Grand National Update

David Pipe has a strong team assembled for the John Smith's Grand National at Aintree and is likely to top-weight Madison Du Berlais take his chance on Merseyside.

The trainer also has Comply Or Die, The Package, Pablo Du Charmil, Piraya, Faasel and Over The Creek entered in the world's most famous race.

Pipe said: "At the present moment we're leaning towards the National for Madison Du Berlais, but he is in the Scottish National and it makes it very interesting that Denman is likely to run with top weight."

He added: "We will also have him entered at Punchestown and may also enter him for the race he won last year at Aintree (totesport Bowl) as well.

"Piraya will run as well. He needs a few to come out but hopefully he'll get in. Pablo Du Charmil is a possibility as well but we're still waiting to school them over the big fences."

Leading owner David Johnson could be represented by 2008 winner and last year's second Comply Or Die - as well as Cheltenham Festival runner-up The Package. Pipe admits jockey Timmy Murphy, who partnered Comply Or Die in the last two Nationals, has a difficult decision to make.

"They are both in good order and Comply obviously has the form round there, having finished second last year and winning the year before that," the trainer told At The Races.

"The Package is more of an unknown quantity but he ran a great race at Cheltenham and would have won in another five strides. He's due to go up 6lb so he's 6lb well-in in the National.

"You never know whether he's going to stay that marathon trip but with the way he races and the way he jumps, I'd be surprised if he didn't. Comply Or Die is in good form and ran well at Cheltenham. He got tired at the top of the hill but the run has brought him on a lot.

"He's not a horse who does a lot at home but he still shows all the same enthusiasm and I'm sure when he gets to Aintree he'll be lit up. It's a very tough decision for Timmy and I know he's thinking long and hard about it."

11/4 Cavitie WINNER!

11/4 Cavitie WINNER! Follows 11/2>5/1 La Capriosa WINNER!

Message this morning..."La Capriosa S`well 3.30 Front runner who won 5 times during a very busy 2009 campaign. Hasn't been firing of late but is starting to look well handicapped (now 5 lb lower than when last successful) 5.35 Cavitie ran best race when fourth in ...C&D handicap on recent reappearance, though fact he hung violently left that day was a bit disconcerting" (single and double bets advised)...I told you!

11/2>5/1 La Capriosa WINNER!

Message this morning..."La Capriosa S`well 3.30 Front runner who won 5 times during a very busy 2009 campaign. Hasn't been firing of late but is starting to look well handicapped (now 5 lb lower than when last successful)...Hooh Hah!

Opportunity To Get Our Money Back...Air Force One To Run At Sandown or Perth

Air Force One has the bet365 Gold Cup as his favoured objective after trainer Charlie Mann decided against taking up either of the chaser's National entries.

Mann put the chestnut in both the Powers Whiskey Irish Grand National and the John Smith's Grand National, but is instead looking at the final big race of the jumps season at Sandown, or otherwise an event at Perth.

Air Force One has not had a straightforward season. After finishing a distant third in the Aon Chase, he unseated his rider early on at Doncaster and then fell in a conditions chase at Down Royal on March 17 (I backed it heavily that day...snarl, snarl)

"I think the ground will be too soft for him in Ireland and after what happened in the last two races, he won't be going to Aintree," said Mann.

"I would think he will probably go for the bet365, otherwise there is a race at Perth.

"It was a shame what happened at Down Royal last time, (tell me about it!) but these things happen. I think he would have won (get away!) and it rather messed up our plans, but he seems fine now."

Southwell Selections...TWO "Strong Fancies"!

La Capriosa 3.30 Front runner who won 5 times during a very busy 2009 campaign. Hasn't been firing of late but is starting to look well handicapped (now 5 lb lower than when last successful)

5.35 Cavitie ran best race when fourth in C&D handicap on recent reappearance, though fact he hung violently left that day was a bit disconcerting

G` Luck!

Market Rasen Review

t was a day of doubles for the Malcolm Jefferson team at Market Rasen, with half-sisters Pokanoket and Issaquah gaining all-the-way victories in the hands of stable conditional James Halliday.

The former (8-1) set the ball rolling in the Host Your Hen Party Here Mares' Handicap Hurdle, making all the running to pass the post with eight lengths to spare over Another Storm.

"They said she was a bit soft because she kept finishing second, but she is a tough filly and she does not mind soft ground," said the trainer.

"I may run her now in the three-mile mares race, a handicap at Ayr's Scottish National meeting, and it won't be too long before she goes chasing."

Jefferson and Halliday completed their quickfire brace - the latter's first double - when Issaquah (5-1) led all the way in the Weatherbys Bank Handicap Hurdle, galloping on strongly to score by six lengths after several challengers bunched up going to the second-last.

The trainer added: "Issaquah did it well. She quickened up again when they came at her and she will probably go for the boys race at Liverpool (John Smith's Handicap Hurdle). She finished second in it last year."

Mac Aeda was 11-10 favourite to complete a hat-trick for the duo in the Market Rasen Racecourse Caravan Site 'NH' Novices' Hurdle, but could finish only third to Laureldean River (9-4).

Ridden by Keith Mercer, Steve Gollings' charge was another to make all the running, although he had to dig deep from the last to hold off Kellystown Lad by one and a quarter lengths.

Brave Rebellion (7-1) took his winning haul into double figures under a good ride from trainer Keith Reveley's son James in the Weatherbys Bloodstock Insurance Handicap Chase, going to the front three out and resisting Raduis Bleu's rally by two and three-quarter lengths.

Keith Reveley said: "Brave Rebellion has a little bit of a kink - last year he got into the habit of refusing at the last fence. It was a real bad habit and I thought he might do it again, but James is quite strong and made his mind up for him and got him home."

20/1 PLACED Selection Carries On The WINNING Run!

Great returns recently from our "Each Way" betting advice! Yesterday, "4.00 Towc. "Stamina is his forte and therefore this course, and easy ground, will be to his advantage." Carl Llewellyn about C'monthehammers"...20/1 THIRD!

Follows the weekend success with both Smokey Oakey 25/1 advised and Mull of Killough 11/1 in the Lincoln.

More to come!

Ferdy Update

Ferdy Murphy has his eyes on two of the big end-of-season staying handicap chases for Poker De Sivola and Galant Nuit.

Poker De Sivola is on course for the Coral Scottish Grand National at Ayr on April 17 after his victory in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham.

Galant Nuit put himself in the frame for the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown the following Saturday thanks to finishing third in the Kim Muir, also at the Festival.

"Poker De Sivola will go for the Scottish National and Galant Nuit will go for the bet365 at Sandown. If we got a bit of ease in the ground that would be ideal for him (Galant Nuit)"

"The Scottish National would give us a little bit more time with Poker De Sivola. At the moment he's come out of the race great.

"He's gone up 11lb in the handicap so he's sure to get into the Scottish National, so we'll probably go that way."

1.495/1 Four Timer!

Paul Hanagan made a blistering start to the campaign as he collected a 1,495-1 four-timer at Doncaster.

Three of those came for Richard Fahey, whose Irish Heartbeat could be a pretty formidable force once the trainer gets to grips with him judged by his victory in the curtain-raising William Hill Spring Mile.

An acquisition from David Myerscough via Newmarket sales, the well-backed 4-1 favourite sliced through the pack with ease and although he only just saw out the trip, with Sohcahtoa closing to within a head, there was the impression of more to come.

Joint-owner Mark Leatham said: "He had been running in sprints but was bred to get a mile. They say he has a very good temperament, and it was the perfect outcome. The Newbury Spring Cup would be the obvious one now."

The first two-year-old heat, the williamhill.com - Play Poker Brocklesby Stakes, also went Fahey and Hanagan's way.

Chiswick Bey (6-1) showed a telling turn of foot down the middle of the track and held on by a head from Bill Turner's well-drilled Lady Brookie.

Owner Norman Steel said: "It is a very special race to win. Richard Fahey rang us last Sunday and said he had one of our horses in the Brocklesby.

"We said we were going on holiday to Las Vegas on Thursday, but he said to cancel it and come to the races. He's a very nice horse and we had to fight hard to get him."

A wonderful afternoon for the pair continued as Red Jade (7-2 joint-favourite) drew away in division one of the williamhill.com - Play Bingo Handicap.

Nice Little Earner!

Smokey Oakey 25/1>20/1 and Mull Of Killough 11/1, my two Ante-Post Lincoln selections BOTH placed...hooh hah!

My Lincoln Ante-Post Selections

John Spearing is hoping the forecast rain will boost Mull Of Killough's (10/1) chances.

The handler said: "I am pleased with his progress through the winter and it is a case of so far so good. He likes a bit of give in the ground...he is definitely better with a bit of cut so this rain that is around will all be on his side.

"It is always difficult to say if they have improved from three to four until you run them but Mull Of Killough's work is very good and he has had no interruptions or hold ups. He is working well at home and that is as much as I can say, really."

Mark Tompkins will be eagerly monitoring the weather forecast for Doncaster as he puts the finishing touches to Smokey Oakey's (25/1) William Hill Lincoln preparation.

"More rain would always help us a bit and it looks like there are some more bands of rain coming in, so at this stage he's a definite runner.

Lincoln Update...Dods Pessimistic

Ante-post favourite Penitent is among a maximum field of 22 for the William Hill Lincoln at Doncaster on Saturday. The four-year-old, the mount of Johnny Murtagh, will bid to give William Haggas a third success in the valuable handicap on the opening day of the turf Flat season. However, second favourite Manassas has been taken out and will not attempt to follow up his victory in last year's Spring Mile.

The Chris Dwyer-trained Mia's Boy, fourth 12 months ago, heads the weights on 9st 10lb. Leading Yorkshire trainer Richard Fahey has five runners - Extraterrestrial, Albaqaa, Harrison George, Mister Hardy and Prime Exhibit - as he tries to win the Lincoln for the first time.

Smokey Oakey, who won the race two years ago, is also engaged.

The first horse out of the draw, made in the At The Races studio in London, was Collateral Damage in stall 16. Penitent is on the far side in stall one, while other fancied horses with single figure draws include Extraterrestrial (3), Prime Exhibit (5) and Mia's Boy (6).

On the opposite side of the track in stall 22 is Doctor Crane, trained by John Gosden, who sent out Expresso Star to win last March.

Michael Dods is happy with the middle draw for Tiger Reigns after the four-year-old was handed stall 13 in a maximum field of 22 for the prestigious handicap. However, Dods fears his charge may not be as razor sharp as some of the opposition trained in the south because of the harsh winter.

"He's probably not as forward as some of the southern horses as the weather's been cold up here," said the Darlington trainer.

"He's a horse that will be better in about three or four weeks time, but he's in good form and he'll enjoy the ground. He's well but he'll improve for warmer weather. He's fit enough. He's drawn 13 which is not the worst place to be, Phillip (Makin) can choose where he wants to go."

Fallon Latest

Owner David Reynolds has been formally charged by the British Horseracing Authority with two breaches of the Rules of racing in relation to his altercation with Kieren Fallon at Lingfield last Saturday.

Reynolds will attend a hearing on Monday, March 29 for his actions following the Sportingbet Support Heros "Super 7" Handicap. The owner of The Scorching Wind, the 3-1 favourite who eventually finished ninth, approached Fallon, the rider of last-placed Elna Bright in the unsaddling enclosure.

He is reported to have punched Fallon in the face as well as striking Elna Bright's owner Peter Crate on the side of the face. In his conduct, Reynolds may also be found guilty of Rule (A)30, acting in a way which was likely to, and did, prejudice the integrity, proper conduct and good reputation of racing.

For carrying out violent conduct to a jockey or owner, the worst-case scenario would be a year's ban from racing, while the second charge carries with it a heavy fine or even a three-year suspension.

7/1 WINNER!

Great info`, great advice, great price, great result! Kempt 19.50 1st (5) Jake The Snake 7/1 2nd (7) Dinner Date 11/2 3rd (3) Caprio 11/4 Fav...Hooh Hah!

Lincoln Update

Richard Fahey is assembling a strong team for Saturday's William Hill Lincoln at Doncaster with Extraterrestrial, Albaqaa and Harrison George all heading for the Town Moor highlight.

Albaqaa and Extraterrestrial were third and fourth respectively in the Lincoln Trial at Wolverhampton earlier in the month, while Harrison George is set for his first start since running at York in October.

"It's going to be tough for Extraterrestrial off 100 and he has never won off 100 in his life, but I was pleased with his run at Wolverhampton the other day," said Fahey.

"Albaqaa is in good order and I think Paul (Hanagan) will probably ride him. We think he's probably a better horse over a mile and a quarter but the Lincoln is a race where you've got to get home, especially if it's soft ground.

"The trip is the question mark over Harrison George so we'll just have to see with him. He's never run over a mile before but he has gone very laid back, so hopefully he will stay. We've also got Mister Hardy, Prime Exhibit and Irish Heartbeat entered but I don't think they'll get in."

Chepstow will stage a precautionary inspection...

Officials at Chepstow will stage a precautionary inspection at 7am ahead of Thursday's meeting due to the threat of further rain.

Conditions at the Welsh venue are already described as heavy and clerk of the course Keith Ottesen has decided to call an early-morning check to be on the safe side.

He said: "There has been a change in the forecast and we could get quite a bit more rain tonight than was originally forecast. We've had four millimetres already today and could get as much as eight millimetres more overnight, so we'll have a look in the morning and see where we are."

Commander A Runner

Nigel Twiston-Davies has confirmed he plans to run new Cheltenham Gold Cup champion Imperial Commander in the totesport Bowl at Aintree on Thursday week.

The nine-year-old emerged from the shadow of Kauto Star and Denman on Friday to enhance his already brilliant record at Prestbury Park.

"He is 100% and there is no bother on him. We will see what happens, but the plan is to bring him up to Aintree to run in the totesport Bowl," said Twiston-Davies.

"He has always been a good horse and he proved it on Friday."

Joining him on the wagon will be Champion Hurdle runner-up Khyber Kim, who will step up in trip for the John Smith's Aintree Hurdle on Grand National day.

"Khyber Kim will run in the Aintree Hurdle. He seems to be in good form and if Binocular is there we will take him on again," said the trainer.

"It was a great day at Cheltenham, especially with Baby Run winning for Sam (Twiston-Davies), and he will come to Aintree for the Fox Hunters'."

Twiston-Davies has also set his sights on the Grand National, having won it twice before, and has seven left in - Beat The Boys, Irish Raptor, Hello Bud, Ollie Magern, Razor Royale, Ballyfitz and Knowhere.

"We could run the lot if they are OK," he said. "I am very excited about Irish Raptor's chances, I think he has got round (the National fences) five or six times and if he runs like he did in the Topham, he would have a very good chance.

"Hello Bud led a long way the other day but tired in the closing stages. I thought he ran a hell of a race. Ollie Magern is down to a weight he could win off and I hope Razor Royale gets in. The extra mile and a half is going to suit him."

Grand National News

Last year's winner Mon Mome features among 75 horses remaining in the John Smith's Grand National following the latest entry stage.

The 10-year-old landed the Aintree spectacular as a 100-1 shot last season, but will be a fraction of those odds this time having finished a tremendous third in last week's Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Ryanair Chase winner Albertas Run was a notable scratching, but both Madison du Berlais and Notre Pere remain at the head of the weights with 11st 10lb.

Mon Mome will carry 11st 7lb should those two stand their ground, but trainer Venetia Williams will not be too concerned if the weights rise.

"At the end of the day, it's only a matter of 3lb, it's not the be all and end all. Three pounds is not a major difference in the great scheme of things," she said.

"His preparation has gone a lot better than it did last year and we have got a blueprint to follow. We were all very buoyed by what we saw him do at Cheltenham.

"It might have been a bit cheeky running in the Gold Cup as a prep race for the National, but there was £50,000 for third place and we were delighted with what he did. The hill at Cheltenham compensated for the extra mile he will get in the National."

Big Fella Thanks and Tricky Trickster remain among the Aintree possibles for Paul Nicholls, while Dessie Hughes has two leading chances with Vic Venturi and Black Apalachi. But also taken out were 2006 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner War Of Attrition, Taranis and Possol.

Handicapper Phil Smith believes Cheltenham Festival winner Chief Dan George is best-in at the weights, but he is in 57th position on the list and needs 17 to come out to get a run.

Smith said: "He has won twice since I did the weights and would be 12lb higher now. The only problem is he has a 50-50 chance of getting in."

Smokey Oakey To Have Another Go

Mark Tompkins will be eagerly monitoring the weather forecast for Doncaster as he puts the finishing touches to Smokey Oakey's William Hill Lincoln preparation.

Part-owned by Dame Judi Dench, the six-year-old will be bidding for his second win in the race having taken the honours in 2008.

He won the Group Three Brigadier Gerard Stakes later that season, but found life hard thereafter and Tompkins is hoping that, after finally being given some respite by the handicapper, he can show his old sparkle.

"He's come down a bit from his peak when he won the Lincoln and Brigadier Gerard, from 110 to 97, so we thought we'd have another go," said the trainer.

"More rain would always help us a bit and it looks like there are some more bands of rain coming in, so at this stage he's a definite runner.

"Last year he was very high up the handicap and he's not a very big horse so he found life tough. He's quite ground-dependent too.

"We've also got Marvo. He won't get in the Lincoln, but he might get in the Spring Mile. He improved all last year and I'll be hoping he has another good year, but he hasn't quite come in his coat like I'd want him to.

"He's in good enough form and I'm hoping he'll have a good enough season again. He likes a bit of easier ground, but he did win at Doncaster last year on fastish ground. He's a horse we've always liked.

"He's rated 82, which would have got in the Lincoln easy enough in the old days, but these days to get into any of these heritage handicaps you've got to be rated 90-plus."

Lincoln Update

Chris Dwyer is expecting a big run from Mia's Boy despite his runner being left on top weight in the William Hill Lincoln at Doncaster on Saturday.

The six-year-old has been left to shoulder the steadier of 9st 10lb in the prestigious handicap on the first day of the turf season after last year's winner Expresso Star was not among 76 acceptors at the five-day stage.

"Mia's Boy has top-weight but he'll be going there in good form. I was very pleased with his run at Wolverhampton and he has come out of that fine," said the Newmarket trainer.

"He has always run well at Doncaster so hopefully that will continue on Saturday. He just wants nice ground. Good or good to soft would be fine but I would not like it to get heavy because that would just blunt his speed."

John Spearing is hoping the forecast rain will boost Mull Of Killough's chances (my each way selection)

The handler said: "I am pleased with his progress through the winter and it is a case of so far so good. He likes a bit of give in the ground - he is definitely better with a bit of cut so this rain that is around will all be on his side.

"It is always difficult to say if they have improved from three to four until you run them but Mull Of Killough's work is very good and he has had no interruptions or hold ups. He is working well at home and that is as much as I can say, really."

More Aintree News

Donald McCain admits he is tempted to head to Aintree with Peddlers Cross after he maintained his unbeaten record in the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham on Wednesday.

The five-year-old was stepping up in trip at the Festival following an impressive victory over an extended two miles at Haydock, but he bounded up the hill to win a shade cosily.

McCain said: "He's come out of it in tremendous nick and he doesn't know what to do with himself. We'll sit down and have a week to think about what we do next but the way he's come out of it at the moment, Aintree would be very tempting."

He added: "Although we had a good think about which race we were going to run in at Cheltenham, we always thought two and a half miles round Aintree would be ideal.

"Having won at Cheltenham we don't have to do anything now and we won't be going to Aintree for the sake of it."

As far as next season goes, McCain is still undecided whether to send his five-year-old over fences or remain over the smaller obstacles.

"I see he's got quotes for the Champion Hurdle, the World Hurdle, the Arkle and the RSA Chase - I'm glad everyone else is as confused as me," the trainer added.

"All those are up in the air at the moment, we've won our race at Cheltenham and that's our job done for the time being, we've got plenty of time to decide on everything else.

"He's the first Grade One horse we've had and as he's still young you'd expect him to keep improving.

"That was the first time he's really come off the bridle the other day and looking at the way he's come out of the race, we've certainly not got to the bottom of him, so it's very, very exciting."

Aintree Target For The Commander?

Nigel Twiston-Davies is considering giving Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Imperial Commander another run this season.

The Gloucestershire trainer was thrilled with his magnificent performance in beating Denman at Prestbury Park, and believes there could be another major prize for the taking.

"Nothing is set in stone, but I would very much like to go to Liverpool, and without Kauto and Denman it would be a penalty kick," said Twiston-Davies at the new champion's homecoming.

"I need to discuss it with the owners and we may call it a day with him. Next year everything will be geared around winning the Gold Cup again."

Imperial Commander was picked up for £30,000 after winning a point-to-point in Northern Ireland in 2005 and connections always believed he would develop into a blue riband contender.

Twiston-Davies went on: "We always thought he was a Gold Cup horse and we were tempted by the race last year, but the press kind of spooked us out of it by concentrating on the two big ones.

"It was probably the right thing to do, but I never had any doubts over his stamina. He was a fresh horse at the final fence on Friday and wasn't tired. The Gold Cup now must be his to lose."

More On The Rumble At Lingfield

Owner David Reynolds was ejected from Lingfield Park after he was involved in a post-race incident with Kieren Fallon.

Fallon was allegedly attacked by Reynolds when unsaddling from his mount Elna Bright following the sportingbet Supports Heros 'Super 7' Handicap Final.

The Brett Johnson-trained five-year-old was struck into during the seven-furlong contest and finished last, while Reynolds is joint-owner of 3-1 favourite The Scorching Wind, who finished second-last, and third-placed Seek The Fair Land.

Fallon said: "Unfortunately, you are not able to retaliate, but I used to do some boxing in my younger days and I know how to defend myself. Luckily he has been escorted out and we can move on. He needs to take some boxing lessons, anyway!"

Johnson and Elna Bright's owner, Peter Crate, were also said to have been involved in the incident, which has been referred to the British Horseracing Authority.

Crate said: "He came at Fallon like a whirlwind and struck him on the side of the face. I got in there with Brett Johnson and he caught me too, before the racecourse security stepped in. You certainly don't expect to be attacked at the races."

A stewards' inquiry report read: "The stewards called before them Kieren Fallon, accompanied by Brett Johnson, the trainer, Vanessa Buckman, the groom, and Peter Crate, the owner, in connection with an incident that took place in the unsaddling enclosure after the race.

"It had been alleged that David Reynolds, the part-owner of The Scorching Wind, had assaulted Fallon and Crate and had been involved in a fracas with Johnson.

"The stewards also called before them Stuart Williams, the trainer of The Scorching Wind, in order to positively identify the alleged assailant, and David Gardner, a security steward, as a witness.

"The stewards subsequently called before them Reynolds, who admitted to assaulting Fallon and being involved with a fracas with Crate and Johnson. Having heard evidence from the various parties, the stewards referred the matter to the British Horseracing Authority."

Fallon Punched

KIEREN FALLON was punched while unsaddling Elna Bright after the second race at Lingfield on Saturday by an owner of two horses who had run in the same race.

David Reynolds, joint owner of 3-1 favourite The Scorching Wind and third-placed Seek The Fair Land, was later escorted off the track by security guards, who were quickly on the spot after the incident in the unsaddling area behind the weighing room.

The stewards launched an inquiry and took statements from Brett Johnson and Peter Crate, the trainer and owner of Elna Bright, who were involved in the incident.

Also involved in the inquiry were The Scorching Wind's trainer Stuart Williams and a member of security staff.

The stewards referred the incident to BHA headquarters.

It is understood that Reynolds blamed Fallon for causing interference to The Scorching Wind, who finished ninth of ten. However, the stewards exonerated the former champion jockey of all blame, Fallon having eased up on his mount, who had been struck into, when The Scorching Wind was behind him. The racecourse vet later confirmed Elna Bright had been injured.

Fallon, who went on to ride Fiery Lad to finish 12th of 13 in the Winter Derby, said: "He came up behind me when I was unsaddling but I'm all right - he hits like a girl! I don't know what it was about."

Crate, sporting a red mark on his cheekbone, said later: "It was unbelievable - something you don't expect on a big raceday.

"I was standing looking at my horse's injured leg and he [Reynolds] came in like a whirlwind and landed a punch from behind on Kieren, smashing him in the face. He caught me a glancing blow as he swung and both me and Brett [Johnson] got in between him and Kieren."

Thursday...Ferdy TREBLE?

1.30 The Holinwell 8/1 could be another for Mr Murphy.

Other selections : 2.05 Ballyfitz 33/1 Won this in 2008 off much lower mark. Raced mainly over fences since andusually let down by jumping, but successful return to hurdling in Qualifier at Sandown in December

2.40 Poquelin 7/2

3.20 Karabak 9/1 Fine second to Mikael d'Haguenet at the Festival in 2009 and also run well when occupying same spot both runs this term, behind Big Buck's over 3m on latest,

Ferdy has 4.00 Watch My Back 8/1 and 4.40 Galant Nuit 11/1 who quickly made into useful chaser, getting up late to win quite valuable 27f handicap here when last seen in November. Also good effort on reappearance, so 4-month absence not overly concerning. G` Luck!

Day Two...C`Mon The King!

Chelt 1.30 Abbeybraney 9/1 2.05 Finian`s Rainbow 6/1 2.40 Citizen Vic 12/1

3.20 KALAHARI KING 9/2, who was mightily impressive on his seasonal reappearance at Doncaster where he gave lumps of weight and a beating to a number of race-fit, in-form rivals in a competitive handicap

4.00 Sir Harry Ormesher 14/1 4.40 FIn Vin Du Leu 28/1 and Bothy 14/1 5.15 Drumbaloo 9/1...G` Luck!

Cheltenham Day One Selections

1.30 Easy Champion Bumper winner Dunguib (evens) has taken on everything that has been thrown at him over hurdles in Ireland this season and never looked in any danger, and it will take some performance to beat him today.

2.05 Riverside Theatre (15/2 e/w) looks a fencing natural and should go well for the Henderson Geraghty combo`

2.40 "I think he could have run in the Gold Cup and finished fifth. His last run when giving Taranis 10lb and Carruthers 4lb was bloody good form. If he runs like that we should be in the money." Colin Tizzard, trainer of Joe Lively (33/1).

3.20 Zaynar (11/1) Top-class hurdler who won first 5 starts, including Triumph (cheekpieces) and Ascot Hurdle. Turned over at long odds on last time, but entitled to plenty of respect judged on earlier efforts

4.00 Seven races around Cheltenham cross-country course have yielded five wins for Garde Champetre (9/4), and he'll be looking to bag his third Festival win in a row under Nina Carberry.

4.40 VOLER LA VEDETTE (7/4) has been in outstanding form this term, however, and is unbeaten in four outings. She will look to play her trademark turn of foot against the title holder and is awarded the narrowest of preferences in what will be a very tight race

Naughty, Naughty?

Trainer Jim Goldie and jockey Richie McGrath have been referred to the British Horseracing Authority by the Ayr stewards over the running and riding of Arctic Court.

The six-year-old finished seventh of 11 finishers in the Swagelok Scotland Novices' Hurdle.

An 18-1 shot, Arctic Court was towards the rear in the early stages, making headway at the fifth flight before weakening out of contention in the two-mile heat won by Irish raider Drussell.

Get Well Soon Sam

Sam Thomas has been ruled out of next week's Cheltenham Festival after suffering a cracked vertebra in a fall on the gallops at Paul Nicholls' yard on Thursday morning.

The Gold Cup-winning jockey sustained back and neck injuries and was airlifted to Royal United Hospital in Bath following a schooling accident at first lot.

Trainer Tom George, for whom Thomas is stable jockey, said: "I haven't spoken to Sam directly, but I've spoken to his father who is with him and he will not be riding at Cheltenham next week."

He added: "He has suffered a crack to a vertebra high up in his neck, but it is not as bad as first feared and he is able to walk, talk and move his hands and feet.

"It's obviously disappointing that he will miss Cheltenham, but the news is largely positive and his injuries will heal with time."

The injury is a huge blow to Thomas, whose finest hour to date came when he rode Denman to Cheltenham Gold Cup glory in 2008.

His rides at the Festival this year were due to include the Nicholls-trained Tricky Trickster in the Gold Cup and George's Tell Massini, ante-post favourite for the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle.

4/1 WINNER

Message on FaceBook yesterday..."Can "Birthday Boy" James Reveley have more to celebrate too...I think so!"...

Members Line told..."Catt 4.20 STAR BEAT This represents his easiest assignment since touched off over C&D in December and Keith Reveley will be hoping that the application of blinkers has the desired effect. Jockeys... Birthday today"...

Star Beat WINNER at 4/1...more today!

News From Ferdys Yard

Ferdy Murphy is hoping a trip to the Cheltenham Festival will not be a season too soon for the former troublesome gelding The Hollinwell.

The seven-year-old is second-favourite at around 8-1 for the Jewson Novices' Handicap Chase after showing bags of promise in his three starts over fences.

The West Witton trainer said "He's progressed nicely. Me and Graham (Lee) had a chat whether Cheltenham's going to come a season too early for him but he will go. He's worked very well and he's in good form, so it's fingers crossed. If he gets a bit of luck in running I think he'll be there or thereabouts."

Ferdy went on: "He was difficult to do anything with early on, he was a pure delinquent and took us a long time to get him on song.

"We always knew he had plenty of ability because the things he was doing to get rid of riders when we were breaking him in was amazing.

"We've nurtured him and let him come through slowly, then this year he's done really well. He's had his three runs and he's won two out of three. The other one he was second to Abbeybraney, who is rated about 138."

Seconditis!

Two selections yesterday at Newcastle, BOTH second. Ardesia backed from 10`s to 13/2 and Jass at 6/1! Never mind, "each way" bets were advised so some profit thank you very much!

A nice 25/1 "touch" hoped for today at Catterick and we also hope James Reveley has a very, very happy birthday with a winner for us there too!

Another WINNER!

On Line Message yesterday..."Sedg 2.20 Gringo was a pretty useful hurdler and should be up to making impact at this sort of level over fences"...WON 4/1

Wogan...5/1 WINNER!

Three pieces of info` yesterday...two seconds with Wogan coming up trumps at 5/1...nice "each way" doubles and trebles.

16/1 second, Dear Sam on Thursday...crackin` info` from our connections...thank you all!

This afternoon's meeting at Sedgefield goes ahead following an 8am inspection.

Temperatures dropped well below freezing overnight but clerk of the course Charlie Moore has seen a rapid improvement in conditions already.

"Our temperatures are coming up to 0C now so we have said that racing goes ahead, provided that continues," he said.

"We got down to -5C last night and this would be the first time I've raced after that sort of frost.

"The frost is coming out of the ground now and we have great big ball of sun so as long as that continues, we will be fine."

Quay Meadow...latest WINNER for Barry Robson Racing

Members were told this morning... "Catt 2.30 Quay Meadow handles soft conditions and back on last winning mark (e/w)"...10/1>17/2 WINNER!

BIGGER PRICED runner lined up for tomorrow...JOIN NOW!

Catterick ON!

Tuesday's fixture at Catterick goes ahead without the need for an 8am inspection.

Although overnight temperatures reached minus 2C, the North Yorkshire track averted the threat of frost.

Clerk of the course Fiona Needham said: "Temperatures rose during the night as cloud cover moved in. It did not get as cold as we expected so it's obviously very good news."

The Lesters

Tony McCoy and Ryan Moore were among those to pick up awards at the 20th Shadwell Lesters in a glittering ceremony at the Hilton Park Lane in London on Sunday evening.

McCoy was adding two more Lesters to take his tally to 16 after winning Jump Ride of the Year for Wichita Lineman at the Cheltenham Festival, and picking up another Jump Jockey of the Year honour.

Moore, McCoy's counterpart on the level, was named Flat Jockey of the Year, while Hayley Turner won her seventh Lester when she took the prize for Lady Rider of the Year.

The title of Apprentice of the Year went to Freddy Tylicki and the Conditional Jockey of the Year was Aidan Coleman.

Two recently retired riders honoured were Mick Kinane (International Jockey of the Year) and Dale Gibson (Flat Jockey Special Recognition). The award for Jump Jockey Special Recognition went to Jimmy McCarthy.

Tom Queally picked up Flat Ride of the Year for his brilliant effort on Midday for Henry Cecil in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf.

Monday March Ist

Hereford: Soft, Good to Soft in places
First race: 2.30
Other information: Dry overnight

Plumpton: Heavy
First race: 2.20
Other information: Racing goes ahead after inspection - dry since early afternoon on Sunday

Wolverhampton: Standard
First race: 2.10

Three selections at Wolverhampton to get the month off to a great start...info` on Members Line NOW!