News On Master Minded

Clive Smith is not living in false hope over the chances of Master Minded racing again - although the owner feels it is not an impossibility just yet.

The dual Champion Chase winner underwent surgery on a tendon at a veterinary centre in Newmarket after badly striking into one of his legs during Monday's King George VI Chase at Kempton.

Master Minded, who is approaching his ninth birthday, has earned well over £1million in prize-money in a stellar career which has seen him strike nine times at Grade One level.

Stepping up to three miles for the first time in the King George, he had to be pulled up before the final fence as his Paul Nicholls-trained stablemate Kauto Star, also owned by Smith, galloped to a famous victory.

"He's still up at the veterinary place in Newmarket after he had the operation on Boxing Day night. They have tidied up the tendon and taken a piece out, and repaired the sheath around it and sewn it up the best they could," Smith said.

"The problem is infection, and they are trying to make sure that doesn't happen. I expect we'll know more in a few days, but he'll be up there for a month, and then he'll need a long time off to recover."


Nicholls has plenty of experience in trying to bring horses back from serious injury, and it has provided Smith with mixed evidence.

He said: "It's difficult to be very hopeful about him coming back after the injury. I remember Azertyuiop did something similar after he ran at Sandown a few years ago. Paul got him back, but he just couldn't stand the training.

"I know Noland had an injury, I am not sure if it was quite the same, and he was off for two years and came back and won again. He was a bit younger than Master Minded, and it can be like in the case of Denman. They can come back, but then they are two years older and really too old for racing.

"I'm realistic about the chances. He's still going to be able to be looked after well if he's retired, but we're doing everything possible to get him back."

Make Your Mark Makes His Mark

Point-to-point and bumper winner Make Your Mark made a hugely impressive start to his career over timber in the Madigans Maiden Hurdle at Leopardstown.

The 4-5 favourite had won by 11 lengths at Punchestown last month and Davy Russell was keen to keep close to the pace on this sounder surface.


Hurdling fluently, the Willie Mullins-trained four-year-old was sent to the front heading down the back straight and his opponents were toiling from the home turn. Russell gave his mount his head in the straight and readily pulled clear to beat main market rival Competitive Edge by 10 lengths.

Mullins said: "Davy was very pleased with him. I told him not to worry if there was no pace as he could make his own way home. He'll go the novice hurdle route. We were afraid earlier in the season that he would be too keen but he does seem to settle in his races.


"He'll move up the pecking order after that. He doesn't do anything flashy at home but when you ask him a question he answers it. I thought he might be more of a stayer, but he shows more class than I thought."

Wetherby Review

There was a 33-1 shock in the feature race at Wetherby as Malcolm Jefferson's According To Pete landed the Betfair, Don't Settle For Less Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase.

Having been lost to the weather for the previous two years, course officials were delighted with the quality of the field, with Gold Cup fifth Midnight Chase heading the weights. However, it was Jefferson's 10-year-old, racing from 8lb out of the handicap, who recorded his first success in over two years.

Ridden by 22-year-old Harry Haynes, the veteran relished having his own way out in front and jumped with great accuracy. Turning into the straight the challengers looked to be mounting up, but According To Pete held off Helpston by a length, with Midnight Chase running well in third.

The winning trainer said: "He hasn't won for a while, but he's run some crackers in defeat. I told Harry to make it if he could as he likes being in front and he gets into a nice rhythm.

"The handicapper absolutely hammered him for winning the big fixed brush hurdle race at Haydock and he's only little, so he's not built to carry lots of weight. He's been a grand horse and as a home-bred you couldn't ask for more."

The star of Lucy Alexander is certainly on the rise and she can add beating Timmy Murphy in a close finish to her C.V. after the victory of Turbolinas in the Check Betfair Before You Bet Novices' Handicap Hurdle.

Murphy appeared to have done everything right on Bagsy's Bridge, but Alexander was making relentless progress after the last on Kate Walton's Turbolinas (9-1) to win by a neck.

Walton said: "That's her first ride for me but she did come and ride out before the season started and I've been following her closely. He's not straightforward but has ability as he won a bumper first time out."

Murphy lost out in another photo finish in the Read Donald McCain's Column On Betfair Handicap Chase as Bene Lad went down by the narrowest of margins to Tyrone House (9-1) and James Reveley.

Tom George was out of luck in the feature when his Halley unseated Liam Heard early on, but they combined to take the novices' handicap chase with chasing debutant Nodebateaboutit (10-1), who was having just the fourth run of his life and won by a neck.

Kauto Makes History

Kauto Star became the first horse in history to land the William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton five times with a quite brilliant performance under Ruby Walsh.

The Paul Nicholls-trained 3-1 chance was ridden positively for the three-mile test and was in front with a circuit to go, and as he quickened the pace heading down the back straight, he produced some sensational leaps to get his rivals in trouble.

Last season's King George and Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Long Run stayed on tenaciously in the home straight, but Kauto Star was not for catching and had a length and a quarter in hand at the line.

Walsh said: "He's an amazing horse. He jumped super and travelled great. This is a fairytale. He's a wonderful horse and it's a credit to the people who work with him every day. He's beaten a six-year-old (Long Run) and he's 12 next week. To keep a horse going as long as that is amazing.

"The weak don't last - the tough do. You can say what you want about the best steeplechasers of all time, but he's outlasted them all. He's lasted longer than any other horse and that's what makes him so brilliant. This horse is as tough as nails and he's exceptional.

"He's gone on as long as Desert Orchid. Arkle didn't last long, neither did Mill House."

Nicholls added: "He's just awesome and I knew we had him in serious order. I don't know why he wasn't quite right last year. It was a massive plus having Ruby here today and it's just unbelievable.

"It's amazing. He's just the best. If he gets to Cheltenham in that form he'll be the one to beat (in the Gold Cup).

"I promise you that the slightest sign he is losing his enthusiasm and we will call it a day. I will never have another horse like him and although he is 11 he has been acting like an eight-year-old at home."

Owner Clive Smith said: "I knew this was the biggest day of my racing life - 24 years or so. It's unbelievable and I'm so proud. He's such a magnificent animal. He's got such a heart. He wants to go on. He's a lion. I'm so pleased, I can't tell you how excited I am. I'm shaking."

News And Views From Tom Dascombe And Michael Owen

Tom Dascombe has confirmed Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney has purchased two horses to race in 2012, one of which is called Tomway.

Dascombe's yard has been financed by Rooney's United teammate Michael Owen, who enjoyed terrific success this year with stable star Brown Panther, a winner at Royal Ascot before finishing second in the St Leger at Doncaster.

Rooney will now be hoping his two new acquisitions can go on to similar success.

Dascombe said on his website: "We are obviously delighted to formally announce that Wayne and Coleen Rooney will have two horses in training with us next season.


"We hope that Wayne's involvement will bring the sport some publicity outside of the normal racing media and hopefully attract some new fans and followers.

"Wayne and Coleen's two horses are a two-year-old colt called Tomway and a yearling colt by Bahamian Bounty out of Amazon Beauty, yet to be named. Wayne's colours are pink and white.

"We wish Wayne and Coleen all the best with both horses and hope to see them both out early next season."

Boylesports make Tomway even-money to win a race next year, while he is 10-1 to land a Listed or Group-race prize in 2012.

William Hill offer 200-1 for Rooney to follow in the footsteps of former England player Mick Channon and take up a trainer's licence by the end of 2020.


Michael Owen believes it is impossible to rule out Kauto Star as he bids for a remarkable fifth victory in the King George VI Chase.

The Manchester United striker, currently out injured, is a self-confessed racing nut and owns a string of Flat horses.

When it comes to the big races he is as engrossed as anyone and he admits to a soft spot for Paul Nicholls' chaser.

The 11-year-old looked close to retirement following a lifeless display at Punchestown at the end of last season, but a comeback victory in the Betfair Chase at Haydock has thrust him back into the reckoning for the Festive highlight.


The veteran had last year's King George and Gold Cup hero Long Run behind him on Merseyside and while Owen feels the younger participant remains a major threat, he is keeping his fingers crossed Kauto Star can come up trumps.

Owen said: "I championed Kauto Star's chances on my Twitter account on the morning of his epic Betfair Chase win last month.

"The media write off people and horses too early - I should know!

"My head says Long Run this time, but I would love to see Kauto make it five."

William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day Preview

Nicky Henderson feels it is his job to "dethrone Kauto Star" with Long Run in the William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.

Long Run prevented Kauto Star from winning a fifth consecutive King George last season and when Paul Nicholls' superstar trailed in third in both that race and the Gold Cup, and was then pulled up for the first time in his career at Punchestown, many feared the worst.

However, the 11-year-old showed his incredible recuperation skills by beating Long Run in the Betfair Chase at Haydock and Henderson says it is up to him to restore order - although it might make him unpopular.

"Over the past year we could beat Kauto Star easily, as simple as that," Henderson told the Guardian.


"But Kauto wasn't anywhere near his prime in those two races. Now that Paul Nicholls has got him back to his best, and Kauto beat Long Run at Haydock last month, we're in for one hell of a race.

"Even last year everyone else wanted Kauto to win. We really wrecked the party. That's why the Haydock reception was phenomenal. People always want the old champion to come back and defeat the young pretender.


"Of course the public might not want me to do it but it's my job to dethrone Kauto Star."

Long Run was eight lengths adrift on Merseyside but at one stage he looked like being beaten much further.

Henderson added: "It was a horror story up until the back straight. He's done well to finish where he did. But Paul was aiming for that race while we're building more slowly.

"That's why Boxing Day is so crucial to Paul and me. There is a hell of a lot riding on it because, unless there are any mishaps, whoever comes out of the King George in front is going to Cheltenham with real momentum."

News From Donald McCain's Yard

Donald McCain's superbly consistent performer Overturn is likely to be in action over the festive period after the trainer gave him an entry in the williamhill.com Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day.

The seven-year-old has had a busy few months, winning at Perth in August as well as in the Coral Hurdle at Ascot and the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle in November.

He was last seen finishing a fine second to Grandouet in the International at Cheltenham and while McCain had initially suggested his charge would now have a winter break, he has had a change of heart.


"I've already said twice this season I was going to put him away until Cheltenham in March - and twice now I'm back-tracking," the trainer said in his Betfair column.

"After all, he hasn't done too badly in beating Binocular by four and a half lengths in the Fighting Fifth and he was giving Grandouet 4lb when beaten four lengths in the International last time.

"He will be entered for the Christmas Hurdle for a couple of reasons. Firstly, he has come out of Cheltenham extremely well, and after seeing him on the gallops on Tuesday morning, he is again sending me all the right signals.

"Secondly, I don't think the ground will be as bad as I initially feared. But a word of warning - if it is soft or worse at Kempton, he will not be taking part."


Also Arkle favourite Peddlers Cross is set to put his unbeaten record over fences on the line in the williamhill.com Novices' Chase at Kempton on December 27.

Last season's Champion Hurdle runner-up has made a brilliant start to his career over the larger obstacles, putting in two excellent rounds of jumping at Bangor and winning without being troubled.

Donald McCain's pride and joy missed an intended engagement at Haydock on Saturday due to the testing conditions and he will now head to Kempton for a Grade Two prize better known as the Wayward Lad Novices' Chase.

McCain said in his Betfair column: "He worked well this morning, and his intended target is the Wayward Lad Novices' Chase at Kempton, all being well.

"He is likely to take on Sprinter Sacre, among others, so it could be an exciting race."

Lough Derg Long Walk Hurdle Preview

David Pipe is excited at the prospect of Dynaste taking on brilliant stayer Big Buck's in the Lough Derg Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot on Saturday.

While admitting Paul Nicholls' superstar will be very hard to beat, the Nicholashayne trainer expects his five-year-old to make a race of it.

Dynaste has plenty to do on official ratings but he looked on the upgrade when storming to victory in a fixed brush handicap hurdle at Haydock last month.


"Looking ahead to the weekend, we confirmed Dynaste at the five-day stage for the Lough Derg Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot on Saturday and a potential clash with reigning staying hurdler Big Buck's," he told www.davidpipe.com.

"It is a huge ask to beat Big Buck's, but we will be giving it our best shot - Dynaste is an improving young stayer who more than deserves his place in the line-up.

"You cannot be scared of one horse, although realistically we have it to do on official figures."


Sparky May finished a creditable fourth behind Big Buck's in the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury and is set to renew rivalry this weekend.

Trainer Keiran Burke said: "Hopefully she's going to run. She's come on a lot since Newbury. I think I thought she was fitter than she was that day, although I think we're running for second.

"I want to send her over fences. I think she'll run in the Listed race at Ascot that she won before (in January), and then we'll reassess."

Testing Conditions For Montbazon

Smart bumper performer Montbazon kicks off his career over hurdles at Newbury.

Alan King's four-year-old won a valuable National Hunt Flat race at Doncaster in March, after which he finished second in a Grade Two at Aintree. He was most recently third at Cheltenham on his seasonal debut.

King is slightly concerned about the ground at Newbury, but is keen to get his new career under way in the First Great Western Maiden Hurdle.

"I'm looking forward to getting him started and he's going nicely," said the Barbury Castle handler.

"It's going to be the most testing conditions he has ever encountered - I think it will be pretty gruelling out there - but I've got to get him going."

Carlisle Call Off Early

The three chase races scheduled for Carlisle's meeting on Sunday have been abandoned as that part of the course is waterlogged in places.

There is no chance of it drying out in time as a further 35 millimetres of rain is forecast ahead of the fixture.

As a result, the British Horseracing Authority have authorised a division of two of the hurdle races to form a six-race card, starting at 12.50pm.

Clerk of the course Andrew Tulloch said: "It's looking like a mixed forecast so we are trying to be proactive. It was highly unlikely the chase course was going to improve.

"I had a look at it on Monday and there was more rain last night and it seemed the sensible option to try to save the meeting."

The going on the hurdles course is described as heavy.

William Hill King George VI Chase Preview

Daryl Jacob is to ride Master Minded confidently when the dual Queen Mother Champion Chase winner steps up to three miles for the first time in the William Hill King George VI Chase.

He partnered the eight-year-old to victory over Somersby in the Amlin Chase at Ascot last month and is delighted to be keeping the ride at Kempton on Boxing Day.

Jacob is relishing his role as number two to trainer Paul Nicholls, with stable jockey Ruby Walsh aboard owner Clive Smith's other runner, four-time King George hero Kauto Star.

"Ascot was a stepping-stone towards the King George. I saw him in the yard last week and both he and Kauto Star look great, so I'm looking forward to be being part of the big day," said Jacob.

"I'd be hopeful of beating Somersby again. As for the trip, it just depends on what the ground is going to be like. If it's very dead it's going to make it harder work for him, but I'll just do the usual and ride him very confidently as if he does get three miles.

"If he doesn't then he doesn't, but I will be riding him very confidently. If he does get the trip we'll see where we go from there.

"Kauto's performance the last day (at Haydock) was brilliant for everyone involved and if he turns up in that sort of form again he's obviously going to be very hard to beat.

"Long Run needed the run there a little bit and he's going to strip fitter, so they are definitely the two principals we've got to try to beat," the jockey told At The Races.

Ladbroke Handicap Hurdle at Ascot Preview

Ante-post favourite Prospect Wells heads a field of 21 confirmed for the Ladbroke Handicap Hurdle at Ascot on Saturday.

The Graham Wylie-owned novice, trained by Paul Nicholls, has taken to hurdling well, winning two of his three starts, while the Ditcheat handler is also responsible for the top weight Brampour and Tonic Mellysse.

Edward O'Grady's Sailors Warn and the Willie Mullins-trained Tawaagg are the two Irish representatives left.


Brian Ellison could run Marsh Warbler or Abergavenny while Imperial Cup winner Alarazi is also a possible.

Nicky Henderson, who has such a good record in the race, has left in Gibb River and Rajdhani Express while Donald McCain could run Desert Cry.


Alan King reports Raya Star to be in fine shape ahead of the valuable handicap. "We've left him in and the intention is for him to run, all being well between now and the weekend," said the Barbury Castle trainer.

"He's in good form and he ran well at Newbury last time - that was probably his best run."

Tom George was forced to withdraw Olofi after the Greatwood Hurdle runner-up scoped dirty.

The Slad handler said: "He's not going for the Ladbroke. He didn't scope clean which is frustrating, but he's got some rock-solid form and we'll get him right. We haven't decided where we are going to run him yet. All we know at the moment is we can't run him at the weekend. We'll see how we go."

Another to miss the race is Philip Hobbs' Featherbed Lane, who holds an alternative engagement at Haydock.

Fairytale Victory For The Tatling

The Tatling brought the curtain down on his racing career with a fairytale victory at Wolverhampton.

Making his 176th and final racecourse appearance as a 14-year-old, Milton Bradley's pride and joy was searching for an unlikely victory in the Dine In Horizons Restaurant Handicap.

The 2004 King's Stand winner was slowly away, but Richard Kingscote was happy to play the waiting game in the rear, and though Grand Stitch looked to have stolen a march on his rivals rounding the turn for home, The Tatling rattled home out wide to get up on the line for a short-head win, the 18th of his career.

Bradley said: "I know it was only a small race, but what a wonderful story. The horse is still a star in our eyes."

"He's one of those you drop on by mistake and spend the rest of your life looking for another one half as good. So many people in the country must know about him - it's unbelievable.

"He wasn't the easiest to train and it took us a while to get to know him. We learnt how he liked to come through horses and use that turn of foot in the last furlong - that's how he won the King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot.

"When we went there we thought if we finish in the first half we'll be lucky and then for him to go and win it and win it quite easily was something marvellous. He's been a marvellous servant for everyone involved with him.

"A lot of the people who try to tell you what to do really don't understand your horse. If the horse didn't like racing and wanted to be retired two years ago, we'd have done it. We tried to retire him and he didn't want to know. He was so miserable.

"We're going to have to be very cautious now how we treat him as he won't want to be left without going out and seeing life. Nobody is more excited about the win than I am."

News And Views From Nicky Henderson Yard

Nicky Henderson remains unconcerned about Long Run's defeat at Haydock as he prepares to step up his heavyweight's preparations for the William Hill King George VI Chase next week.

Long Run will return to Kempton on Boxing Day to defend his crown and is 13-8 favourite with the sponsors despite an eight-length defeat by Kauto Star in the Betfair Chase.

Henderson points to the form of last season, when the six-year-old could only manage third in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham before demolishing Kauto Star at Sunbury. He then went on to Cheltenham Gold Cup glory.

"He's very good and seems very happy in himself," said Henderson, who showed off a handful of his Kempton contenders on a grey and windy press morning at his Lambourn stable.

"He did two canters this morning and he won't do any more serious work until next week. As long as the King George is on the 26th (rather than postponed like last year), then hopefully we'll get the timings right."


Looking back to the Betfair Chase, the trainer said: "He didn't blow for unnecessarily long afterwards and you look back at his run in the Paddy Power and say 'was that any better?'. This was probably better.

"Kauto beat us fair and square on the day and he could be better this year. He's certainly going to be hard to beat and Paul Nicholls had him ready for the day.

"We were ready enough and, as he has won a King George and a Gold Cup, you don't want him to get beaten, but he's a real star and he still has the rest of the season to show that."

A less likely King George starter is Riverside Theatre, who was a runner-up by 12 lengths last year and only managed one more run, when winning the Ascot Chase, before suffering a setback.

"I put him in the race and he's good, but it's nearly December and he's still cantering, so I think you'd say he was unlikely," said Henderson. "His main objectives are Ascot again, and the Ryanair Chase."


Binocular will be back for another crack at the William Hill Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day as trainer Nicky Henderson juggles the campaigns of four potential Champion Hurdle horses.

Henderson is not giving up on the 2010 Cheltenham hero, even though he faltered last season after an impressive success in the Kempton Grade One and has now suffered three consecutive defeats in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle, including when beaten by Overturn at Newcastle last week.

"He's in exactly the same position as last year. He was a bit flat at Newcastle, but he has come back really well and Overturn is a hard horse to pass," said Henderson.

"He's OK, and he was very good at Kempton last year. Overturn is very good, but he's at the top of his game and I can't see that there is a lot more to come from him. There's a long way to go."

Oscar Whisky, who fell at the last when alongside Overturn in the Ascot Hurdle, is a possibility for the Relkeel at Cheltenham, while another to be bound for Prestbury Park is Grandouet.

Last season's Triumph Hurdle third and Punchestown Festival winner bounced back from a fall on his reappearance at Wincanton by running away with a minor event at Haydock.

The trainer went on: "He's going to run in the International at Cheltenham. He was impressive at Haydock and impressive at Punchestown and I'd just like to give him another look at Cheltenham to make sure it's the right place to go."


Spirit Son, second to Al Ferof in the Supreme and an impressive winner at Aintree, is not out of the equation either.

Henderson explained that Michael Buckley's gelding would not be running in the Christmas Hurdle, but said: "I think I'd concentrate on the Champion Hurdle. He's that good."

Melbourne Cup Contender Barbican In A Listed Race Tt Kempton

Alan Bailey saddles Barbican in a Listed race at Kempton today with high hopes his stable star can develop into a Melbourne Cup contender next November.

While Bailey is convinced the three-year-old is continuing to improve, he is worried the mile-and-a-half trip of the Back Or Lay At betdaq.com Wild Flower Stakes may be on the short side.

"He's well enough in himself and the surface shouldn't be a problem. He won on his debut on the all-weather at Wolverhampton. I just wish this race was over two miles, rather than a mile and a half, but this horse is improving all the time," said the Newmarket trainer.

"We'll see if he gets invited to Dubai or not. We've entered him, but you have to wait and see. I'm not bothered if he goes to Dubai or he doesn't. The Melbourne Cup is towards the end of next year and that will definitely be on the agenda."

Didn`t She Do Well!

Lackamon got favourite-backers off to a winning start at Newcastle as he ran out a determined winner of the Tickety Boo Crabbie's Alcoholic Ginger Beer Novices' Limited Handicap Chase.

Sue Smith's stayer was strongly backed into 15-8 for this three-mile test and was ridden positively throughout by Henry Oliver.

Recent course winner Tiptoeaway put it up the market leader racing down the back straight and briefly took the lead under James Reveley, but Lackamon's stamina kicked in once they straightened up for home and he produced a couple of prodigious leaps to secure a 12-length triumph.


Oliver said: "The horse is improving with each race and he's tough. He jumped well when he needed to and it was a good performance."

Smith and Oliver found the target for a second time as 14-1 chance Fill The Power landed a warm-looking MGM Precision Ltd 'The French Furze' Novices' Hurdle.

Having been beaten in an Aintree handicap on his latest start, the five-year-old looked to have plenty on his plate against a handful of dangerous southern raiders.

But as his stablemate had done earlier in the day, Fill The Power went out to make every post a winning one and galloped on strongly in the straight to score by seven lengths from South Leinster.

Oliver said: "He's still a big, green baby, but he's a lovely horse for the future. He ran on softer ground last year and didn't seem to handle it all that well, but he's stronger now and he's done it well today."

Overturn Makes All

Overturn made all to claim a first Grade One victory in the stanjames.com Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle.

Donald McCain's charge won the Coral Hurdle at Ascot last week and turned out just seven days later to account for 5-4 favourite Binocular in some style in the hands of Jason Maguire.

Celestial Halo was the first of the 'big three' to crack and though Binocular held every chance coming down the straight, he could never get to Overturn (7-4) and was beaten by four and a half lengths.

Peddlers Cross gives another fluent display at Bangor.

Peddlers Cross preserved his unbeaten record over fences with another fluent display at Bangor.

Donald McCain's big hope easily made it two wins from two starts in his embryonic chasing career when accounting for Grade One-winning hurdler Minella Class by eight lengths.

Last season's Champion Hurdle runner-up, who also won at Bangor earlier this month, again jumped with measured style in the Malise Nicolson Bright Future Novices' Chase.

Jason Maguire's partner bounded into the lead after the first fence and was later joined by chasing debutant Minella Class at the front end.

The six-year-old (2-13 favourite) made a slight mistake four out, but had far too many guns for the runner-up.

Peddlers Cross is now in line to get further experience over fences before Cheltenham at Haydock on December 17.


Maguire, who dashed straight off by helicopter to ride Overturn at Newcastle, said: "It was grand. We had to get racing a bit down the back and that was good as it's all good experience for him.

"He won't learn anything if he just has to do a hack canter every time he runs, so it will have done him some good.

"He could go to Haydock in a few weeks and we'll go from there. It's all about getting experience into him."

Peddlers Cross was already ante-post favourite for the Arkle at the Cheltenham Festival in March before this stylish victory. He is now the 7-2 market leader with Paddy Power.

Old Boys Are Still There...thank goodness!

Owner Paul Barber is keeping his fingers crossed Denman can take a leaf out of old rival Kauto Star's book when he returns to action at Leopardstown next month.

The 11-year-old Kauto Star rolled back the years to defeat younger champion Long Run with an imperious performance in Saturday's Betfair Chase after many had written him off and stablemate Denman is the same age and in a similar boat, but he too has been pleasing trainer Paul Nicholls ahead of his intended comeback in the Lexus Chase.

Barber said: "He's looking great at the moment and enjoying life. Paul is very pleased with how he's been going at home and if we can manage to get him to Leopardstown in the same form as Kauto Star was at Haydock on Saturday that will be wonderful."

He added: "He's doing everything right at the moment and we look forward to the Lexus Chase. Kauto was brilliant on Saturday. This time last week both he and Denman were available at 25-1 for the Gold Cup, but that has changed a bit now.

"The old boys are still there."

Tut Tut Mr Fallon!

Kieren Fallon has been fined a total of £3,140 by the disciplinary panel of the British Horseracing Authority over his failure to arrive in time to take his first two rides at Chester on May 5.

The BHA looked into the circumstances surrounding Fallon's late arrival at the course to ride Fred Willetts and Forte Dei Marmi.

The six-times champion jockey was given the lion's share of the fine, £3,000, after being found guilty of deliberately misleading a BHA employee, namely William Nunneley who was head of Stewarding at Chester on the day.

He was handed the other £140 for not informing the clerk of the course with an explanation as soon as possible after he became aware he would be unable to ride the two horses in those races.

The BHA will publish the full reasons for their decisions in due course

Seven From Seven For Henderson

Nicky Henderson achieved a notable first today as a four-timer at Kempton contributed to a grand total of seven winners from as many runners across the country.

Henderson chooses the tracks close to his Lambourn stable to introduce many of his better prospects at this time of year and certainly the routine victories in moderate company for Darlan, Chablais and Mossley were expected as the trainer juggled his responsibilities as host of a charity lunch for the Starlight Children's Foundation.

With Foxbridge, Owen Glendower and Top Of The Range following in at Ludlow and Ffos Las, there was also the added pleasure to come of Whoops A Daisy boosting her breeding value in the Listed Coolmore NH Sires "Ask & Getaway" Mares' Hurdle.

Henderson said: "I don't know if I've had seven, I remember having six one Boxing Day or the day after, but we haven't had seven out of seven, that I can be fairly sure of. We had a fantastic day on Friday with five winners and then Saturday was a bit bruising with Long Run and Oscar Whisky being beaten, but this is quite special as I am chairman of the Starlight charity day and we will hopefully raise a lot of money."

Mossley was the shortest-priced runner at Kempton at 1-8 favourite following his second place in last season's Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham.

"I think Mossley slightly went to sleep, he made one mistake, but Barry said he winged the last two," Henderson said.

There was a little added pressure in the British Stallion Studs Supporting British Racing EBF "National Hunt" Novices' Hurdle as owner JP McManus was on hand to watch his 1-4 favourite Darlan, who was not fluent but still was a class apart from his rivals.

And even if Chablais (8-15 favourite) developed a habit of jumping to the left in the two-mile Halcyon Gallery Novices' Chase, the lightly-raced gelding had pounds in hand himself.

Henderson said: "We've got to get these novices out, so it was just nice to see Darlan go and do it. Eventually a pecking order will work out but the novices look good and he's nice.

"Chablais fell apart on us last season and he had to have time off. He's not the most straight-forward and I would have preferred him to have been running over a bit further really. Barry said if it hadn't been for the jumping to the left, he would have been perfect. Barry felt it might have been more because he was left in front on his own than anything else. You find these things out on the racecourse."

Grands Crus For Betfair Chase at Haydock on Saturday

Grands Crus has not been ruled out of a clash with Long Run and Kauto Star in the Betfair Chase at Haydock on Saturday.

One of the highest-rated hurdlers to be sent over fences in recent times, the six-year-old grey made a seamless transition to his new discipline at Cheltenham on Friday.

A decision on whether he will be confirmed for the first Grade One chase competed for in Britain this season will be made on Monday morning.

Trainer David Pipe said: "He's come out of the race well and it was a great start for him over fences.

"Whether we confirm him for the Betfair will not be decided until Monday morning - I'll speak to the owners. There are plenty of options for him."

The December Gold Cup - Great Endeavour Return?

Great Endeavour could return to Cheltenham next month after his win in the Paddy Power Gold Cup on Saturday.

The December Gold Cup has emerged as a possibility for the seven-year-old, who bounced back to his best in the competitive handicap.

Jonjo O'Neill's Exotic Dancer was the last horse to win both races in the same season, in 2006, and he went on to finish second to Kauto Star in the King George VI Chase on his next start.

The Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury over an extended three and a quarter miles on November 26 is also being considered, though Great Endeavour has yet to win over that distance.


Trainer David Pipe said: "That was very good as he lost a plate during the race. He ate up on Saturday night and has come out of it very well.

"The Hennessy is a possible or coming back here (Cheltenham) in a month's time for the two-mile-five handicap chase. We'll have a word with DJ (David Johnson, owner) and decide."

Snow Fairy Triumphs Again!

Ed Dunlop's Snow Fairy produced an amazing turn of foot to win the Queen Elizabeth II Commemorative Cup for the second year in succession.

Ryan Moore's mount looked to have plenty to do turning into the straight as she was at least 10 lengths behind the runaway leader Shimmei Fuji, with a dozen horses still in front of her.


In front of a huge crowd at Kyoto in Japan, last year's winner began to stay on strongly but it looked as if a place was going to be the best she could hope for with a furlong to run. However, running on the fast ground she loves, the four-year-old quickened up in fantastic style to burst through and beat Aventura by a neck with Apapane third.


Snow Fairy was drawn widest of all in stall 18, which made her performance even more meritorious.

William Haggas' Oaks winner Dancing Rain could never get in a blow.

Johnny Murtagh decided to hold her up in the rear from stall 14, rather than adopting her front-running tactics, but she never threatened at any stage.

Cheltenham Preview...20 declared for the Paddy Power Gold Cup

Mon Parrain heads a field of 20 declared for the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham on Saturday.

Trainer Paul Nicholls has a dismal record in this particular race but he will be hoping the unexposed five-year-old can put the record straight. And for good measure, Nicholls will also be represented in the prestigious handicap chase by top-weight Poquelin and Aerial. Poquelin's presence means the weights will not go up, leaving the bottom eight horses, including Aerial, out of the handicap proper.


Philip Hobbs has elected to run Wishfull Thinking, winner of races at the Aintree and Punchestown Festivals last spring. Nicky Henderson will saddle Dave's Dream and Quantitativeeasing while last year's winning trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies runs both Swincombe Rock and Billie Magern.


There are two Irish-trained challengers in the shape of Henry de Bromhead's Loosen My Load and Tom Taaffe's Finger Onthe Pulse. Completing a quality field are Oiseau de Nuit, Great Endeavour, Holmwood Legend, The Giant Bolster, Calgary Bay, Araldur, Noble Alan, Tullamore Dew, Divers and Fine Parchment.

As expected, Noble Prince was withdrawn by his trainer Paul Nolan and another notable absentee was Malcolm Jefferson's Cape Tribulation, who prefers softer ground.

Araldur was a Grade Two winner over fences as a novice but that was back in the 2008-09 season. Last campaign was spent competing over hurdles as King felt he needed a confidence boost after breaking his pelvis and he won twice. He returned to chasing with a good effort at Wetherby last month and King feels he deserves his place in the field.


"We were delighted how well Araldur ran on his return to fences at Wetherby, where he was on the heels of the leaders when brought to a standstill by a faller at the second last," he told his website.

"He showed plenty of spirit to battle on for second behind Fistral Beach and, being such a huge horse, Araldur, who had been off since the spring, is sure to come on for that. It is very competitive, but he deserves his shot."