"Steps To Freedom and Oscars Well, in fine fettle" Jessica Harrington

Jessica Harrington reports her two big hopes on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival, Steps To Freedom and Oscars Well, in fine fettle.

The County Kildare trainer took the pair to the Curragh for a racecourse workout on Tuesday.

Steps To Freedom, a leading fancy for the William Hill Supreme Novices' Hurdle that opens the meeting, jumped well in a schooling session.

"Steps To Freedom schooled around 12 hurdles at the Curragh this morning," Harrington tweeted.

"He was very good and all is on track for Cheltenham."

Oscars Well, her runner in the Stan James Champion Hurdle, also enjoyed a racecourse gallop.

Harrington added: "Oscars Well galloped today and was very good.

"All on course for Cheltenham."

Children's Heart Unit Fund Charity To benefit From Mr Wylie

One of owner Graham Wylie's two leading hopes for this year's John Smith's Grand National will be running in aid of the Children's Heart Unit Fund.

Wylie has deep personal ties with the charity as one of his twin daughters, Kiera, has undergone three live-saving operations at the Children's Heart Unit at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle since being born in December 2009. The owner is set to be represented by ante-post Grand National favourite Prince De Beauchene, as well as major contender On His Own, in this year's renewal of the world's most famous steeplechase.

Both horses are trained by Willie Mullins, and will still carry Wylie's black and beige silks, but one will be bidding to pick up some prize-money for the Children's Heart Unit Fund.

"One of the horses will be leased to a good friend of mine called Semore Kurdi for the day and will run in aid of the Children's Heart Unit Fund," said Wylie.


"The people at the Children's Heart Unit at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle have performed three operations on my daughter Kiera. She had to have open heart surgery soon after she was born and has had two operations since, but hopefully she will never have to have another heart operation again."

It is now up to Kurdi whether the charity will be represented by Prince De Beauchene, a runaway winner of the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse last weekend, or Thyestes Chase scorer On His Own.

News from Nicky Henderson

Nicky Henderson's view of the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup does not differ vastly from the bookmakers, with the trainer predicting an ultra-close fifth clash between Long Run and Kauto Star.

Last season was dominated by Henderson's Long Run, when he crushed the rival five years his senior in both the King George and Gold Cup, but the regenerated veteran has exacted brutal revenge this winter.

Eight lengths separated the pair in the Betfair Chase at Haydock before Long Run narrowed the gap to a length and a quarter at Kempton on Boxing Day, and Henderson has noted the enthusiastic vibes coming from Kauto Star's trainer, Paul Nicholls. While Long Run was not particularly impressive in beating stablemate Burton Port in his warm-up at Newbury less than a fortnight ago, he remains the sponsors' 9-4 favourite over 3-1 Kauto Star.

"I don't think there's any doubt this is a different horse to the one we were playing with last year," Henderson said of Kauto Star.

"I think he was going through a patch last year and people were baying for his retirement. I wish Paul had listened! He has even avoided going through the final fence now - he has put the whole thing together.

"At Kempton we were only beaten a couple of lengths and had Long Run really winged the last we might have got it down. Ruby (Walsh) has really put the turbo on early with Kauto this year and (Cheltenham) is a different track to do it on. We were two-love up and now it's two-all and it's going to be a very interesting battle. I've a nasty feeling public opinion will go with the old favourite and I'll be very unpopular if we beat him. Last year was a great Gold Cup. It's all to play for and I don't think there's much between them."

One weapon Henderson has up his sleeve is the use of earplugs, which the French-bred has often worn during races.

He added: "He will have them for the parade, as we want to block that out, but they will come off in the race. He's in good form. He came out of Newbury well and did his first bit of work this morning. He'll do one bit with (jumping guru) Yogi Breisner next week and he won't see a fence between now and then."

News On Ballabriggs

John Smith's Grand National winner Ballabriggs is one of 12 entries in Saturday's totepool.com Premier Chase at Kelso.

The Trevor Hemmings-owned gelding, trained by Donald McCain, used the race as a stepping stone to Aintree glory last season - although he met with defeat at the Borders track when second to Skippers Brig.

Ballabriggs also holds entries on the same day in the Grimthorpe Chase at Doncaster and the Greatwood Gold Cup at Newbury.

Ollie Magern Retired

Popular veteran Ollie Magern has been retired by owner Roger Nicholls.

The 14-year-old won 13 of his 59 starts under Rules, including the 2004 Feltham Chase at Kempton and two renewals of the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby.

Trained for nearly 10 years by Nigel Twiston-Davies, Ollie Magern was sidelined for well over a year before making one final stab at glory in the hunter-chase division. However, after finishing a tailed-off sixth on his return at Sandown, Nicholls has called time on his racing career.

"It was an easy decision to retire him. I've always said Ollie would tell us when it was time to retire him and that's what he did," he told the Gloucestershire Echo.

"It was a sad day when I made the decision but we've got to do what's best for him. He's been fantastic and he's done us proud.

"Nigel has done a great job with him throughout his career."

Ollie Magern will now retire to his owner's farm in Oxfordshire, and Nicholls added: "He's a happy horse and he'll have a very active and enjoyable retirement here at home. I'll be able to see him from the window and keep an eye on him in his paddock."

News On Mister Marker In Eider

Nicky Richards hopes the burden of top weight will not stop Mister Marker from putting up a bold bid in the Betfred Eider at Newcastle on Saturday.

The eight-year-old has been left with the task of carrying 11st 12lb after the weights were raised 9lb due to the defection of the top two in the handicap, Arbor Supreme and Swincombe Rock, at the final declaration stage. However, Richards reports his charge in fine shape ahead of the four-mile-one-furlong stamina test.

"Having to carry top weight doesn't help the job, but he's in good condition and I'm very happy with the horse. It's a shame they haven't had a bit of rain because he acts very well on soft ground and he's got a long way to go with top weight. Hopefully that won't be such a big problem. He's fine and I'm looking forward to running him," said the Greystoke trainer.

Nacarat...fancy his chances?

Tom George feels Nacarat is showing all of his old sparkle ahead of his fourth appearance in the Racing Plus Chase at Kempton on Saturday.

Winner of the race in 2009, he was narrowly denied back-to-back successes by Razor Royale and then finished a gallant third 12 months ago. His handler admitted he made a mistake by running him at Aintree in early December on unsuitably soft ground and has given the 11-year-old a break since he ran in the King George.

"He's been good since the King George. It was probably an error on my part to run him as he'd had a very hard race the time before at Aintree. We thought we might get away with it, but it came too soon and, consequently, Paddy (Brennan) said he felt a bit flat," said George.

"The ground went very soft at Aintree on the day and we thought we might just get away with it as it looked winnable, but it backfired. Because of that we've given him a nice, long break before this race, which is always a big aim for him. It looks like he's going to have his ideal ground for the first time since he won the race a few years ago - he bounces off good ground.

"Whenever he's run against the best, the likes of Kauto Star and Imperial Commander, he's always done it on ground softer than he really wants, so it's never been a fair reflection. Despite him being 11 he's never had that much racing so it's not like we've bottomed him. The signs are good and although you never can tell with horses until you run them, he's had a very good prep."

One To Follow Today

Nice 3/1 Winner advised yesterday. Today MAY'S BOY 8.50 Kempton. "He likes the track, has Dane O'Neill on board, and has a decent draw, so lots of positives at an e/w price" (Mark Usher, Trainer)

Coronation Cup Moved To Derby Day

Epsom will move the Coronation Cup to Derby Day this year in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

The Surrey course will be staging the first event of the celebrations for Her Majesty's 60-year reign and the Queen will be attending Derby Day itself, as she did three days after her coronation.

The Group One race for older horses, usually held on Friday, will be staged as a one-off on the Saturday as the Diamond Jubilee Coronation Cup (Sponsored by Investec).

Rupert Trevelyan, the racecourse's managing director, said: "We are delighted to announce the name change and movement of the Coronation Cup to Investec Derby Day, in recognition of Her Majesty's Diamond Jubilee year.

"We are proud to acknowledge the longevity of support and enthusiasm Her Majesty has demonstrated to Epsom over the last 60 years and look forward to a spectacular day in June for the whole nation to enjoy."

3/1 Winner!

In The Biniyanis advised yesterday...3/1 WINNER!

One To Follow Today

5.15 Punchestown : In The Binyanis "He's just a five-year-old but he's a nice horse who should have a decent future, and he won his point to point at Tinahely last month very well. He's by Waky Nao, who was the sire of Sweet Wake, a useful hurdler for Noel Meade - out of a mare that won a hurdle for Harry Rogers. If I have a concern for him in relation to today's race it's that he probably wants further than two miles but Nina Carberry is booked to ride him and I'm hoping he can run a good race" Gordon Elliott (Trainer)

Whip RuleTo Be "Explained" Pre-Cheltenham

Paul Bittar, the British Horseracing Authority's new chief executive, will outline plans today to defuse the whip rule controversy before the Cheltenham Festival.

He will propose fresh amendments at a board meeting in a bid to prevent jumps racing's biggest meeting being overshadowed by the issue that has dogged the sport under both codes since last October.

"As Paul has already alluded to, the issues to be looked at are proportionality (of penalty to offence) and discretion in how it is implemented. The intention is to address these issues before the Festival," said BHA spokesman John Maxse.

Nothing is expected to be finalised at the board meeting, which is the final summit scheduled before the Festival starts on March 13.


However, it will still be possible to achieve the necessary agreement from a majority of the voting board once the details of the proposed amendments have been concluded.

"It will be a stretch beyond what is possible to have any proposal with i's dotted and t's crossed in place," Maxse added.

"The proposal is not in an advanced enough state for it to be signed off, but that does not mean that it cannot get through if everything is wholly approved."

Rules regarding use of the whip have been a continuing problem since the BHA introduced strict new regulations and penalties just a few days before Flat racing's new Champions Day at Ascot last October.


The BHA have been working with the jockeys and other stakeholders to find a mutual agreement, but the issue has not gone away.

Only last week 16-times champion jockey Tony McCoy fell foul of the rules when handed a four-day ban after going one over the limit when forcing a dead-heat at Leicester.

Carlisle Review

Denis O'Regan is riding with renewed confidence at present and was again seen to great effect aboard Beamazed in the Cumberland Show Handicap Chase at Carlisle.

O'Regan's career appeared to be at a crossroads when he lost his position as Howard Johnson's stable jockey a couple of years ago, but after a spell in the wilderness he is once again showing what a talent he is.

Having fallen and unseated his rider on his last two starts, Malcom Jefferson's 16-1 chance barely put a foot wrong in beating Vamizi by five lengths and as O'Regan coaxed him round, he will not have known he had had a race.

The trainer said: "He loves the ground, loves this type of track, and loves going right-handed. I told Denis he was bouncing at home and when he came back in, he said, 'You were right about him bouncing, I couldn't hold him'. His jumping was very good and Denis gave him a great ride. He stays forever and he must have soft ground."

Tenor Nivernais defied top weight, and landed some tasty bets in the process, in the Racing Welfare Handicap Hurdle. Backed from 11-2 into 7-2 favourite just before the off, the Venetia Williams-trained five-year-old relished the testing conditions and never looked like being beaten.

Ridden confidently by 5lb claimer Robbie Dunne, Tenor Nivernais found things much easier than when unplaced behind Celestial Halo at Newbury last time out, but had previously won at Haydock in heavy ground.

Dunne said: "He copes very well with the (heavy) ground, he just gallops through it. It's probably the key to him. It's not necessary, but it's definitely a help."

David Pipe's Big Occasion (5-1) made the long journey from Devon worthwhile for jockey Tom Scudamore. Twice a winner for Aidan O'Brien, quite what he made of Carlisle on a cold day after the exquisite surroundings of Ballydoyle is anybody's guess.

Having won on his hurdling debut at Chepstow, he was only fourth at Huntingdon last time out but relished the drop in trip and jumped exceptionally well on his way to beating Tiger Maguire by six lengths in the Cumbrian Novices' Hurdle.

Sam Twiston-Davies was another jockey who did not waste his journey with an all-the-way win on the Barry Brennan-trained Brixen (6-4 favourite) in the British Stallion Studs EBF/TBA Mares' Novices' Chase. O'Regan had tried to creep into contention on Classical Mist, but was still a neck down at the line.

Havingotascoobydo Out For Season

Martin Keighley has been dealt a blow with the news that Havingotascoobydo has been ruled out for the season through injury.

The seven-year-old was second favourite for the Cheltenham Novices' Chase (formerly Centenary Novices' Chase) at the Festival next month, and had put together a series of good efforts this season.

However, he damaged his back when being put through his paces on the schooling grounds and will not run again this term.

Keighley tweeted: "Havingotascoobydo damaged some back muscles schooling and won't be back in time for Cheltenham, so we've decided to finish him for the season.

"The whole team are so disappointed as he was going there with such a great chance."

Colour Squadron at Newbury on Friday

Colour Squadron will bid to enhance his Cheltenham Festival claims by securing another victory over hurdles at Newbury on Friday.

The Philip Hobbs-trained six-year-old beat the talented Montbazon at the Berkshire track in December and confirmed that promise with a tremendous run in defeat in the Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown, going down by only a short-head to Captain Conan.

The latter let the form down with a no-show in Ireland at the weekend, but Hobbs remains positive about Colour Squadron's prospects for next month's Supreme Novices' Hurdle.

"Richard (Johnson) actually just schooled him and the plan is to run him at Newbury on Friday. A little more experience wouldn't do him any harm," said Hobbs.

News On Binocular

Binocular will bypass the BetVictor Morebattle Hurdle at Kelso on Wednesday and now heads straight for the Stan James Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.

The 2010 Champion Hurdle hero has not been seen since landing his second Christmas Hurdle at Kempton, and trainer Nicky Henderson had been hoping to give his charge one more run before the Festival.

But with an intended run at Sandown earlier this month scuppered by frost and options now running out, connections have decided to complete the gelding's Cheltenham preparations at home.

"He won't be going to Kelso and he'll go straight to Cheltenham now," said Frank Berry, racing manager to owner JP McManus.

"Nicky is happy with him at the moment and doesn't think it will be a problem.

"Hopefully we have a trouble-free run and the horse gets there in top form."

Folkestone Off

This afternoon's meeting at Folkestone has been abandoned due to a frozen track.

Clerk of the course Neil Mackenzie Ross had hoped the warmer temperatures would bring about some improvement in the ground, but a 7.30am inspection showed that some unavoidable areas of the track are still frozen and Mackenzie Ross has been forced to call off the card.

He said: "Whilst there has been a big improvement, some key areas of the track remain frozen solid. They have not improved in the last 24 hours and with the forecast we have of cloudy weather and temperatures of 5C or 6C, I don't see them improving in the next few hours."

Mackenzie Ross added: "On that basis, we've decided it is best to abandon rather than drag it out."

Exeter and Hereford Inspections

The meeting at Exeter on Sunday is subject to a precautionary 8am inspection on raceday due to the threat of frost.

The track is perfectly raceable today but sub-zero temperatures are forecast for the next two nights.

"We had no frost last night and we had rain rather than snow. We've called an 8am precautionary inspection to keep everyone ahead of the game," said clerk of the course Barry Johnson.

"It could be minus 4C tonight and Saturday night but the daytime temperatures give us a chance. It depends how quick the temperature rises."


Sunday's meeting at Hereford is also subject to a further inspection at 11.30am on Saturday.

Catterick Check

Officials at Catterick will stage an inspection at 8am on Sunday to assess the prospects of Monday's meeting going ahead.

The North Yorkshire circuit remains frozen and partially covered in snow, leaving clerk of the course Fiona Needham less than optimistic.

"The course has been frozen since February 3 and the ground is frozen solid at the moment. The only glimmer of hope is that it is due to get warmer from Sunday into Monday, but I fear it might be too little too late," she said.

"We'll review the forecast on Sunday morning and see if there is any point carrying on, but I'm not very hopeful of racing at this stage."

China Rock The One To Follow?

Mouse Morris feels China Rock has plenty going for him as he has his second crack at the Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown on Sunday.

The nine-year-old won his first two starts last season, and an excellent third behind Kauto Star and Sizing Europe at Down Royal offered connections plenty of encouragement for the spring. But after being well beaten in a heavy ground Hennessy 12 months ago, he was pulled up after suffering an injury in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

He ran creditably on his belated seasonal return in a hurdle race at Punchestown last month, and with significant improvement anticipated, Morris is confident of a big run (My E/W selection)