Johnson In The Dock

Howard Johnson could be fighting for his training career as he answers serious charges at a British Horseracing Authority inquiry.

The County Durham handler is in London for the hearing after admitting to running a horse that had undergone a palmar neurectomy whilst under his care.

The neurectomy to the horse's left fore leg came to light following a post-mortem carried out on Striking Article after the horse was pulled up and euthanized at Musselburgh on February 7, 2010.

The procedure involves severing nervous connection to the lower leg to cause numbness. It is banned under the Rules of Racing on welfare grounds.

Striking Article underwent the procedure in April 2008 yet ran eight times afterwards. Johnson claims he was unaware of the rule that states he should not have run the horse.

Johnson has also been charged under a separate investigation in relation to the administration of laurabolin, an anabolic steroid containing nandrolone, to three other horses under his care - Whisky Mac, Mintaka Pass and Montoya's Son.

Johnson is represented by solicitor Rory Mac Niece, and the BHA by Graeme McPherson QC.

The case started on yesterday morning and it is unlikely there will be a decision released at the close of play today.

News From Alan McCabe's Yard

Caspar Netscher is likely to tackle Group Two company at Glorious Goodwood after just being caught at Newbury on Friday.

The smart two-year-old was beaten a neck by Saigon after being collared close home. He is set to stick to six furlongs for the Tanqueray Richmond Stakes at Glorious Goodwood on July 29.


"He came out of it well. It's just a pity he got to the front a bit too soon and that's what Robert Winston (image) thought too," said the Nottinghamshire trainer.

"You learn about these horses when you keep running them. We think there's a big race in him and he'll go probably for the Richmond next with a bit of luck. It's an easy six there at Goodwood."


Imaginary World could take in a Listed contest en route to her date at the Doncaster Sales early next month.

The three-year-old daughter of Exceed And Excel has earned a possible crack at Friday's EBF Lyric Fillies' Stakes at York after finishing second behind the progressive Heavenly Dawn at Newbury on Saturday.


"I've got her in that Listed race at York. She's in at the Doncaster Sales in August so it would be nice if she could nick a bit of black type," added McCabe.

"She's a very exciting, decent type of filly and if everything goes right she runs well."

Sans Loi could have his sights lowered next month as he returns from a well-earned break after four quick runs.

McCabe said: "He has just come off a break. He is fresh and well. We just had a bit of treatment done on his back. He's in good order. There's a novice race on August 9 at Nottingham he might go for."

Ascot "Big Race" Preview

William Buick believes the best is yet to come from Nathaniel, who has been added to the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot on Saturday at a cost of £75,000.

John Gosden's colt was an impressive winner over the same course and distance in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot after finishing second to subsequent Irish Derby victor Treasure Beach in the Chester Vase.

Having skipped the Derby on account of fast ground, and also the Grand Prix de Paris last week, connections have taken the bold step to run him against older horses.

And the test could not be much sterner as last year's Derby and Arc winner Workforce, Coronation Cup scorer St Nicholas Abbey and Prince of Wales's Stakes victor Rewilding are all set to run in a potential seven-runner ensemble.


"It's a fantastic race and when Workforce is at his best which he showed in the Arc, he's obviously a very good horse," Buick told At The Races.

"But I think Nathaniel is improving and we certainly haven't seen the best of him yet. If he gets his conditions, he's a horse who definitely deserves his place in the race. The ground was a bit quick for him at Chester and the track didn't suit but that race made a man of him and really did him good. He grew up a lot mentally and it turned out to be a good race.

"It was an obvious move. Mr Gosden was happy to supplement him and so were the owners. I'm just pleased to be on the horse."


Rewilding carries plenty of stable confidence as he steps back up to his optimum trip.

Trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni said: "The horse is very well after winning the Prince of Wales's at Ascot. I think he has physically changed from three to four years old. When he was three, races took a lot out of him. This time he is stronger.

"A mile and a half is his best distance so that is why we are really confident. I wasn't surprised that much at Ascot as they went a really fast pace which has helped him. They got tired and he was the one that kept going as he is a mile-and-a-half horse."

Dominant For York?

Dominant could take on his elders for the first time in the Group Two Sky Bet York Stakes at the Knavesmire on Saturday.

The progressive three-year-old colt, trained by Roger Varian, is stepping up into Group Two company after landing a big pot in the £150,000 Tattersalls Millions 3-Y-O Cup at Newmarket last month.

Harry Herbert, managing director of owners Highclere Thoroughbred Racing, said: "The choice regarding Dominant is between the Sky Bet York Stakes or the Prix Eugene Adam at Maisons-Laffitte (on Sunday) which is for three-year-olds only.

"We want to have a look at both races before we make a decision.


"We feel that the horse is ready to move into Pattern company. He is working very well and he seems to be thriving. We just want to compare notes on the race, look at the other entries and see where we stand. We will run him in the spot we feel he has the best chance.

"We are seriously considering York but we will probably know for sure on Wednesday. He is definitely of a rating now that says he should be running in a race like the Sky Bet York Stakes, or indeed the contest at Maisons-Laffitte.

"I am not overly fussed about the ground. It was very quick ground at Newbury when he ran badly but in fact he wasn't right after the race - his blood was wrong.

"I don't think ground is a huge issue for him and we think he will handle any going, which is a bonus. We will get to the next stage and then see what happens but we think he is a very important horse and one that will be able to go to war at Pattern level."

A 15-strong entry for the York contest also includes Group One winners Twice Over, Campanologist and Cavalryman.

Lily Ascot Bound?

Lily's Angel could make a quick reappearance in the Princess Margaret Juddmonte Stakes at Ascot on Saturday after just being touched off in the Weatherbys Super Sprint.

The Group Three contest over six furlongs is a possibility for the Richard Fahey-trained filly, who was only beaten a short head by Charles The Great over an extended five furlongs at Newbury.

The Lowther Stakes, the Firth of Clyde Stakes, the Cheveley Park Stakes and suitable Pattern races abroad will also be under consideration for the Listed winner.

"I never thought the five furlongs would inconvenience her that much, but I think she will be better over six," said Tim Palin, racing manager for owners Middleham Park Racing.

"She's run as often as any two-year-old in the country and at a high level. She looks as well now as she did at the beginning of the season.


"She will have a entry in the Princess Margaret at Ascot and we'll see how she comes out of Saturday's race, and what the opposition is like.

"We will also give her an entry in the Cheveley Park at Newmarket (September 24) this week as it's an early-closer. We might be tilting at windmills, I don't know.

"The Lowther is a possibility - we would have to supplement her for that - or maybe a Group Three or Group Two aboard.

"The race that does scream at us is the Group Three Firth of Clyde Stakes at Ayr in September."

Market Rasen Review

Denis O'Regan produced Viva Colonia with a perfectly-timed run to lift the totescoop6 Summer Hurdle at Market Rasen.

Wind Shuffle set out to make all while Laterly went with him, with the habitual front-runner evidently not enjoying having to trail another rival. They set a pretty quick gallop at the head of the field and their early efforts began to tell as Street Entertainer cruised up to take over some way out.

He was ahead at the second-last but challengers were lining up, with Caravel, Rajnagan and Kylenoe Fairy poised to swoop. However, Regan was making progress aboard the David O'Meara-trained 14-1 chance and produced Viva Colonia after the last to win by a length and a half.

O'Regan said: "They went a nice gallop, and he loved quickening off a fast pace. I won this last year on Australia Day and I didn't think I would be lucky enough to win it again.

"I'm delighted for Dave. He's a good mate of mine and is making a name for himself on the Flat, but he also loves a winner over jumps. Australia Day was a machine and this lad is certainly going the right way. He's tough, quick, and very genuine."

Dougie Costello was a deeply satisfied individual after securing his first winner since suffering a broken leg a day before the Cheltenham Festival.

Having returned to action on Wednesday, the popular rider was happily back in the winner's enclosure when Countrywide Flame, trained by his guv'nor, John Quinn, won the Try totequickpick On All totepool Bets Juvenile Hurdle.


Costello said: "It's actually not felt like I've been away for too long, but it's good to be back. I've had unbelievable support since I've been out, and the physios have done an amazing job.

"When I fell I knew I had broken something, it was just bad luck it was so close to Cheltenham, and also bad luck as it was my last ride before the Festival.

"But things are put into perspective when you look at the injuries of Peter O'Toole and Isabel Tompsett - it's just part and parcel of racing."

Acrooss The Rhine Makes All

Across The Rhine made all to land the Minstrel Stakes at the Curragh.

The Tracey Collins-trained Across The Rhine raced a little wide of his rivals in the early stages and dug deep when he needed to, with 4-5 favourite The Cheka one of the first beaten.

Last seen finishing down the field in the Buckingham Palace at Royal Ascot, Pat Shanahan's mount (12-1) saw off Future Generation by a length for his first win in Group Three company.


Collins said: "Pat gave him a super ride. He is quirky and Pat did the right thing by taking him away from the other horses after the start.

"I was very concerned about the ground but I don't think it's as soft as people thought. He is very consistent, but he doesn't take a lot of racing, so we will try to freshen him up now."