Monday, September 24, 2001

LATEST TOTE BETTING AND MARKET MOVERS

Tote PR director, Matt Chapman, said: "Noverre has improved all season and will be very hard to beat in Saturday's Group 1 event.

"He already has verdicts over many of his rivals, and the Godolphin operation - with the exception of E Dubai, who was defeated last night in America - is in cracking form. Many latch on to Frankie Dettori at Ascot and Noverre is sure to be a well supported favourite on the day."

ANTE-POST LISTS

QUEEN ELIZABETH II STAKES (ASCOT, Saturday)
15-8 Noverre, 4 No Excuse Needed, 5 Vahorimix, 11-2 Hawkeye, Proudwings, 12 Olden Times, Bach, 20 Bocelli, 25 Valentino, Beckett, Tamburlaine, 50 Summoner.

PRIX DE L'ARC DE TRIOMPHE (LONGCHAMP, OCTOBER 7)
7-2 Sakhee, 9-2 Milan, Aquarelliste, 6 Golan, 7 Hightori, 10 Anabaa Blue, Egyptband, 14 Morshdi, 16 Diamilina, 20 Holding Court, Chichicastenango, 25 bar.

TOTE TRIFECTA HANDICAP (ASCOT, Saturday)
6 Mr Mahoose, 8 Continent, 9 Father Thames, 12 A Touch of Frost, Great News, Golden Dragon, 16 Big Future, Capricho, Hand Chime, I Cried for You, 20 bar.

TOTE CAMBRIDGESHIRE (NEWMARKET, OCTOBER 6)
6 Alphaeus, 10 Smirk, Katy Nowaitee, Albuhera, 12 Halland, Lagudin, 14 Foreign Affairs, 16 Moon Goddess, 20 Duke of Modena, Scheming, Faithful Warrior, Transatlantic, Kirovski, Pinchincha, 25 bar.

TOTE CESAREWITCH (NEWMARKET, OCTOBER 20)
2 Alleluia (with a run), 6 Taffrail, 9 Heros Fatal, 14 Brother Joe, Cover Up, Ravenswood, Hugs Dancer, 16 Big Moment, Barba Papa, Distant Prospect, Wave of Optimism, Capal Garmon, 20 Ansar, Archduke Ferdinand, Give Notice, Seliana, Tarxien, 25 bar. ***Special Bet. Martin Pipe stable 7-2.

SAGITTA 2,000 GUINEAS (NEWMARKET, MAY 4)
5 Dubai Destination, 6 Johannesburg, 7 Hawk Wing, 16 Comfy, 25 Rock of Gibraltar, Naheef, Meshaheer, Flat Spin, Roar of the Tiger, Bragadino, 33 bar.

SAGITTA 1,000 GUINEAS (NEWMARKET, MAY 5)
13-2 Gossamer, 10 Queen's Logic, 12 Quarter Moon, Half Glance, Revealing, 16 Silent Honour, 25 Dressed to Thrill, Sophisticat, Zaeema, Barzah, Muklah 33 bar.

VODAFONE DERBY (EPSON, JUNE)
25 Hawk Wing, Shaanmer, Dubai Destination, 33 Dialhilev, Naheef, Roar of the Tiger, 40 Mount Joy, Handa Island, Moon Ballad, Sparkling Water.

VODAFONE OAKS (EPSOM, JUNE)
10 Quarter Moon, 12 Half Gance, 14 Revealing, 20 Shadow Dancing., 25 Silent Honour.

SMURFIT CHAMPION HURDLE (CHELTENHAM, MARCH 12)
6-4 Istabraq, 9 Jair du Cochet, 12 Landing Light, Ned Kelly, 16 Bilboa, Moscow Flyer, 20 Geos, 25 bar.

TOTE CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP (CHELTENHAM, MARCH 14)
9-2 First Gold, 12 Sackville, 14 Marlborough, 16 Ad Hoc, Best Mate, Kotkijet, 20 Legal Right, Gingembre, Looks Like Trouble, Lord Noelie, See More Business, Shotgun Willy, 25 Monsignor, Paris Pike, Rince, Ri, Florida Pearl, Alexander Banquet, 33 bar.

MARTELL GRAND NATIONAL (AINTREE, April)
20 Beau, 25 Commanche Court, David's Lad, Papillon, 33 Blowing Wind, Mely Moss, Moral Support, Red Marauder, 50 The Last Fling.

TONY MCCOY
4-5 to ride at least 270 winners in the 2001/2002 jumps season
3-1 to ride at least 300 winners in the 2001/2002 jumps season

OSBORNE OFFERS MCCARTHY DOUBLE CHANCE IN GOODWOOD RACE FOR JUMP JOCKEYS

The jump jockeys compete in the unique Ucello II and Ubu III Trophy (2.30pm), a two-mile handicap, which is being held for the sixth time.

The fascinating contest was first run at Goodwood's inaugural Sunday raceday in August, 1995, and is supported by the Marquesa de Moratalla, being named after her two popular chasers Ucello II and Ubu III.

This duo, along with The Fellow, who won the 1994 Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup, were affectionately known as "The Three Musketeers" and trained by Francois Doumen to capture many big races. Appropriately French jockey Adam Kondrat, who partnered The Fellow to win the Gold Cup, took part in the first Goodwood event, finishing 11th behind the David Bridgwater-ridden Mr Browning.

The 1996 renewal was captured by Paul Carberry on French Ivy, while success the following year went to Jimmy McCarthy on Father Sky, with Derek Byrne triumphant on the Mick Channon-trained Danegold in 1998. The race did not happen in 1999 because the fixture was abandoned while well-known Flat jockey Richard Hughes, who has had successes over hurdles, renewed his jump licence specially to partner Samarardo last year. The effort was worthwhile as they made all to win by two lengths from the Mick Fitzgerald-ridden Persian Waters.

Some of jump racing's best-known names have taken part so far, including champion jockey Tony McCoy, Adrian Maguire, Norman Williamson, Carl Llewellyn, Timmy Murphy, Jamie Osborne, Brendan Powell, Andrew Thornton, Luke Harvey, Graham Bradley, Jim Culloty and Robert Chocolate' Thornton.

Today Dave Roberts, agent for Tony McCoy and Mick Fitzgerald, is scouting for suitable mounts for the pair and weighing up whether to have them ride at Goodwood or travel to Perth for the Scottish track's seven-race jump card.

One jockey already booked to ride on Thursday is Jimmy McCarthy who is on the Jamie Osborne-trained Malarkey and keen to achieve his second success in the contest which this year has attracted 51 five-day entries, demonstrating its popularity.

Osborne, who had two rides in the race himself back in 1995 and 1996, said today: "Jimmy comes and rides out whenever he can so I am delighted to be able to give him a ride on the Flat.

"Malarkey, whom Jimmy knows fairly well, has been pretty consistent this season and the handicapper has given him some sort chance.

"I would have liked to have won this race as a jockey and now I have a chance of success as a trainer."

The feature event at Goodwood on Thursday is the £37,000 Group Three Charlton Hunt Supreme Stakes (4.05pm) over seven furlongs which has attracted 18 entries including Atavus, Mount Abu, Warningford, Late Night Out, Freud, Zilch and Toroca.

The opening day of the meeting, Wednesday, September 26, also has a seven-race card starting at 2.30pm, with the £25,000-added Foundation Stakes (4pm), over a mile and a quarter, the feature event. The14 entries include Albarahin and Right Wing, who were first and second last year.

Annual members of Yarmouth Racecourse, whose three-day meeting was abandoned last week, are being offered free admission to both days of the final Goodwood meeting of the year.

CHANNEL FOUR RACING COVERAGE OFTHE PRIX DE L'ARC DE TRIOMPHE

The dedicated Channel Four Racing team will be warming up for the Arc in dazzling fashion on Saturday (6/10/01) when, for the first time, the network will broadcast eleven live races from four different meetings. There's Longchamp for starters as the Arc weekend commences, the Cambridgeshire et al from Newmarket, a further two races from Redcar and even one from Sandown. After which, the entire troop will head overseas to take up their reins in the Gallic gain.

Andrew Franklin, Executive Producer for Channel Four Racing, commented: "This is hugely important to Channel 4, the Arc is Europe's premier all-aged Flat race and number one Flat meeting - there is no other day that can match it. With six Group 1's on the car, it completely overshadows every other racing day in Europe and is really our answer to the Breeders' Cup."

The much-anticipated Arc day coverage commences with, a first ever, Sunday Morning Line programme live from Longchamp (8.00 - 8.30). Here the team led by Alastair Down and supported by John Francome, Simon Holt, Lesley Graham, John McCririck, Jim McGrath, Walter Swinburn and Derek Thompson; will run through the day's runners and riders, offering invaluable punting advice.

Afternoon racing fits neatly into a 2½ hour slot with four live Group 1 races, the centrepiece being the 80th running of The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe Lucien-Barriere, and recordings of the first two challenges.

Andrew Franklin explains: "The French are deploying more cameras than ever before a mammoth operation with around three dozen cameras supplemented with nine of our own cameras this should ensure striking imagery of the course and Paris."

Channel 4's racing crew will also be full strength in front of the cameras. Those new to the Arc experience include commentator, Simon Holt, who will be high in the grandstand calling home his first Arc. Whilst, former jockey Walter Swinburn returns to familiar surroundings but in a different role - as a member of the paddock broadcast team. And with no betting ring at Longchamp, John McCririck will take up a new stamping ground on the fringe of the Horse Racing Abroad Grandstand, weekend stronghold of the Brits.

Channel Four Racing's Wk 41 Schedule:

Saturday 6th October: Morning Line 9.00 - 10.00am Afternoon Racing 1.30 - 5.05pm

Sunday 7th October: Sunday Morning Line 8.00 - 8.30am Afternoon Racing 2.25 - 5.00pm

IRISH THOROUGHBRED MARKETING UPDATE

Group 1 winner Super Tassa was sold at this sale for only 1,800 guineas and other notable graduates include this year's Group race winners Innit (cost 12,500 guineas) and Whitbarrow. The winner of this year's Breeders Stakes was Bella Chica which was sold at Fairyhouse for 13,000 guineas.

Because of the sale's success, an extra day has been added this year and 250 more yearlings will be auctioned on Thursday, September 27th. All of these are eligible to be entered for a new Open Race at Fairyhouse Racecourse next year worth 30,000 euros.

Without a doubt, this year's catalogue for the September Sale at Fairyhouse is the best yet and among those lots which catch the eye on breeding alone are: a half-sister to Whitbarrow by Desert Story, half-brothers to Breeders Stakes winners Amazing Dream, Halland Park Girl and Bella Chica, a Singspiel colt out of a half-sister to American stakes-winner Apollo Cat, and an Entrepreneur half-brother to Group 2 winner Fairy Queen.

The Irish-bred three-year-old filly Alinga recently won a $50,000 handicap at Bay Meadows and her half-sister by In The Wings is being consigned by Ballylinch Stud on Thursday. Alinga's sire King's Theatre has three yearlings in the Fairyhouse catalogue.
Further information on the sale is available on the internet at www.tattersalls.ie and ITM will continue its programme of flight reimbursements for purchasers at the sales.

MORE IRISH-BRED GROUP 1 SUCCESS

KUTUB and Yavana's Pace registered a 1-2 for Irish-breds in the Group 1 Deutsche Post Euro Express Preis Von Europa at Cologne on September 23rd.

Standing at Kildangan Stud, In The Wings has had three Group 1 wins this year. Yavana's Pace is a son of Accordion which stands at Ballycrystal Stud in Co Offaly.

EXPRESS UPSETS THE FAVOURITE

ENGAGED couple Frances Crowley and Pat Smullen teamed up to win the £30,000 Goffs Autumn Bonus at Cork on September 22nd with Paris Express. Bought for a mere £7,000 as a yearling at Goffs, Paris Express hadn't been out of the first two in his previous four races and battled well here to defeat hot favourite Miss Beabea by a head. The runner-up, a Listed winner just a week earlier, possibly found the seven-furlong trip a shade too far and the good to firm ground may not have been ideal for her either.

Later in the day, Co Limerick trainer Austin Leahy saddled two handicap winners while amateur riders John Thomas McNamara and Philip Fenton also visited the winner's enclosure during the afternoon. Both these riders will be looking forward to the recommencement of the point-to-point season on September 29th.

Just under 30 of these meetings - which consist exclusively of three-mile steeplechases - will take place before the end of November. Details of almost 100 horses for sale to compete in this arena - or on the racetrack - are available in a booklet compiled by Irish Thoroughbred Marketing, available from ITM Tel + 353 1 2897302.

HERO BOUGHT AT GOFFS

THE GOFFS Sales are widely associated with Classic winners such as Irish St Leger victor Vinnie Roe, bought for £50,000 at the 1999 Orby Sale. Another example of the value on offer at Goffs came to light at Ayr on September 20th when Special Hero won a two-year-old maiden in impressive fashion. "He could be the best horse I have ever trained," said trainer Kevin Ryan afterwards. "I bought him at Goffs last year. I expected to go to £50,000 and still not get him, but I got him for only £20,000. He has always been class but we have been very patient with him.''

His sire Spectrum (also sire of Golan) has 12 yearlings in this year's Orby Sale which starts on October 9th and there are six more Spectrum yearlings in the Challenge Sale at Goffs two days later. The Orby batch include a half-sister to multiple Group race winner Burden Of Proof, a colt out of a full-sister to stakes winners Silver Lane, Hawkster and Silver Kite, and a colt out of Yorkshire Oaks winner Untold.

GRANDERA BECOMES AN ARC POSSIBLE

Grandera put himself in line for a possible tilt at the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe with a gutsy display in the Dubai Arc Trial at Newbury on Saturday.

Bred by Stan Cosgrove, this son of Grand Lodge also has the Champion Stakes as an option. Good ground is essential for this colt and it will dictate which option he will choose. Grandera cost Ir£30,000gns at the Goffs Orby yearling sale.

Foodbroker Fancy won her second Listed race of the season when quickening up well to win the Dubai Duty Free John Musker Fillies' Stakes. She ran in the Oaks earlier in the season following her win in the Lupe Stakes. She cost Ir£75,000gns at the Goffs Orby yearling sale and was bred by Hugo Merry.

CONDON A NAME TO REMEMBER

DAVID CONDON became the latest Irish apprentice jockey to hit the headlines when he rode two winners at Gowran Park on September 20th. Based with trainer Willie Mullins, the 16-year-old rider went on to record his fifth winner of the season at Cork two lays later.

Still battling it out at the top of the apprentice table are Tadhg O'Shea, Wayne Lordan, Pat Cosgrave, Colm O'Donoghue and last year's champion Tom Queally. Just a handful of winners separate these five riders and it's anybody's guess as to who will lift the title in November.

At that same Gowran meeting, Mick Kinane also rode a double to keep his championship hopes alive though he still trails reigning title-holder Pat Smullen and Johnny Murtagh. A treble by Murtagh at Down Royal on September 22nd brought his seasonal tally to 67 and, heading into the Listowel Festival, he was just four winners behind Smullen.

CARBERRY SETS THE PACE

PAUL CARBERRY continues to force the pace at the head of the jump jockeys' table and had amassed 39 winners prior to the start of the Listowel Festival. Carberry is retained by leading trainer Noel Meade who has reported some bad news concering his 2000 Cheltenham Festival winner Sausalito Bay. The gelding has not raced since last December when he fell at Fairyhouse. "He cracked a bone when he fell and he's still not 100%," said Meade. "We're hoping he comes right, but at the moment he's not in
training."

Meade also had news of his good chaser Arctic Copper which he trains for a syndicate of Irish politicians. "If he's going to run in handicaps, he's going to have an awful lot of weight because of his rating. So I was hoping to find some conditions races for him first. There's one in Down Royal in November, but he'll be out before then."


HRI PLANS CURRAGH MOVE

THE interium Board of Horse Racing Ireland has approved a strategy of having
the organisation located in a new office development on lands at the Curragh. The new building, which could take up to three years to complete, will also be capable of housing the Turf Club and any other industry bodies that would wish to locate therein.

Horse Racing Ireland is expected to be formally established in November and the Board hopes to appoint its Chief Executive in October. It is proposed that all staff will be moved to temporary accommodation on the Curragh as soon as possible after the establishment date and the transfer of functions from the Turf Club to HRI will take place on January 1st, 2002.

IN BRIEF:

The four-year-old Irish-bred Zenno El Cid won the Group 3 Keisei Hai Autumn Handicap at Nakayama recently...First season sire Spinning World had a first Group winner when Quad's Melody won the Prix d'Aumale at Chantilly on September 19th...Eclipse Award winner Kalanisi has arrived at Gilltown Stud where he will commence stud duties next year...Well done to 19-year-old jockey Joey Elliott who managed the unusual feat of riding a winner on the Flat and over fences at Downpatrick recently. For good measure, he won a hurdle race at Down Royal on September 22nd...Tony McCoy, a native of Co
Antrim, has broken his own record for the fastest 100 winners in a season by a jump jockey in Britain.

JOCKEYS LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEW NATIONAL HUNT SEASON

Following disruptions to racing in the Spring, the major part of the new season is eagerly-awaited, with the first big meeting at Cheltenham - The Open - on November 16, 17 and 18, 2001

The National Hunt Festival on March 12, 13 and 14, 2002, is less than six months away.

In the first of four related releases over the next two weeks, Cheltenham provides an easy-to-follow guide to 12 top jockeys as they look forward to their leading prospects.

The second release, which will be received on Thursday, September 27, has 12 top trainers talking about the horses they are most excited about running.

Leading hurdlers from last season are highlighted in the third release, due for release on Monday, October 1, while well-known chasers are the subject of the final release which will be published on Tuesday, October 2, 2001.

Edward Gillespie, Managing Director of Cheltenham Racecourse, commented: "I have no doubt that we are witnessing a golden era for National Hunt racing and this season could be really special.

"There will be more horses setting out with their reputations still intact and among them, the trainers and the jockeys, there are stars to compare with any of the greats' of the past.

"This series of guides is intended to help people follow the leading contenders and what better way to start than with the jockeys whose skill and courage contribute so much to the thrilling spectacle of the sport.

"Other announcements, about The Open 2001 and prize money for the season, will be made on Tuesday, September 25, and Wednesday, September 26, respectively and we hope that you also find these of interest."

LEADING NATIONAL HUNT JOCKEYS HIGHLIGHT HORSES

The rider is looking forward to again partnering The Bajan Bandit and Direct Access, two horses in the care of Scottish-based Lenny Lungo.

Dobbin said: "The Bajan Bandit won the champion bumper (National Hunt Flat Race) at Aintree and I think he would have won at Cheltenham as the course would have suited him better. He's a very, very good prospect, who will be going novice hurdling - he's done plenty of schooling and jumps well.

"Direct Access won four novice hurdles last year and he'll be going for some small novice chases initially. He's got a lot of class and won a point-to-point over in Ireland. He's been schooled over fences and I think he's very good."

Noel Fehily, 26, Berkshire

Up-and-coming jockey Noel Fehily won the conditional jockeys' title last season with 42 successes and is already on his way to beating that total this term.

Fehily is keen on Moral Support and Somemanforoneman during the current campaign.

He said: "Moral Support is probably top of the list. He's a great staying horse and he'll probably start off in the Hennessy (at Newbury on December 1). He'll then be aimed at the big staying chases, including the Rehearsal Chase, Welsh National and then the Martell Grand National.

"Somemanforoneman was very exciting when he won a novices' chase at Ascot last season. He should develop into a good three-mile chaser, or possibly over two-and-a-half miles.

"The Cathcart Chase at Cheltenham (March 14) is a possibility and he might make a National horse one day, not necessarily this season maybe the season after."

Mick Fitzgerald, 31, Oxfordshire

Mick Fitzgerald was the leading rider at Cheltenham's National Hunt Festival in both 1999 and 2000, and knows what it takes to win at this wonderful event.

He is looking forward to renewing his partnership with the Nicky Henderson-trained Blue Royal, whom he recalled "was upsides Istabraq at the last in the 2000 Smurfit Champion Hurdle.

"He's a very talented individual and we've always thought of him as a Cheltenham horse when he goes over fences. He had a leg injury last season but he could scale the heights.

"He's never run over fences and he's likely to go for a novices' chase in November/early December."

Richard Johnson, 24, Gloucestershire

If any rider is to challenge Tony McCoy's monopoly of the jockey's championship this term it is likely to be Richard Johnson, who finished runner-up last season with 161 winners and is again second in the current jockeys' table.

The two horses he is keen on for 2001/02 are Gola Cher, whom trainer Alan King has already talked of as a possible Royal & SunAlliance Chase candidate at Cheltenham on March 13, and the Philip Hobbs-trained In Contrast.

Johnson said: "Gola Cher won three novices' hurdles last season. He's going staying novice chasing and is a nice horse who jumps well and will improve over fences.

"In Contrast won two bumpers at Cheltenham last year and he's going novice hurdling. He's another nice horse who showed a lot of speed in bumpers and is an encouraging prospect."

Carl Llewellyn, 36, Oxfordshire

Few jockeys are more popular than the experienced Carl Llewellyn, who rode his first winner back in 1986.

The rider picked out a couple of darker horses in The Villager and The Tall Guy for racing enthusiasts to look out for this season, one or both of whom will hopefully represent trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies at the National Hunt Festival at Cheltenham in March.

Llewellyn elaborated: "The Villager won a bumper (National Hunt Flat Race) last season and will be going novice hurdling. He's a lovely big horse and I'm expecting him to be very nice.

"The Tall Guy is going novice hurdling as well and he had one run in a bumper at Ayr last season which he won. He's quite a big horse and that race wasn't really run to suit as they went quite slow and it turned into a bit of a sprint.

"However, he quickened up in the straight and won well and I like him a lot."

Adrian Maguire, 30, Oxfordshire

Truckers Tavern, whose target is Cheltenham's Irish Independent Arkle Chase (March 12), and Narrow Water are two Ferdy Murphy-trained horses that Adrian Maguire is anticipating doing well this season.

"Truckers Tavern was a winner of a novices' hurdle at Wetherby last season. It really was a bonus winning in really good style over two miles there as he's an out-and-out stayer. He's very exciting, especially when he gets a fence in front of him," enthused Maguire.

"Narrow Water won the Eider at Newcastle last season and he's a very straightforward ride who likes the ground as soft as it can be.

"He's a National horse in the future and could go for the four-miler [the National Hunt Chase - March 13] at Cheltenham." the jockey added.

Tony McCoy, 27, Wiltshire

When Tony McCoy, the champion jockey for the last six seasons, mentions any horses he is particularly looking forward to riding this season note should be taken. He recorded the fastest 100 winners ever by a jump jockey on September 17.

McCoy, who gained 191 successes last campaign, said: "Edredon Bleu has been involved in championship races for the last four years [during which time he has won the Grand Annual Chase and Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham and Sandown's Championship Chase] and it'll be a hell of an achievement to get back to Cheltenham in March.

"Valiramix [winner of two races last season and third in Sandown's Championship Hurdle] is probably the nicest horse at Martin Pipe's yard. He was third behind Landing Light at Sandown and is a young horse who is still improving. However, I'm not sure if he'll be kept hurdling or whether he goes chasing."

Timmy Murphy, 27, Oxfordshire

The May announcement that Timmy Murphy was to become the first jockey at Paul Nicholls' Shepton Mallet yard means that the rider should have no trouble sustaining the 50+ total that he has achieved for the last four seasons, and he is already nearly half-way there.

Murphy is keen on the chances of Shotgun Willy this term and declared: "He's not in the yard at the moment - he's still at Mr Roach's [the owner]. However, I've watched some of his races last season and I'm very excited about riding him.

"He should improve from last season and I'm quite hopeful he'll be a Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup (March 14) horse if everything goes OK."

Murphy also enthused about the chances of Azertyuiop. He commented: "I sat on him recently and he's in good form. He's not wound up yet but he's a lot stronger than last year and could be a Smurfit Champion Hurdle (March 12) horse."

Tom Scudamore, 19, Gloucestershire

The 24 winners that Tom Scudamore rode last season were enough to give the son of former champion National Hunt jockey Peter Scudamore the amateur title.

Although Scudamore, about to turn professional, is unsure about which horses he will be riding this term, he was happy to point out a couple which he has partnered and believes could make a big impression at the 2002 Cheltenham Festival.

He said: "Carlovent of Mr Pipe's ran well in the Championship Hurdle at Sandown [runner-up to Baracouda] and he's a horse who could get into the frame at Cheltenham sometime during the season or at the Festival. He's come back in and seems very well.

"Frantic Tan [trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies] ran well in long-distance staying chases last season and could develop into a nice staying horse. I've only ridden him at home and he also seems well."

Andrew Thornton, 28, Berkshire

Andrew Thornton believes that two Robert Alner-trained horses, Spring Grove and Tailored, have big futures ahead.

"Spring Grove won a couple of novice chases at Kempton and Leicester last season and he's a young horse with time on his side. He's a two-and-a-half mile chaser to look forward to, but I can't say if Cheltenham is on the agenda - we'll have to play it by ear.

"Tailored won his only race last season, a novices' handicap chase at Kempton. He's unexposed with one run and one win over fences and hopefully he'll make up into a good horse over two-and-a-half to three miles.

"I'd like to think that long-term he might be aimed at something like the William Hill National Hunt Handicap Chase (March 12) but obviously he's got to prove himself."

Joe Tizzard, 21, Dorset

With rides from the likes of Paul Nicholls, father Colin Tizzard and Brendan Powell this season, Joe Tizzard must have every chance of exceeding the half-century of winners he gained last season.

The young rider is enthusiastic about the chances of Dear Deal who is trained by his father. He said: "Dear Deal won his only two starts in novices' hurdles last season at Exeter and Wincanton. He then got jarred up, but he's back in now and he's a very nice horse.

"He goes novice chasing and if he turns out as good as we think he is he could be a Royal & SunAlliance Chase (March 13) horse.

"Cruise The Fairway has gone to Brendan Powell. He won a novice hurdle at Exeter on New Year's Day, but lost his way a bit after that as he wanted better ground.

"He's a lovely young horse who has summered very well and he might start hurdling and then go novice chasing. I think he's very nice and he could be good enough for Cheltenham."

Norman Williamson, 32, Berkshire

Norman Williamson has been among the leading jump jockeys for over a decade now and has secured four centuries of winners in Britain.

He is hopeful that the Mark Pitman-trained Sheer Genius will aid him in reaching 100 winners again this season.

He said: "Sheer Genius won a novice hurdle at Cheltenham last year and was third there in a better race later on [Grade Two Bristol Novices' Hurdle]. He's going novice chasing.

"I rode him out the other morning and he could be a top-class novice chaser. I've no idea where he'll start off and the Cheltenham Festival is a long way off."

REDCAR'S FRIDAY PROGRAMME HONOURS DOUBLE TRIGGER

Supported again by The European Breeders Fund, the Double Trigger Maiden Stakes is a contest for two-year-olds over nine furlongs - the equivalent race won by Double Trigger on his racecourse debut at this meeting in 1993, when he broke the track record for a two-year-old over that distance, winning by ten lengths at 14/1! A remarkable career was launched. Trained at Middleham by Mark Johnston, Double Trigger won 14 of his 29 races, twelve of which were Group races, becoming the first horse for over 150 years to win the Doncaster Cup three times (1995, '96 and '98). He had a locomotive named after him by GNER (sponsors of the Doncaster Cup), while a life-size bronze of Double Trigger stands at Doncaster racecourse. Double Trigger is now a dual-purpose stallion, standing at East Burrow Farm Stud in Devon. In a racing career in which he earned his connections over £500,000, Double Trigger was purchased for just IR£7,200 at the 1992 Irish National Yearling Sale!

Redcar's seven-race programme on Friday is scheduled to begin at 2.15 p.m. with a contest for juvenile maiden fillies, also supported by The European Breeders Fund. The most valuable race of the afternoon is The Constant Security Rated Stakes - a handicap race for stayers over one mile and threequarters - sponsored by the company which performs the security duties at Redcar and many other racecourses, particularly in the north.

NEW ZEALAND THOROUGHBRED NEWS

But now that the better spring tracks have arrived we have seen the progeny of both stallions leap into action.

Over the past fortnight we have seen Volksraad come up with four very exciting three year old prospects, two on each side of the Tasman.

In New Zealand Vinaka lived up to his billing by impressively winning both his starts incl. the Group 3 Hawkes Bay Guineas, while on the same programme highly promising Volksraad filly Blackrock College stormed home from last to run a close second in the Group 3 Highview Stakes.

And in Australia on Saturday the Gerald Ryan trained I'm in Heaven lived up to his considerable reputation when extending his record to three from five at Eagle Farm. She is regarded as a Classic filly and was higly impressive on Saturday.

Meanwhile the previous week the Ross McDonald trained Air Cooled won at his third start in Victoria. Having been stakesplaced at Flemington at his only start at two, Air Cooled had resumed with a second at Sandown before justifying his favouratism with a strong win last week. He looks set to feature in good races over the the coming months in Melbourne.

So close to three from three at Ellerslie

And if Volksraad is on a roll, even he couldn't match Casual Lies run over recent weeks. Three very impressive wins in NZ in the last week, including a double at Ellerslie on Saturday have kickstarted the season for Casual Lies.

Casual Lies had three runners at Ellerslie on Saturday, the very good performer Sir Lancelot, plus the regarded three year old filliy Moon Magic and very promising My One True Love. And it was only the neck that Inner Beauty headed My One True Love that stopped it being a clean sweep by all three, both Moon Magic and Sir Lancelot being impressive winners earlier in the day.

And these efforts followed an even more spectacular effort from Preferred Lies who resumed with a devastating finishing burst at Te Aroha mid week.

And in Australia Casual Lies has started the new season on the best possible note with four individual metropolian winners during the seasons first month. In Melbourne the Lee Freedman pair of Marlie and Anyone We Know joined the Terry Sullivan trained Casual Remark in the winners stall. While at Eagle Farm the Alan Jones trained Go Clinton won a listed $60,000 event at Eagle Farm.

For old articles (from 1st March 2000) go to the Newslink Archive

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