve dramatically.

Clerk of the course Andrew Cooper told At The Races: "It's not looking great at this stage. We look like we are going to have below-freezing nights all week and Thursday night is looking particularly cold and daytime temperatures getting no higher than 1C or something like that.

"We have got frost in the ground at the moment so that has got to shift before we can really exude any optimism at all."

AP For SP?

Tony McCoy has made the final cut for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2010.

McCoy is on a shortlist of 10 for the coveted award, which will be announced at a live event at Birmingham's LG Arena on Sunday, December 19.

The 15-time champion jockey shot to the head of the betting for the accolade after winning the John Smith's Grand National at the 15th attempt aboard Don't Push It.

"From my point of view, it's a massive thing to be mentioned in the same breath as other sports stars, but I see it as a bigger honour for racing," said McCoy.

"Frankie Dettori is the biggest icon we have to offer, but if by me winning the Grand National means more people are interested in the sport, that can only be a good thing."

Ryder Cup heroes Lee Westwood and Graeme McDowell also feature in the nominations.

Westwood finished runner-up in The Masters and The Open on the way to taking the world number one spot from Tiger Woods, while McDowell became Europe's first US Open champion for 40 years.

The pair were also part of Europe's victorious Ryder Cup team at Celtic Manor.

Also on the shortlist are Jessica Ennis, who added the world pentathlon title and European heptathlon title to her world heptathlon title from last year, David Haye, who twice defended his world heavyweight title, most recently with a third-round stoppage of Audley Harrison, and Amy Williams, who won Britain's first individual Winter Olympics gold medal for 30 years with victory in the women's skeleton.

Mark Cavendish, won won five stages on the Tour de France, double Commonwealth diving gold medallist Tom Daley, England spinner Graeme Swann and darts great Phil Taylor complete the nominees.

Two More Off

The jumps fixtures at Southwell and Hereford on Tuesday have become the latest casualties of the cold snap.

With overnight temperatures having plummeted to minus 11C, the Southwell meeting was abandoned following an inspection on Sunday morning.

Clerk of the course Roderick Duncan said: "There was absolutely no hope, so we've called it a day already."

All is not lost at the Nottinghamshire venue, however, as a six-race Flat card on the all-weather will be formulated on the same afternoon.

Declarations to run must be made by 10am on Monday, with the first race due off at 1pm.

Duncan added: "The all-weather track is being well worked, and we're not anticipating any problems."

Hereford have called time as the track is heavily frozen. Officials saw little need to call an official inspection after overnight temperatures dropped to a shivering minus 11C.

Clerk of the course Keith Ottesen said: "We have no realistic chance of racing. Everybody knows we're in the grip of a freezing spell of weather, and will be for the foreseeable future. There is therefore little point in prevaricating an inevitability."

Ffos Las Off

Monday's jumps fixture at Ffos Las has been abandoned due to a frozen track.

Clerk of the course Tim Long made the inevitable decision upon inspecting conditions on Sunday morning, as overnight temperatures had dipped to minus 8C. There was no prospect of improvement on the horizon, so the cause was beyond hope.

Long said: "It's still minus 8C and there is frost under the covers. We are forecast a daytime high of 0C, following an overnight low of minus 6C."

He added: "There is no way the frost will come out of the ground by Monday, so it was pointless messing people around."

The remaining Monday fixtures are a jumps meeting at Folkestone, which must first survive an inspection, and an all-weather fixture at Wolverhampton.

Denman to be placed at least ...did you get the 6/1?

Paul Nicholls was noticeably moved by the Newbury crowd's appreciation of Denman after the former Gold Cup winner put up a gallant performance to finish third as he sought an unprecedented treble in the Hennessy Gold Cup.

Sent off the 4-1 favourite, Denman gave eventual winner Diamond Harry a real battle after being roared on by the crowd when he moved into contention on the back straight, and he got an ovation when he returned to be unsaddled.

"That was an outstanding run at the weights and I always thought Diamond Harry would be very hard to beat if he jumped," said Nicholls.

Peddlers...we told you to get on!

Peddlers Cross made the transition from novice company to the top table in the best possible style with a superb victory in the stanjames.com Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newbury.

Jason Maguire settled the Donald McCain-trained five-year-old in second place as Bygones Of Brid set the pace in the Grade One contest, and he took over the lead at the second-last flight.

Champion Hurdle hero Binocular threw down his challenge at the last but was soon dismissed and Peddlers Cross (9-4) was driven out to beat Starluck by a length and a quarter.

Maguire said: "He did it great, he's come up against the top league now and he's the star we thought we had.

"They've gone steady enough and I was at the front turning in. We always thought a stronger pace might be better, but that shows he's got the boot if he needs it.

"We discussed it (tactics) last night. You don't want to go too quick and shoot yourself in the foot, so I sent him on in the straight as we wanted to save a bit. I thought he picked up again after the last though.

"He was very good today, relaxed in the race, and if we can keep him in that frame of mind, that will help. I think he's definitely a Champion Hurdle horse."

McCain added: "We knew he was very good, but he was a novice last year and until you step up you don't really know.

"He's done everything we hoped. He's absolutely frightening - the speed he's got is phenomenal. I've never dealt with a horse like this, but we've got one now.

"We came here to find out if we are a championship two-miler and we are. He can only improve for Cheltenham, a bigger field and a stronger pace, but I wouldn't have a clue where we'll go next."

Denman Takes On 18

History-seeking Denman takes on 18 rivals in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury on Saturday.

The 2008 Gold Cup winner, trained by Paul Nicholls, is vying to become the first horse to win the prestigious handicap for a third time and put the finishing touches to his preparations with a Thursday morning blow-out alongside Big Buck's.


Nicholls told At The Races: "He did his last bit of work and went nicely. I was particularly happy with the way he looked in his coat."

He added: "He's bringing Gold Cup form into the race and that's very important. He's going to need a career-best to win - there are some fantastic horses to give weight to - but I couldn't be happier. He is ready."

Check For Mussleburgh

Officials at Musselburgh will stage a precautionary inspection at 7am ahead of their scheduled Friday fixture.

Conditions at the Scottish track are perfectly raceable at present and providing the forecast is correct, clerk of the course Anthea Morshead is confident racing will go ahead.

"We're just having a look to be on the safe side but we'll race if the forecast is right," said Morshead.

"We could race today with no problems and we are only due to get down to minus 1C overnight.

"It is then set to rise to plus 4C. We have no snow at the moment and we should keep missing the snow.

"We'll be covering vulnerable areas of the track with frost sheets just in case, so we're optimistic."

Fingers Crossed For Gosforth Park

Newcastle's high-profile Saturday meeting is in serious doubt with officials deciding to call an 8am inspection for Friday morning.

Gosforth Park is due to stage the Grade One Fighting Fifth Hurdle this weekend but with over five inches of snow currently laying on top of the frost covers, clerk of the course James Armstrong is pessimistic.

"If the weather continues as it has in the last 24 hours we may look to bring things forward, but at the moment we're holding an inspection at 8am on Friday," said Armstrong.

"We've got certainly five inches of snow on the track and the last time I check it's 0.1C, so it's not going to shift in a great hurry.

"We're very overcast an dark and forecasters are telling us unfortunately we will see more snow showers moving in from the north east coast.

"It's looking quite bleak at the moment. It's very hard to optimistic when you're walking around in ankle deep snow."

Uttoxeter Gets Go Ahead

This afternoon's meeting at Uttoxeter goes ahead after passing an 8.30am inspection.

Course temperatures dipped to minus 3C overnight but clerk of the course Charlie Moore is delighted to report the fleece that was laid on the track has done its job.

"It's good news and racing goes ahead. The sun is out and the forecasters assure me temperatures will rise to plus 3C," said Moore.

"The fleece we had down has done a fantastic job. Where we didn't have any fleece down the course is quite crispy and you wouldn't have been happy to have racing on, but under the fleece, it's top dollar."

Rock Misses Out

China Rock has been ruled out of Saturday's Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury after suffering a minor setback.

The seven-year-old had been well supported after Barry Geraghty was booked for the ride, but trainer Mouse Morris has revealed he will now miss out.

The trainer said: "I had to make a final decision and I just wasn't 100% happy with him. It's not a season-ending injury or anything like that, he's just going to have to miss this one."

Fighting Fifth Withdrawal

Robbie Hennessy has ruled Sublimity out of a third crack at the StanJames.com Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle this weekend.

The 10-year-old chased home Go Native at Gosforth Park 12 months ago and was a narrow second to Punjabi when the race was rearranged and run at Wetherby in 2008, but with the ground likely to be soft if the meeting beats the forecast frost, Hennessy believes there is little point sending his charge across the Irish Sea.

The handler said: "We've decided we're not going to send him this year. I was talking to James Armstrong (Newcastle clerk of the course) and he says the ground is soft. And with the frost sheets they are putting down, there is no chance the ground is going to dry out at all."

He added: "It's hard enough taking on these horses on good ground, so there is no point taking them on when it's soft.

"The meeting might not even be on at all if the forecast is near right. It was called off a couple of years ago when we went over and it was a long journey there and back.

"We have him in at Fairyhouse on Saturday (Ryans Cleaning Event Specialists Hurdle), so we'll walk the track Friday morning and if we're happy with the ground, he might take his chance."

Inspection At Uttoxeter

Uttoxeter's fixture today is subject to an 8.30am precautionary inspection on raceday morning.

Track officials have adopted a prudent stance due to the prospect of another overnight frost.

Clerk of the course Charlie Moore said: "We have fleece covered all across the track and, at the moment, it is encouraging. Temperatures are due to get to between minus 2C and minus 3C but we would have been raceable today, so I'm cautiously optimistic."

More From Donald McCain

Donald McCain could not be happier with his star turn Peddlers Cross as he prepares to put his unbeaten record on the line in the stanjames.com Fighting Fifth Hurdle.

The five-year-old enjoyed a fantastic novice campaign, culminating in big-race wins at the Cheltenham and Aintree Festivals in the spring.

He is set to test his Champion Hurdle credentials against reigning champion Binocular at Newcastle this weekend and his trainer admits he is beginning to feel the nerves.

"He's in good form and ready to go. We're looking forward to Saturday, but I think exciting is the wrong word for it," said the trainer.

"It's a massive step up for us, but the horse is in good nick. It's a track we know fairly well and we've got to take on horses like Binocular at some point, so we might as well find out where we stand.

"He worked well at Bangor a couple of weeks ago and we do think he has plenty of pace.

"We wouldn't want a slowly-run race, as it was last year, but there's not an awful lot we can do about that. All we can do is get the horse to the races fit and well and see what happens.

"This has been the target for a while and it seems an obvious place to start. We'll see what happens this weekend and we can make a plan from there."

McCain has left the door open for his charge to travel to Ireland to contest Sunday's Hatton's Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse should Newcastle's meeting be beaten by the predicted cold snap and heavy rain.

But he continued: "The problem is any decisions on Newcastle would end up being made a little bit too close, but we've left him in the Hatton's Grace just in case."

News From The Gallops

Ferdy Murphy believes the fact Graham Lee can ride at 10 stone is a big positive for the chances of Big Fella Thanks in Saturday's Hennessy Gold Cup.

The Harry Findlay-owned eight-year-old was formerly trained by Paul Nicholls and made an excellent start for his new handler when narrowly beaten by Hey Big Spender at Carlisle earlier this month.

He travelled like the winner before wandering around after hitting the front on the run-in and Murphy expects his stable jockey to arrive late on the scene in Newbury's weekend feature.

"We're happy with him and all his preparation has gone well," said Murphy.

"He was a bit unlucky at Carlisle as he got to the front too soon, but that won't happen again I shouldn't think as Graham will drop in and bring him late.

"Graham can do 10 stone no problem, which is a big plus for us and the drier the week we have, the better for him."

Donald "Bullish" About Wymott

Wymott could have his next run over fences over an extended two and a half miles in the One Man Novices' Chase at Wetherby on Saturday week.

The six-year-old made a good impression in his first race over the bigger obstacles when putting in a fine round of jumping and making all the running to beat Pearlysteps by four lengths at Bangor.

"I was thrilled with him. He's always schooled the same. He's one of those horses we expect to jump well and he was very eyecatching," trainer Donald McCain told At The Races.

"We might give him another run over two and a half miles in the One Man at Wetherby or something like that. He's exciting."

Emma Lavelle And Sam Thomas On Bouggler

Bouggler became eligible for an enticing £60,000 Cheltenham Festival bonus after starting off on a winning note over fences at Plumpton.

Should Emma Lavelle's smart hurdler graduate from the Hepworth Conqueror Stout Novices' Chase to success next March, connections will be rewarded as part of a season-long SIS incentive at the East Sussex course.

The 1-2 favourite was ponderous at times and as they turned for home, Have You Seen Me looked to have his measure. But the five-year-old found a useful change of gear after the final fence, with Lavelle believing there are several reasons why he can be seen in a more favourable light in the future.


"Sam Thomas said he'd be better on a more galloping track and he has had a good blow there," reported the trainer.

"He saves a bit for himself at home and he's entitled to have a lot of improvement in him. He was just short of top class over hurdles but he looks like a jumper now - his jumping was very sound. I expect we'll find another novice race somewhere but it's nice to know we can think about Cheltenham."

Lavelle has understandably not drawn up specific targets, but added: "He is a year older, but the feeling we had was that he didn't quite get three miles over hurdles. I would think two miles, five would be about his best trip."

More News From Willie

Willie Mullins expressed delight after Mikael D'Haguenet and Hurricane Fly came through a racecourse gallop with flying colours.

Mikael D'Haguenet has been sidelined since the spring of 2009 when he won Grade One novice hurdles at the Cheltenham and Punchestown Festivals.

He delighted connections in a schooling session over fences after racing at Punchestown and will soon soon begin a novice chase campaign, with the Bar One Racing Drinmore Novice Chase at Fairyhouse on Sunday week a possible starting point.

"Mikael rode out on Monday morning and seems fine, so we're very pleased," said Mullins.

Mullins Checks Out Options

Willie Mullins is eyeing a step up to Grade One company with Zaidpour following his hugely impressive display at Punchestown on Saturday.

The four-year-old was snapped up to run in juvenile events last season, but was forced to miss the campaign after suffering a cut to his leg. However, the half-brother to top-class hurdler Zaynar looks intent on making up for lost time, judging by his brilliant Irish debut at the weekend.

Oxx Over The Moon!

John Oxx is looking forward to renewing his association with Johnny Murtagh after the jockey was retained to ride all of the Aga Khan's Irish-trained horses in 2011.

Murtagh was stable jockey for Oxx between 1992-2003, during which time he rode 18 Group One winners for one of the world's leading owners. Most memorably he guided Oxx's Sinndar to victory in the Epsom Derby, the Irish Derby and the Arc in 2000, and is now back in the job following his resignation as number one for Coolmore last week.

"Myself and Johnny have obviously had a very successful association over the years and when Johnny announced that he was leaving Ballydoyle, His Highness was keen to renew that old association," said Oxx, who has 90 horses in training for the Aga Khan.

Murtaghs Swansong Yields Honours

Johnny Murtagh's Ballydoyle swansong yielded Group One honours when Recital won the Criterium de Saint-Cloud in France.

The outgoing Coolmore-retained rider was calmness personified on Aidan O'Brien's colt, who was preserving his unbeaten record following a debut success at Navan.

Anchored towards the rear of the field early on, the Montjeu colt slowly warmed to his task before being delivered with a decisive late burst under his jockey's urgings, beating Bubble Chic by five lengths.

Recital was giving O'Brien a fourth Criterium success in the last 10 years and had stable companion Exodus back in fourth.

Dougie Does Well

Midnight Chase was a joy to watch in giving Dougie Costello a quick double in the Morson Group Handicap Chase at Cheltenham.

Raised 9lb for an easy win at the course last month, the Neil Mulholland-trained eight-year-old (8-1) jumped from fence to fence at the head of affairs.

Junior was in second throughout but could never get on terms to land a blow, while Any Currency stayed on from a long way back to fill the runner-up berth, eight lengths away from the impressive winner.

Irish National winner Bluesea Cracker travelled well for a long way before tiring into fourth.

Mulholland said: "We were due to come back here in December, but there's a possibility we might have to go out of handicaps now. We were hoping he could improve and he has done.

"I've stood in the same spot in the weighing room for his last three wins now and I like to keep things the same if I can.

"I'm lucky I've got a good jockey on board so I don't have to worry about things too much, but I got more of a thrill watching that than I ever did riding.

"We'll definitely be looking to come back here some time - he loves it at Cheltenham."

Costello, who also won on Wayward Prince, added: "He's a specialist around here - he hits the hill here and finds an extra gear. Neil is a serious trainer and has done marvellous with this horse."

Davy Russell Does The Business

Davy Russell landed a treble at Punchestown initiated when Rubi Light made it three from three over fences with an all-the-way success in the Active Retirement Days Handicap Chase.

Robbie Hennessy's charge (5-2 favourite) impressed with his jumping to score in the style of a progressive performer.

The trainer said: "He may be better over further, but he can't go down the novice route as he won over fences in France before we bought him. He'll probably run next at Leopardstown over Christmas in either a handicap or a Listed chase."

Russell followed up on Magnanimity, who reversed the form of his fencing debut with fellow 9-4 joint-favourite Arabella Boy in the G.A.A. Fundraisers Beginners Chase.

Dessie Hughes's six-year-old wasn't entirely foot-perfect but still proved two lengths too strong, and is also bound for Leopardstown over the Festive period.

Hughes said: "He really needs three miles and did well to win over two and a half today. He goes on heavy ground and is a nice long-distance novice chasing prospect. He'll go for a three-mile novice chase at Leopardstown next."

The Gigginstown Stud colours were back in the winner's enclosure after Gordon Elliott's long-term absentee Beautiful Sound (5-1) completed the treble for Russell in the Thoroughbred Trails Handicap Chase.

The jockey looked like making it four as Days Ahead swung into the straight cruising behind the front-running Silas Mariner (9-4) in the Punchestown Christmas Market 3-Y-O Hurdle.

But Sabrina Harty's leader pulled out all the stops and held the staying-on Accidental Outlaw by three-quarters of a length, with Days Ahead only third.

The winner handler said: "Although he front-runs, he is quite idle and only picks up when others come to him. You never know how much he has left because of that. He'll make a very nice horse next year."

Sam Winner Wins!

The flowering partnership between Paul Nicholls and Noel Fehily in the absence of the injured Ruby Walsh continued apace at Cheltenham when Sam Winner ran out an easy victor of the JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial.

Making his British debut, having earlier this year finished second three times in his native France, Sam Winner (4-1) tracked wide throughout.

When the race began in earnest three flights from home, Fehily gave the youngster an inch of rein and he came down the stands rail to power clear of Grandouet by 15 lengths.

Hughes Misses Out

Richard Hughes was forced to endure a highly frustrating day in his quest to catch Paul Hanagan in the race for the jockeys' championship.

Starting proceedings three behind the long-time leader, Hughes travelled to Nottingham in the afternoon for seven rides, making just Spring Secret count in the B&M Installations Handicap to reduce the arrears.

While Hanagan was not in action at a murky Colwick Park, the pair were due to go head-to-head under the floodlights at Kempton in the evening.

However, adverse weather conditions forced helicopter problems for Hughes and he failed to make it Sunbury for any of his six booked rides, having been left with an ultimately futile bid to travel by road.

The only consolation for Hughes was that none of his intended mounts got home in front, and Hanagan never really looked like extending his lead.

News On Tidal Bay

oward Johnson will make a decision on targets for Tidal Bay after he makes his return to action in the John Smith's Hurdle at Wetherby.

The nine-year-old appeared to be losing his way over fences during the first half of last season and the decision to switch back to the smaller obstacles paid off as he secured victory in the Cleeve Hurdle and put in decent efforts at the Cheltenham Festival and at Aintree.

"He's ready for a run and we've decided to stick over hurdles for his first run. We'll see how he gets on and then we'll make our minds up whether we're going to stick over hurdles or go back over fences," said Johnson.

"He likes good ground so that will suit him, but Nicky Henderson's horse (Duc De Regniere) will be hard to beat. We have to give him 8lb as well, so it's going to be difficult, but we'll still run our horse and see how we get on."

Ooooh It`s Tight!

A dramatic day in the jockeys' title race saw Paul Hanagan head into the penultimate weekend of the Flat season with a lead of five over Richard Hughes.

Leading by six at the start of play, Hanagan watched as the gallant Hughes reduced the arrears to four with a double at Newmarket, which included Listed-race success on Sweet Cecily for the Richard Hannon team.

Hanagan was not in action at Newmarket, but hit back at the Wolverhampton evening meeting with a double to Hughes's solitary winner.

The northern-based rider struck when taking the first at the all-weather track on 7-2 favourite Whispering Gallery for Ann Duffield.


And it did not take Hanagan long to notch his brace and take the gap back to six with a superb ride on One Cool Bex (11-4 joint-favourite) for Newmarket handler Charlie McBride.

Hanagan was then agonisingly denied in the extended two-mile handicap, in which Hughes had a very lucky escape as he was unshipped from Pearl, crashing to the floor but thankfully walking away unharmed from what was a spare ride.

An enthralling few hours ended with Hughes landing an across-the-card treble as he drove Star Links (11-2) home in the final race of the night to deny the Hanagan-ridden Nicholas Pocock. Hanagan sits on 183 winners to Hughes on 178.