1000 Guineas

Connections of Qipco 1000 Guineas hope Memory feel she represents the best chance any filly has ever had from the Richard Hannon yard of lifting the Newmarket Classic.

Winner of the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot last June, she followed that up in fine style in the Cherry Hinton at Newmarket. Stepped up to Group One company for her final start at two she disappointed in the Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh, but Richard Hannon junior, assistant to his father, is adamant there were valid excuses that day.

"She's done very well, she's thickened up a lot, all across her back. Her temperament is much better this year, she was a little bit wild last year and didn't always behave herself, but she's been impeccable this year. I would think she's the best chance we've ever had in the 1000 Guineas." he told At The Races.


"We decided not to run her in a trial, but I think she does enough on her own at home anyway, she's quite keen. Hopefully they'll go quick and I think she's got an outstanding chance.

"The race didn't go to plan in Ireland. They were all drawn on the inside and she was drawn wide on the outside so they had a massive advantage from the starting gate. She didn't run her race anyway, maybe it was one too many. She's over that now, we've put that behind us and (Richard) Hughesie is very happy with her. She's in great nick.

"The fast ground will be fine. She won at Royal Ascot on very quick ground and at Newmarket's July meeting on very quick ground, that's no problem for her."

News From Ralph Beckett

Ralph Beckett is aiming to sort out the pecking order for the three fillies he has engaged in the Investec Oaks in the coming weeks.

Charleston Lady, Encore Une Annee and Miss Diagnosis all hold an entry in the Classic which Beckett won with Look Here in 2008. Races like the Pretty Polly (Newmarket this weekend) and Cheshire Oaks will help determine which of the three will head to Epsom.

"The Pretty Polly is the plan for Charleston Lady and we will then consider the Oaks. I am pretty sure that a mile and a quarter is within her compass but I am not sure about further - we will see. She is by Hurricane Run so she should get all of it and further but there is plenty of speed down below," said Beckett.

"She is in good nick and I think the Pretty Polly is the right race to start her off.

"Encore Une Annee will probably go to Chester for the Cheshire Oaks (May 4) and we will see how she gets on there. She will get a mile and a half, no problem.

"Depending on what happens with the other two, Miss Diagnosis is likely to go to Newbury for the Oaks trial (Swettenham Stud Fillies' Trial Stakes - May 13) and we will then work out what we do with the fillies from there.

"Miss Diagnosis' second dam, High And Low, won a Cheshire Oaks and was second in a St Leger, so you would think she will stay. All three fillies have been pleasing me and we will just see how things work out."

Perth Festival Review Day 1

There was a popular winner on the opening day of the Perth Festival when Sivola De Sivola landed the second division of the Aberdeen Asset Management Maiden Hurdle.

Part-owner Philip Nelson has a stand named after him at the Scottish venue and trainer Tom George admitted this race had been the plan. That fact was no secret, as he was sent off the 4-5 favourite and while it was not all plain sailing, Paddy Brennan just had to keep him up to his work to beat Lord Redsgirth by two and a quarter lengths.

"Philip has been a big supporter of Perth down the years and he`s been a big supporter of mine also. He always likes to have a winner up here so I had to plan this a while ago," said George. "He`s a very green horse but I was just hoping he had enough in the tank to cope and he`s done it well.

"He showed some very good form in the winter. Even when he ran at Cheltenham last time he was only beaten 20 lengths behind top-class horses. He`s a good work horse but he finds it all very easy and he plays a bit. He`s a horse we purposefully left as a novice for this season, next season three miles will be his thing."

George and Brennan later doubled up with Shake The Barley (7-1) in the Aberdeen Asset Managers Handicap Chase (for the Scottish Memories Challenge Cup).


The first division of the maiden hurdle went to Nigel Twiston-Davies` What A Warrior (5-2 favourite). Twiston-Davies has made a habit of plundering races at Perth in recent years and this was his only runner of the afternoon.

"We love it here and that is why we`re here every year," said Twiston-Davies. "He did it well. He`s run well in bumpers and we always knew he`d be better over hurdles and he proved it. I`m sure he`ll stay further in future but we`ll start at two-and-a-half (miles), we`ve got plenty of time to move up. "He'll be a chaser, he`s only young."

Lucinda Russell has always thought the world of Blenheim Brook and he produced a 9-1 surprise in the EBF Future Champions "National Hunt" Intermediate Hurdle. Victor Dartnall`s Mic`s Delight was sent off the even-money favourite but Peter Buchanan always looked to have his measure and eased to a 22-length win.


Plan A, fourth when sent off favourite for the Fred Winter at the Cheltenham Festival, provided Gordon Elliott with his customary winner at the meeting in the Crabbie's Alcoholic Ginger Beer Handicap Hurdle.

Tony McCoy guided the 5-6 favourite to a three-quarter-length victory over Exotic Man and Elliott doubled up in the finale, the Crabbie's Alcoholic Ginger Beer Amateur Riders' Handicap Hurdle, when Oscar's Ballad (7-4 favourite) was guided to victory by the cool Jamie Codd in the colours made famous by Imperial Commander.

I Don`t Bloody Believe It!

The ladbrokes.com South Croxton Handicap, due to take place at Leicester on Friday, has been abandoned due to no runners being declared at the 48-hour stage.

The 0-85 mile-and-a-half handicap had seven original entries but none of the trainers took up the option to run in the Class Four event. It was only just over two weeks ago that Leicester staged a walkover due to the ongoing row over prize money between the Horseman's Group and racecourses.

On that occasion Harry Dunlop's Saint Helena had to canter down to the furlong pole and back to pick up the £6,000 on offer. As a result of the abandonment, the opening ladbrokes.com Walcote Maiden Stakes has been divided to ensure a six-race card.

Leicester`s clerk of the course Jimmy Stevenson said: "I can only assume it`s down to the tariff again. I have nothing to do with prize money levels so I can`t really comment on it. It`s faster ground for this time of year but funnily enough we`ve got more runners than Doncaster on the same day so we`ve got no issue with the ground here."

According to the tariff set out by the Horseman's Group, a Class Four handicap on a Friday should not be run for less than £7,000 and only £5,000 was up for grabs.

William Jarvis had entered Bouggatti but said: "I'm not running purely because the race falls some way below tariff. I like Leicester, the facilities are good, they`ve made a big effort on the stable lads accommodation but they`ve got to wise up. Other racecourses have raised their game and so should Leicester. This is the second time it`s happened this year."

Responding to the abandonment, Racehorse Owners Association president Paul Dixon said: "Leicester is a cash-rich, profitable racecourse which has just paid a record dividend. It can therefore be expected to pay prize money up to the level of the tariff.


"The abandoned race is an inevitable consequence of the tariff system working. Increasingly, owners and trainers are taking note of tariff levels and acting accordingly. It is why 75% of races on the Flat are now meeting tariff and why this percentage continues to increase.

"It is also noticeable that Doncaster has very few declarations for Friday and none of their races meet tariff. Compare this with Goodwood on Saturday where all their races meet or exceed tariff and have attracted a stack of entries. The attitude Leicester has adopted is going to become more and more of an issue for them. It's how competition works."

R.I.P. Sadlers Wells

Sadler's Wells, one of the most influential stallions in the history of racing, died on Tuesday evening, aged 30.

The remarkable sire passed away from natural causes at Coolmore, in County Tipperary, where he had resided since retiring to stud in 1984.

Sadler's Wells' offspring included numerous champions, among them the likes of Galileo, Montjeu, High Chaparral and Yeats.

Coolmore manager Christy Grassick said: "We all feel privileged to have been involved with such a special horse. His influence looks set to continue for many years to come."

1000 Guineas Preview

Memory continues to please her connections ahead of Sunday's Qipco 1000 Guineas at Newmarket.

Richard Hannon's filly won her first three races before flopping at the Curragh on her final start. Her victories in the Albany Stakes and the Cherry Hinton marked her down as a smart prospect, though, and Harry Herbert, racing manager for the owners, Highclere Thoroughbred Racing, is excited by her progress.

"Memory is going really well. She had a seven-furlong gallop down the straight at Newbury a week ago and that seems to have put her right," said Herbert.

"She has been ticking over since and Richard Hannon was very pleased with that work and does not plan any more serious work. Memory is bigger and stronger than last year and much more relaxed at home.


"She looks fantastic and her owners, some of whom are experiencing ownership for the first time, are very excited to have a live chance in a Classic."

Andrew Balding is aware of the task facing his runner, I Love Me, but is keen to have a crack.

"I Love Me has a fair bit to find on form but she has improved over the winter and a mile is right for her," said Balding.

"She is working well and looking great. I am very happy with her and Jimmy Fortune will ride."

2000 Guineas Preview

Frankel will face a maximum of 14 rivals in the Qipco 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on Saturday.

Henry Cecil's unbeaten colt is set to go off the shortest priced favourite for the Classic in over 30 years.

Jessica Harrington's Pathfork is another unbeaten youngster heading to Headquarters and is expected, by the bookmakers at least, to give the market leader most to do.

The leading Aidan O'Brien representative this year is Roderic O'Connor, second to Frankel in the Dewhurst and a Group One winner in France as a juvenile. O'Brien has also left in Master Of Hounds and Alexander Pope.

Native Khan, the winner of the Craven Stakes, and William Haggas' unbeaten Fury are others who could give the favourite something to think about.


Godolphin have left in Saeed bin Suroor's Saamidd and Casamento, trained by Mahmood Al Zarooni. Dubai Prince was intended to be Al Zarooni's Guineas horse but he misses the race through injury.

"The main Classic horse I have is Casamento and a decision will be made soon on whether he goes to the 2000 Guineas on Saturday or waits for the Dante," Al Zarooni told www.godolphin.com.

"Casamento is a good horse who is doing well. He wants further than a mile and although the Guineas is a great Classic it is always a good trial for the Derby."

Broox, Dubawi Gold, Happy Today, Loving Spirit, Rerouted and Slim Shadey complete the possibles.

Dream Ahead was among the four withdrawals, with trainer David Simcock admitting defeat that he is not going to get his favoured ground.

Irish National Preview

Nicky Henderson is hopeful that Quantitativeeasing will enjoy the trip in the Ladbrokes Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse as he spearheads a six-strong JP McManus raid on the big prize.

Tony McCoy faced a difficult choice from the McManus runners, but he plumped for the six-year-old, who was second to Divers in the Centenary Novices' Handicap Chase at Cheltenham.


"I'm not sure if we ran him in the right race at Cheltenham. We ran him over two and a half and now we are going three and a half," Henderson told At The Races.

"He's related to Asian Maze and she stayed really well. He's a novice, so it remains to be seen how he'll take to a race such as this. He'd been progressing well before Cheltenham, though."

Frank Berry, McManus's racing manager, added: "It's a wide open race but all six of ours have some sort of chance.

"Quantitativeeasing ran well at Cheltenham and has a bit of current form and might progress a bit more.


"Quiscover Fontaine hasn't had much racing this year but was an exciting novice last year. He was a bit unlucky when he fell at Thurles last time. He's well and Willie (Mullins) is happy with him.

"Synchronised ran a blinder at Uttoxeter and has come out of the race very well. He's got top weight and would prefer a bit more cut in the ground, though they've done a great job with the watering.

"Sunnyhillboy has threatened to win one of these big handicaps and has run well around Cheltenham a few times, although he fell at the Festival. It's a step up in trip for him but he's in good form.

"See U Bob and Glenstal Abbey also take a chance. The trip is a step into the unknown for them but they are both in good form. It's a big prize so they'll take their chance."

News from Ireland

Noel Meade may not have the strength in depth that saw him crowned champion trainer on several occasions but in Realt Dubh he has a real stable star.

The seven-year-old was winning his third Grade One race of the season in claiming the Powers Gold Cup at Fairyhouse.

This one may have been slightly more fortuitous than his two previous top-level wins at Leopardstown earlier in the season but, as Meade said, jumping is the name of the game.

Many will feel that Paul Nolan's Noble Prince was about to follow up his win at the Cheltenham Festival as Tony McCoy appeared to have things under control at the head of affairs heading to the second-last fence.

However, he met it all wrong and took a heavy fall, leaving Paul Carberry to coast home 11 lengths clear on the 9-2 chance ahead of Loosen My Load. Yet again Mikael D'Haguenet disappointed and he looks a shadow of his former self.

It will have been a bitter-sweet success for owner Derek Sharkey as his father Des owns Noble Prince.

Meade said: "The fences are there to be jumped. We'll see how he comes out of this before deciding if we go for the two-mile novice at Punchestown.

"Paul said the ground at Cheltenham was too tacky, and he got caught in it and lost his action. The ground suited him much better today."

Carberry had earlier arrived late on the scene to win the Family Day at Fairyhouse Novice Handicap Hurdle on Tony Martin's Nearest The Pin (10-1).

"We've always thought he was a good horse and he's a super leaper. Hopefully he'll make a proper chaser some day. He's had a few problems but seems to go on any ground and will stay further," said Martin.

More News From Paul Nolan In Ireland

Paul Nolan has his fingers crossed Noble Prince shows no signs of his Cheltenham exertions when he returns to action in the Powers Gold Cup at Fairyhouse.

The seven-year-old has been freshened up since winning the Jewson Novices' Chase at Prestbury Park last month, and meets Realt Dubh for the third time, with Noel Meade's charge having beaten him on two occasions at Leopardstown.

"We're very pleased with him. Like all these things, you never know until you run what Cheltenham has taken out of these horses," the County Wexford trainer said of Tony McCoy's mount.

"He seems fine and hopefully all goes well. He hasn't had too busy a season so we're hoping Cheltenham hasn't taken much out of him.

"We've let him freshen up since and he seems fine, so we're letting him take his chance. We think we have him in good form and we'll see what happens."

Sweet 16 For AP

Tony McCoy's ambitions remain unchanged after he was crowned champion National Hunt jockey for the 16th consecutive year at Sandown's final meeting of the season.

The winning-most jumps rider of all time and the BBC Sports Personality Of The Year again finished ahead of his perennial rival Richard Johnson.

"The goal is always the same. As much as you enjoy winning and everything that comes with it, it's not about what you have done in the past but what you do in the future," he said before receiving his prize from Olympic gold medal-winning heptathlete Denise Lewis.

"The ambition is always about being champion jockey, but everyone else wants to be too. I'm very lucky to be involved in the sport and it has been hard going for a few of the lads, like Peter Toole. We've all had bad falls, but you just hope it doesn't happen.

"Now it's the worst day as you go back to zero. I've got a few days of Fairyhouse before I start again here."


Paul Nicholls was crowned champion trainer for the sixth time in a row, fending off a sustained challenge from Nicky Henderson.

He said: "It's great to do it again and if it wasn't for the team around me, I wouldn't be here. You never set out to be champion trainer, but you look to win the big races and hopefully that gets you there.

"It's been an up-and-down year with the winter and with the injury to Ruby (Walsh), but lots of the horses came good in the spring, and a few surprises like Zarkandar.

"Hopefully I'll have a good squad to fend off Nicky again. Big Buck's (who was voted Horse of the Year) has won 12 hurdles on the bounce and we'll look forward to him again next season."

Nearly all of the top equine stars were on parade including the Grand National and Gold Cup winners, Ballabriggs and Long Run, and the former's owner Trevor Hemmings collected the champion owner title and also the Sandown Park special award.

Poker Wins Bet365 Gold Cup...see previous blog

Timmy Murphy staved off thoughts of retirement for at least another season with a magical ride aboard Poker De Sivola in the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown.

After this reinvigorating success, the 36-year-old revealed he had become so disillusioned with the lack of rides he has received this season that he had seriously considered quitting.

But he displayed his trademark mastery on the Ferdy Murphy-trained Poker De Sivola, a complex individual who was making a quick reappearance after unseating Graham Lee at the 11th fence of last weekend's Scottish National.

The 11-1 shot was right at the back for much of the way on a scorching afternoon in Esher and although he began to progress through the field, he looked a lost cause jumping the Pond Fence three from home.

But Murphy persevered and Poker De Sivola crept into contention before charging up the hill in another famous finish to the race to beat Faasel by two and a quarter lengths, with Baby Run third.

"When you drive for three and a half hours for one ride, you find it a bit demoralising and there have been times this year when I have considered not continuing," said Murphy.


"This has probably been my lowest total of winners (32) in a season since I was a conditional. I appreciate those who have continued to support me and David Johnson (the winning owner) has always been there. If it wasn't for him, I'd be gone.

"These are the days you wait for and luckily we have some nice horses to look forward to and I'm going to go for another season. As long as I've got David, I'll keep going."

Murphy, who picked up a two-day whip ban, continued: "It was really enjoyable, but he (Poker De Sivola) is a bit of an enigma. You have to sort of not try, and kid him along, and the more you do that the more he enjoys it. He loves passing horses."

Johnson added: "If he had not unseated Graham Lee in the Scottish National last weekend we wouldn't be here. Even at the third-last I was wondering what the prize-money for fourth was! Timmy gave him a brilliant ride - he is a great horseman."

Irish National Preview

Paul Nolan is hoping See U Bob will see out the trip in the Ladbrokes Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on Monday.

The eight-year-old will be going a mile further than he has ever travelled before under rules but the County Wexford trainer is crossing his fingers the gelding's stamina will last out.

"See U Bob takes his chance and we've got to decide about Clan Tara who we've also left in," Nolan told At The Races.

"I wouldn't like to run him with firm in the wording. I've been speaking to Peter Roe (manager) at the track for the last couple of days and he's going to assure everyone of very safe jumping ground.

"We ran him at Punchestown last year on firm ground and he didn't have a cut at his fences on account of the ground. Then he disappointed and fell a couple of times.

"See U Bob was probably a shade unlucky in a Grade Two chase in Navan on his last run where he made a couple of mistakes and just got a bit further back than we wanted him to.

"We didn't run him in Gowran on Sunday as the chase track was a bit rough on the take-off and landing side of the fences.

"He takes his chance in the National. We are going into different territory regards the trip but hopefully he'll stay and give a good account of himself."


Jonjo O'Neill's Synchronised tops the 51 possibles following the latest acceptance stage.

Owned by JP McManus, Synchronised is one of nine English entries in the 140th running of the highlight of the three-day Easter Festival at the County Meath venue.

News From Ferdy

Poker De Sivola is to seek compensation in the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown on Saturday after making an untimely exit in the Scottish Grand National last weekend.

Trainer Ferdy Murphy, who took both prizes with Hot Weld in 2007, is putting 'Plan B' into operation after his charge endured bad luck in the Ayr marathon.

Poker De Sivola was just sneaking into the race when he unseated Graham Lee at the 11th fence after being badly hampered by the fall of Cold Mountain.

The North Yorkshire handler always had the eight-year-old in the big handicap chase on the final day of the jumps season as a precaution for something going wrong at Ayr.


"He came out of it fine. You can't account for one falling in front of you, but he came out of it grand. He didn't get a scratch," said Murphy.

"Graham said he was just getting into the race but that's the way it goes sometimes. You need a bit of luck.

"The little horse is well and we're looking forward to it. He's fresh and well. He was all ready for the Scottish National - that didn't work and we had this as a back-up."

2000 Guineas Update

The presence of the mighty Frankel has seen the number of possibles for the Qipco 2000 Guineas whittle away from 52 to 19 at the latest acceptance stage.

Among the expected withdrawals were Wootton Bassett, Dubai Prince, Zoffany and Strong Suit.

The latter was well behind Frankel in the Greenham Stakes at Newbury on Saturday as the Henry Cecil-trained colt made an authoritative return to action.

Zoffany's trainer Aidan O'Brien still has a leading contender in Roderic O'Connor, who was runner-up to Frankel in the Dewhurst Stakes before winning the Group One Criterium International at Saint-Cloud.


Master Of Hounds and Alexander Pope are other Ballydoyle entries while Strong Suit's trainer Richard Hannon has just Dubawi Gold left in the Newmarket Classic on Saturday week.

Pick of the opposition looks to be Jessica Harrington's Pathfork, the Godolphin-owned Casamento, David Simcock's Dream Ahead, William Haggas' Fury and the Ed Dunlop-trained Native Khan, winner of the Craven Stakes over the Classic course and distance last week.

Harrington reported the unbeaten Pathfork to be firmly on course for Newmarket.


The County Kildare trainer told the Daily Telegraph: "Everything's fine with Pathfork.

"He has a couple of bits of work to do then we will ship him over next Wednesday. I'm happy with him, he's developed well over the winter. Everything's worked out well so far."

Can He Do It?

Richard Johnson is looking for Balthazar King to provide him with big-race wins on successive Saturdays.

The jockey steered Beshabar to victory in the Scottish National at Ayr at the weekend and now has his eyes on the last big-race of the jumps season, the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown.


"Balthazar King won the other day at Cheltenham and now he's got in the handicap proper I'd think he'd have a great chance. The way he stayed on at Cheltenham up the hill there you'd hope he'd get the three mile, five furlongs," said Johnson.

Balthazar King, trained by Johnson's main retainer Philip Hobbs, is set to carry 10st 11lb after the weights went up 18lb at the five-day confirmation stage following the expected defection of the Paul Nicholls-trained duo of Kauto Star and What A Friend.

Fahey Not Happy!

Richard Fahey is being thwarted by the spring weather in his attempts to take Wootton Bassett for a second racecourse gallop. It has not been a smooth run for the trainer as he tries to prepare his star colt for the Qipco 2000 Guineas, as Wootton Bassett overcame a setback earlier in the year but still needs to fine-tune his fitness. The Iffraaj colt worked at Newcastle earlier this month and Fahey had hoped he could travel to a track again during the middle of this week, but admitted: "We're just struggling to find somewhere to take him, so we'll have to see. The ground is quick everywhere and we're on the back foot. We'll try and sort something out, but we need some rain badly."

Oh No!

The British Horseracing Authority has refused to comment on new allegations of race-fixing. A national newspaper report this morning claims that five jockeys are currently under investigation for riding horses to lose over a period that could stretch back as far as six years. Paul Struthers, head of communications for the BHA, said: "We have a team of investigators who each have a number of ongoing investigations into a variety of matters at any one time. It would be inappropriate to comment on individual investigations except those that are already in the public domain or until such time as an investigation has been concluded and charges issued."

Barzalona Double

French youngster Mickael Barzalona is clearly the jockey find of the year and he continued the remarkable start to his British raids with a double at Newbury.

As Barzalona speaks little English, a conversation with Dandy Nicholls would have made fascinating listening, but something must have sunk in as Light From Mars (14-1) headed Pintura in the totescoop6 Spring Cup.

And Barzalona later helped his more regular employers Godolphin to win division one of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship Maiden Stakes aboard Laajooj (11-4), who had left Michael Jarvis for Mahmood Al Zarooni.

Beshabar Triumphant

Cheltenham Festival runner-up Beshabar went one place better with a terrific performance from the front in the Coral Scottish Grand National at Ayr.

Tim Vaughan's nine-year-old had chased home Chicago Grey in last month's National Hunt Chase but while the latter failed to get involved this time, Beshabar was always jumping well at the head of affairs and had last year's winner Merigo for company.

Always Right came from out of the pack and threatened to challenge, but Beshabar (15-2) was in determined mood and kept up the gallop all the way to the line to score by three-quarters of a length, with the rallying Merigo snatching second back close home.


Vaughan said: "It's like a dream come true. We had our first Grade One winner last week at Aintree (Saint Are) and I had a big hangover then, but after winning the Scottish National, I think I'll have a double one tomorrow!

"People have been saying we've just been training winners over the summer, so I am very grateful to Harry Findlay (part-owner) for sending me this horse that we could go to proper places with. Hopefully we'll get a few more that will be able to run in the big Saturday races now.

"Richard Johnson gave him a fantastic ride. I didn't really give him any instructions. I just told Richard we employ him because he's as good as any jockey around.

"There is no doubt we will aim him at the Aintree Grand National next season and all the plans through the season will be geared towards that."

Johnson added: "He jumped really well and enjoyed himself and I enjoyed myself as well. It's great to win this race for the first time (at the 14th attempt). He's very tough and every time Merigo came back at him, he kept pulling out more and more."

Owner Raymond Anderson Green said of the runner-up: "Of course you're always disappointed when you are beaten, but the horse has gone and run the race of his life.

"He hadn't been running too well this season, but Andrew (Parker, trainer) had him in good form and I thought if he ran to his best, he would go close. I wouldn't rule out Aintree next season, but I'm not sure he is the type of horse for there and I would like to have another crack at this."

Scottish National Update

Gordon Elliott reports his Cheltenham Festival winner Chicago Grey to be in fine fettle heading into the Coral Scottish Grand National at Ayr.

The National Hunt Chase hero heads the betting for the marathon contest ahead of the horse he beat at Cheltenham, Beshabar.

"There are a lot of runners and you need a lot of luck, but the horse is in good form and we're looking forward to it," said Elliott.

"He's come out of the Cheltenham race fine and he's a very clean-winded horse. The trip and the ground won't be a problem. All we need is a bit of luck and he'll run a big race."

The Tim Vaughan-trained Beshabar is 5lb better off at the weights and the Welsh handler is hoping that will be enough for his charge to reverse the placings.

He said: "We're very much looking forward to it and we're a little bit better off with Chicago Grey. It's a big field but he'll love the trip, track and ground. He's had a lovely clean run through since Cheltenham and he should run a big race.

"He hasn't had much racing this year, so I'm hoping he might be a fresher horse than some of them. He seems very well at home and his jumping has improved with every run. He's still a novice over fences and could still be on the upgrade."


Minella Four Star arrives on the back of victory in the Midlands National at Uttoxeter and his trainer David Pipe believes there are plenty of reasons to expect another bold show.

The Pond House handler said: "He's gone up 11lb for the win at Uttoxeter but he'll like the ground, the track and the trip. It helps us that Neptune Collonges has stayed in as we get in on a nice low weight and a lot of the other horses are running from out of the handicap.

"He seems to have come out of his last race well and all the signs have been good at home. He'd have a small each-way chance."

Get Well Soon Lads!

Peter Toole is now obeying commands from doctors as he continues to recover from his fall at Aintree on Grand National day.

The 22-year-old suffered bleeding on the right side of his brain when Classic Fly fell at the first fence during the Maghull Novices' Chase and is currently in the Walton Centre for Neurology and Neurosurgery.

He was taken out of a medically-induced coma on Thursday and his boss Charlie Mann report further progress.

Speaking on his Twitter page, Mann said: "Peter remains in a stable condition. Positive signs he has woken enough to obey commands from doctors, remains on ventilator at present."


Another injured jockey, Richard Hawkins, is set to be taken out of intensive care following his fall at Taunton on Tuesday.

The rider lost consciousness when parting company with Tiger Dream in a selling handicap hurdle at the West Country venue, and has since been treated at Musgrove Park Hospital.

He was taken off a ventilator on Thursday, and is now likely to be transferred to the neurology ward at Musgrove Park.

A statement released by the Injured Jockeys Fund read: "IJF almoner Julia Mangan, having spent the morning with Richard Hawkins' family at the Musgrove Park Hospital, was able to report it is expected Richard will be transferred from the intensive care unit to the neurology ward later."

Scottish National Update

Neptune Collonges and Tony McCoy will attempt to defy top weight in Saturday's Coral Scottish Grand National at Ayr.

Paul Nicholls' 10-year-old will concede over a stone all round following the defection of Tidal Bay. The champion trainer also runs The Minack (10st 1lb), the mount of Ruby Walsh.

Alan King's Blazing Bailey is next in the weights behind Neptune Collonges, with Cheltenham Festival winner Chicago Grey on 10st 9lb. Gordon Elliott's charge is one of only two Irish raiders, with Charlie Swan's Long Strand set to compete from way out of the handicap

Tim Vaughan's Beshabar, second to Chicago Grey at Cheltenham, Midlands National winner Minella Four Star and Fair Along are the only other runners in the handicap proper.

Martin Todhunter's That's Rhythm is the sole representative from a handful of possibles that ran in the Grand National at Aintree last week. He fell at the first fence.

John Wade's Always Right is an interesting contender. The former point-to-pointer is progressing at a rate of knots and won the Grimthorpe Chase on his last start.

Wade told At The Races: "He won a point-to-point one day over four miles with 13 and a half stone on his back. He's been very late to come to hand. We ran him in a point-to-point when we first got him and he was useless so we held on to him for another year and he never stopped winning.

"I think he got to the front a bit too quick at Doncaster but he just jumped his way to the front. It was the first time James (Reveley) had ridden him. He'll go on any ground, but I would prefer a bit of cut in the ground.

"He's definitely improving and he'll have no problem staying."

Fallon To Miss Out!

Kieren Fallon will miss the two-day Guineas meeting at Newmarket after being slapped with a 10-day suspension at Kempton on Wednesday night.

The jockey was found guilty of not riding to a finish aboard Sukhothai in the Racing At skysports.com Handicap. The James Fanshawe-trained three-year-old finished third, a length and a quarter behind runner-up Watered Silk.

Fallon will now be sidelined between April 27 and May 6, missing both the 1000 and 2000 Guineas

News On Wooton Bassett

Richard Fahey is worried the Qipco 2000 Guineas on April 30 may come too soon for Wootton Bassett.

The unbeaten colt was taken away for a racecourse gallop over the weekend and took a good blow after it, leaving Fahey to conclude that he may not be fit enough to do himself justice in the first Classic of the season.

The son of Iffraaj missed some ground work earlier in the year and the Malton handler is concerned that is now beginning to show.

"There's nothing wrong, but we just might be running out of time and the race is catching up with us," said Fahey.

"We're going to hopefully get him away in the next eight or nine days because he took a good blow the other day.

"He's in the French and Irish Guineas as well. The main thing is he's got to be 100%.

"He's won on all ground so that would have no baring on our decision.

"In this modern day you've got to let people know. I might be doing it wrong and in the next eight or nine days I might be 100% happy, but he just took a good blow the other day.

"He missed ground work, you can't replace ground work."

Scottish National Preview

Neptune Collonges is set to carry top weight in Saturday's Coral Scottish Grand National at Ayr.


Paul Nicholls' 10-year-old won the Argento Chase in January before finishing eighth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, a race he had been third and fourth in earlier in his career.

Howard Johnson has left in Tidal Bay, who was still travelling well when getting rid of Brian Hughes at the 10th fence at Aintree.

Others who could be set for a quick reappearance after Aintree are Chief Dan George, West End Rocker and That's Rhythm.

Blazing Bailey has been aimed at the race by Alan King while Gordon Elliott could run his Cheltenham winner Chicago Grey.


Tim Vaughan's Beshabar was second to Chicago Grey at the Festival and could reoppose.

Minella Four Star, The Minack, Fair Along, Be There In Five and Poker De Sivola are also among the 47 possibles.

McCains Regrets Over Running Peddlers

Donald McCain regrets running Peddlers Cross at Aintree on Saturday following his disappointing show in the John Smith's Aintree Hurdle.

The Champion Hurdle runner-up was sent off the hot favourite to go one place better stepping up to two and a half miles, but trailed home a disappointing seventh of eight runners.

McCain feels his Cheltenham exertions had left their mark and his star turn will now be given a summer break before returning in the autumn.

"I know now I shouldn't have run him, but he's back in one piece and it's not the end of the world," said the Grand National-winning trainer.

"He had a hard race at Cheltenham and it was always a possibility. We know he's a good horse."

News From Ferdy

Ferdy Murphy is looking forward to returning to Aintree for next year's John Smith's Grand National with Big Fella Thanks.

The nine-year-old looked to have a major chance of claiming top honours jumping the final fence on Saturday, but tired quickly on the long run for home and passed the post in seventh place.

"The horse did everything right and Graham (Lee) was absolutely fantastic on him," said Yorkshire-based Murphy.

"Graham said he never missed a beat and never missed a fence and he went down the inside the whole way. He looked like he would be involved turning in, but he just hasn't got home on the day.

"He's definitely finished for the season now and he'll have a similar campaign next season, hopefully ending up back at Aintree."

Big Fella Thanks finished sixth and fourth in the two previous renewals of the great race.

McCain Looks Ahead

Donald McCain already has one eye on next year's John Smith's Grand National with Ballabriggs following his brilliant display in the race on Saturday.

No name is more synonymous with the world's most famous steeplechase than that of McCain, with Donald's father, Ginger, saddling legendary three-time winner Red Rum in the 1970s as well as Amberleigh House in 2004.

McCain jnr had now added his name to the roll of honour, and proudly paraded Ballabriggs in front of his house and the gathered media on a cloudless afternoon at Bankhouse in Cholmondeley today, with Ginger McCain also watching on in satisfaction.

National Result

Ballabriggs led home 19 finishers in the John Smith's Grand National from a field of 40 starters.

The complete order was: 1 Ballabriggs (14-1); 2 Oscar Time (14-1); 3 Don't Push It (9-1); 4 State Of Play (28-1)

5 Niche Market; 6 The Midnight Club; 7 Big Fella Thanks; 8 Surface To Air; 9 Skippers Brig; 10 Backstage

11 King Fontaine; 12 Silver By Nature; 13 In Compliance; 14 Bluesea Cracker; 15 Character Building

16 Golden Kite; 17 Chief Dan George; 18 Royal Rosa; 19 Piraya.


Fence 1: That's Rhythm (fell); fence 2: Vic Venturi (brought down), Becauseicouldntsee (fell); fence 4: Calgary Bay (fell), Ornais (fell)

Fence 6: Dooneys Gate (fell), West End Rocker (brought down), Or Noir De Somoza (fell), The Tother One (fell)

Fence 10: Tidal Bay (unseated); fence 11: Quolibet (unseated); fence 13: Grand Slam Hero (fell); fence 16: Quinz (pulled up); fence 18: Can't Buy Time (fell)

Fence 24: Majestic Concorde (unseated); fence 27: Killyglen (fell), Santa's Son (pulled up), What A Friend (pulled up)

Fence 28: Comply Or Die (pulled up), Arbor Supreme (unseated); fence 29: Hello Bud (pulled up).