OWNER and professional gambler Stephen Arnold withdrew Brown Pete at Wolverhampton on Monday after the Racing Post revealed he is facing ten counts of laying his horses to lose on Betfair.
The charges were confirmed by the BHA on Monday, after Arnold had earlier been subject to what he described as “a barrage of abuse” on Twitter.
Arnold, 44, admits the offences, but is adamant in each instance he laid the horses for small amounts in order to back them for substantial sums at the best price available with bookmakers.
Professional punter Harry Findlay mounted a similar defence in 2010 after being charged with laying his own horses and was fined £4,500 after his six-month warning-off was quashed by the BHA appeal board.
The ten all-weather races at the centre of the disciplinary inquiry scheduled to be heard on December 5 cover the period between June 18, 2012 and March 15 this year, and involve nine of Arnold’s horses. They include Brown Pete, who was laid to £50 by Arnold when beaten in a race at Lingfield last November.
The charges stem from a BHA investigation into the Brown Pete affair at Wolverhampton last December, when Arnold and his associates won around £130,000 after another three of his horses were withdrawn from a race won by Brown Pete amid claims of transport problems.
Arnold said: “I rang up [BHA investigating officer] Tim Miller and told him I didn’t feel like going to Wolverhampton with Brown Pete when he was the key to the start of all this business. He spoke to Lyn Williams [BHA disciplinary manager], who gave us permission for the horse to be withdrawn because of all the press scrutiny at the moment.
“Had Brown Pete won there would have been even more adverse publicity, and I couldn’t face it after the barrage of abuse I’ve had all day.”
Arnold, who has 21 horses under the Rakebackmypoker-com banner with Violet Jordan, and runs On The Cusp at Southwell on Tuesday, added: “I’m pleased I spoke to the Post to explain my side because all the BHA statement says is I’ve been charged with laying.”
Arnold pulls runner out in wake of probe | Horse Racing News | Racing Post
While Nicky Henderson’s former Gold Cup winner bids for a third success in the Boxing Day event it is the David Pipe-trained Dynaste who heads the betting at 5-1 with the race’s sponsor William Hill.
David Pipe’s gelding won the Kauto Star Feltham Novices’ Chase in impressive fashion at Kempton last year – his first start at the course – before going on to win the Mildmay Novices’ at Aintree in the spring.
Long Run is an 8-1 chance for a repeat performance of last season’s epic battle with Captain Chris – who is rated a 25-1 shot – after a disappointing showing in last weekend’s Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby, in which he finished out of the first three for the first time in his career, but subsequently was found to have scoped badly.
Champion trainer Henderson has five possible runners, including Long Run, with the Seven Barrows handler also leaving in Captain Conan, Finian’s Rainbow, Riverside Theatre and Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Bobs Worth.
Other contenders include Ryanair Chase victor Cue Card and the talented Paul Nicholls-trained Silviniaco Conti, while Irish maestro Willie Mullins, winner with Florida Pearl in 2001, has Sir Des Champs and Prince De Beauchene in the field out of eight Irish entries.
William Hill King George VI Chase odds: 5-1 Dynaste, 6-1 Bobs Worth, Cue Card, Silviniaco Conti, 7-1 Sir Des Champs, 8-1 Long Run, 12-1 Al Ferof, 16-1 Captain Conan, Flemenstar, Mount Benbulben, 20-1 Lord Windermere, Menorah, Tidal Bay, 25-1 bar.
Horse Racing: It may be a long shot for Long Run | Racing | Sport | Daily Star. Simply The Best 7 Days A Week
Sent off the 6/4 favourite, Mountain Tunes looked to be struggling on the home turn but gradually closed in upon leader Kris Spin from the second-last flight and under the kind of determined drive that has become McCoy's trademark, he got up in the last strides to score by half a length in the colours of owner JP McManus, with whom so many of his recent successes have been shared.
"It was just amazing, it couldn't have worked out any better," said McCoy, before being showered with champagne by his weighing-room colleagues.
"To do it for Jonjo and the McManus's is brilliant as they've been so good to me. It was always hopefully going to be in JP's colours.
"Racing people are fantastic, they are so pleased for me. I've had the same agent, Dave Roberts, from day one and his dad sadly passed away yesterday so I'd like to dedicate this to him.
"To have Chanelle (wife), Eve and Archie (children) here is great and to do it in the McManus silks means a lot - Eve thinks they belong to me!"
McCoy spoke of his appreciation at the support he had received, saying he was "humbled".
He said: "I'm very lucky I work in a great sport. I get lots of support and work for great people. You only have to look at the amount of people who have come out today and supported me. I feel very humbled by it. "I don't feel I'm any different to anyone else. I hope everyone in the weighing room doesn't think I am any different after today.
"I've ridden 4,000 winners. I'll try to ride a few more. I'm really proud of what I've achieved and being able to last, one way or another. I'm lucky and proud to have done it."
McManus paid his own tribute to the rider. "I remember when AP first came to ride for us and [ex-jockey and trainer] Christy Roche said to me 'This AP McCoy is getting 7lb - he should be giving weight away'," he said. "Little did we realise then that he'd be riding 4000 winners.
"AP is behind everything that is good. I'm just so pleased and proud that I know him and his family and long may he continue.
"It was very nice that he waited to ride one of mine and I'm chuffed that he did." McManus announced he would pay for drinks at Towcester so everyone could celebrate.
He said: "I was delighted to have the opportunity to buy a drink for everybody here to toast what AP has done today. I'm very fortunate."
O'Neill said: "He's an amazing man, fantastic, that was brilliant to watch - 4,000 winners or not, that was a brilliant race to watch.
"His pain barrier must be something else, he's been through a lot. He's great with all the staff. He's brilliant at schooling. If one is tricky he'll school it afterwards and show the lads how it's done. Not in a cocky way.
"He's a great ambassador for the whole job. He's never late and is always on time. We've all been in this game long enough to know you've got to enjoy it, we're just lucky enough to make a living out of it. JP's family are just fantastic supporters and love the game. I'm just privileged to have been part of it all."
Chanelle McCoy outlined plans for a party at her husband's pub and that he would be buying a special present for Eve, who turns six on Friday.
She said: "This is incredible. I didn't think he was going to do it. It was nearly too good to be true as his dad is here, his brother is here and Mr McManus is here.
"Our hearts were in our mouths, we'd given up - it was a typical AP ride, definitely. Daddy promised Eve an extra present when he got his 4,000th winner. We've been following Tony around this week, so Eve has had to have this week off school."
Remarkable Tony McCoy rides 4000th winner at Towcester | Horse Racing News
Buffering has confirmed himself as the heir to Black Caviar's crown as the best sprinter in the land with a second Group One win in 15 days after he took out the VRC Sprint Classic (1200m) in dashing fashion.
The retirement of the unbeaten mare earlier this year after 25 straight wins left a void in the sprinting ranks and while Buffering is nowhere near the freak of Black Caviar, he has stepped up as the fastest non-retired horse in the land.
Despite having broken his Group One duck at his 17th attempt in the Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley, Buffering started at $11 for the premier sprint race of the Melbourne spring. Lucky Nine, the Hong Kong raider who had run Buffering to a narrow margin at Moonee Valley, was the heavily supported favourite, but jockey Damian Browne made a nonsense of the notion that the Queensland champ was a lucky winner last start by taking the six-year-old to the front and making all the running.
He upped the tempo through the middle part of the race and Lucky Nine, who had sat on his outside was immediately under pressure, while it was clear Moment of Change, who would wind-up third would not have the dash to match the leader with 400m to go.
It left Newmarket Handicap winner Shamexpress ($18) as the one to come out after Buffering late in the race but while the four-year-old made up many lengths, he never looked like bridging the gap.
As opposed to Moonee Valley two weeks ago, Buffering had a clear margin of victory, allowing Browne and Robert Heathcote a chance to celebrate the win as soon as he crossed the line.
"Little Buffering has done the job and as I said to the boys earlier, there's no Black Caviar, no Hay List, no Sepoy, there's a Buffering," Heathcote said. "He put the pressure on coming to the 400m and I started to smile then."
"There were probably a few unanswered questions after the Manikato because a couple of people thought he might have been lucky but there was no luck in that today, it was pure guts, determination and ability."
It caps a great few weeks for jockey Browne, who has been a huge part of the Brisbane sprinter's success.
"I've made no secret that I have a huge opinion of Damian Browne, not only as a rider, but as a bloke and he's just so calm, cool and collected and prior to the race I didn't discuss riding instruction because I was happy to leave it to Damian," the trainer said.
Browne diverted all praise to Buffering, who he said made his job all the more easier.
"This horse improved again and it's just terrific for Rob and the whole bunch of guys in this horse for him to back up again this week and do it again," he said.
"The first furlong and a half I got through pretty quietly and as we came across the juncture I started to put a bit of pressure on and got them off the bit and as soon as I asked him for the kick he gave me a quick length and then it’s just a matter of fighting them off."
"Hopefully he's standing up as the county’s number one sprinter."
Buffering will most likely head to Perth now to contest the Winterbottom Stakes.
"I'm still going to Perth because I've promised the boys so hopefully he'll be a nice drawcard for their carnival then he'll come home to Brisbane," Heathcote said.
Horse Racing News | Buffering doubles Group One glory
Experienced Australian jockey Desiree Gill has died from injuries she sustained after falling in a race at the Sunshine Coast Turf Club, Racing Queensland said on Sunday. The 45-year-old, whose racing career spanned 30 years, fell heavily from her mount Celtic Ambition on Saturday evening and suffered a traumatic head injury. She never regained consciousness.
"I know everyone in the racing fraternity is saddened by this tragic loss and we pass on our deepest sympathies to Desiree's husband Barry and the Gill family," Racing Queensland chief executive Darren Condon said in a statement.
Another female jockey, Simone Montgomerie, died in August after falling at the Darwin Racecourse in Northern Territory and being trampled by other horses.
R.I.P.
Horse Racing - Australian female jockey dies after fall - Yahoo Eurosport UK
FLEMENSTAR made a winning start to life with new trainer Tony Martin, the eight-year-old taking the Fortria Chase for the second season running with a solid, rather than sparkling performance.
Having been with Peter Casey, Flemenstar was switched to Tony Martin in September, and completed a treble on the card for the trainer, who had already struck with Dedigout and Spacious Sky.
Although last season Flemenstar was campaigned over 2m4f and 3m, with the Gold Cup his aim, that had to be aborted as it was discovered that he had a lung infection following defeat by Sir Des Champs in the Irish Hennessy.
Back to 2m, Andrew Lynch's mount handled the trip perfectly well, but was very big over several of his fences, lacking the slickness he had shown in the past. Lynch said post-race: "He was jumping a bit big and was that way this time last year."
Martin added: "Hopefully the jumping might be just freshness. I am just finding my feet with him. I'll see how he is in the next couple of weeks."
Paddy Power left Flemenstar unchanged at 7-1 for the Ryanair, and 20-1 for the Gold Cup. It was Realt Mor who took the field along with Flemenstar second, and turning for home Lynch came to challenge, taking up the running three out.
Having reached the front easily, Lynch had a look round at his rivals two out, but Flemenstar idled towards the last with Days Hotel able to get within a length and a quarter at the line.
Martin added: "He let fly at a few down the back. I am just relieved it is over. I'd say he idled in front and he will come on from the run. We'll see what his jumping is like in the next week or two."
Navan Flemenstar makes winning debut for Martin | Horse Racing News | Racing Post
THE running of the Melbourne Cup Carnival at Flemington last week was a shining example of the appeal, size, strength and colour of the business of horse racing.
The Melbourne Cup is arguably the largest and best-known horse race in the world and the number of iternational visitors for the big race continues to climb.
Horses from across the wrld visited Flemington for the carnival last week and, over the years, the big Cup race has been won by New Zealanders, English, Irish, Japanese, and more recently by French invaders.
However the Melbourne Cup is just the tip of the iceberg of the horse racing industry in Australia. Many are reliant for their income on the idustry and in Queensland alone there are 30,000 participants.
It starts with the breeding farms where about 18,000 foals are born each year around Australia before being sold at yearling sales.
The purchaser will then select a trainer to prepare the horse for racing to chase a share of the $400m prize money on offer across Australia. This prize money is funded out of a portion of the annual Australian tote and TAB turnover of around $9 billion.
It is however estimated that the costs to the owners of purchasing the horses and having them trained is near to three times the amount of prize money paid out across the nation.
This would indicate that horse racing is not a wise investment, but it is an industry where dreams of riches can come true.
The biggest recent example of this was the champion mare Black Caviar and her trainer Peter Moody.
Moody was raised in Charleville and, at 15 years of age, headed off to the famous TJ Smith stables in Sydney.
After learning the trade he took a trainer's licence out in Queensland and actually won his first premiership at Ipswich.
Soon after, Moody relocated to Victoria and now he has around 250 horses and 800 clients whose investments he is managing. Moody has been Victorian premier trainer and of course trained the unbeaten and now retired Black Caviar, who he bought for $210,000 and who earned $7.35 million career prize money - this is a great return in anyone's eyes.
Black Caviar has recently been confirmed as in foal to one of Australia's top stallions Exceed and Excel, and the offspring will be well sought after to hopefully become a new dream investment for another lucky owner.
Upcoming event:
Ipswich Chamber of Commerce & Industry AGM followed by our final Networking After 5 event for 2012 - Tuesday, December 4 - The Ipswich Club Gray Street starting at 5pm. Free for members.
Nominations Open - 2014 Ipswich Chamber of Commerce & Industry Board. Completed nomination form and attachments to be received by the Chamber office on or before 2.30pm, Friday, November 15.
Horse racing's an industry where dreams of riches come true | Ipswich Queensland Times
Another annual iconic horse race took place that stopped the nation, reduced productivity and created the excuse for a big dress-up and a special luncheon.
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This event is set in stone as part of the Aussie way of life, up there with Vegemite, kangaroos and the Sydney to Hobart yacht race.
The outcome of the race itself was apparently predictable. Western Australians bet $15,000,000 on the race(s).
Some horses like to gallop quickly.
Some like to jump.
Racehorses are high maintenance and those who don’t earn a quid fall by the wayside.
All these horses are used by people to make money.
They are forced to endure long journeys in small spaces in order to compete. During the 2013 Melbourne Cup race a French horse broke its leg and lost its life. It’s happened before.
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No doubt I’m a killjoy to some but I say the image Australians present to the world is that they’re supposedly having fun by exploiting or harming other living creatures that have no voice to speak for them.
I voice a protest for them and I boycott such events.
LETTER: Horse racing is exploitation and I intend to boycott it | Bunbury Mail
JOHN McCririck has lost an age discrimination employment tribunal case against Channel 4 today after it was ruled his persona was "unpalatable" to wider audiences. The veteran horse racing pundit, 73, labelled the decision as a "historic setback" for employees aged between their thirties and seventies.
Mr McCririck, whom Channel 4 announced last year would not be joining their presenting team for 2013, had claimed he was sacked because of his age.
However, a Central London Employment Tribunal panel ruled against him in the £3 million case.
Mr McCririck said: "This is an historic setback for all employees in their 30s to their 70s.
"After such a landmark judicial verdict, my failed legal action ensures that anonymous suits and skirts, who control the media, numerous other businesses and the public sector, will now enjoy complete freedom to replace older employees whatever their unimpaired ability and merit.
"I have let them all down along with my wife, the Booby, my legal team, friends, colleagues and countless members of the public who supported me throughout. My grateful thanks and apologies to every one of them." Mr McCririck, who was famous for his deerstalker hat and gold jewellery, had taken his former employer and production company IMG Media Limited to the tribunal.
Both firms had denied discrimination in the case.
The panel ruled that McCririck's behaviour on TV was "unpalatable" to a wide audience and ruled against the pundit.
It said: "All the evidence is that Mr McCririck's pantomime persona, as demonstrated on the celebrity television appearances, and his persona when appearing on Channel 4 Racing, together with his self-described bigoted and male chauvinist views were clearly unpalatable to a wider potential audience.
"The tribunal is satisfied that the respondent had the legitimate aim of attracting a wider audience to horse racing." Mr McCririck had been dropped by the broadcaster when Channel 4 awarded the racing contract to IMG Media and a new presenting team led by Clare Balding was unveiled.
The employment tribunal panel were told by witnesses from Channel 4 and IMG that Mr McCririck had been dropped for being "offensive" and "disgusting".
However, he claimed sexist remarks and rude behaviour were a "pantomime" role encouraged by Channel 4.
Thomas Linden QC, counsel for Channel 4, said in closing comment that Mr McCririck had claimed he could swift from an "obnoxious" persona to a more serious on.
But Mr Linden said it was not the case that the broadcaster could ask Mr Cririck to not act in an "extravagant manner" and he would comply.
He said: "Even without data, it's a reasonable assumption, isn't it, that the claimant's profile, whether that is in his reality television programmes or in racing broadcasting, was off-putting to many.
"A lot of racing viewers are right-thinking people who find this sort of behaviour obnoxious."
Horse racing pundit John McCririck loses age discrimination tribunal against Channel 4 | UK | News | Daily Express
Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Gai Waterhouse has been fined $2000 for the treatment of her horse Tres Blue on race day.
Tres Blue had an antibiotic cream applied to his heels on the morning of last week’s Melbourne Cup, a transgression that usually sees the treated horse banned from racing that day.
But stewards were satisfied the infringement was on the lower end of the scale and allowed the stallion, along with Dunaden who also received raceday treatment, to partake in the race that stops the nation.
The Victorian Racing Appeals and Disciplinary (RAD) Board chairman Judge Russell Lewis also agreed on Friday at Waterhouse's hearing that the offence was at the 'low end' but added: "Anything less than a fine was not appropriate."
Earlier in the day, Racing Victoria amended Waterhouse's charge to one that relates to negligence.
Waterhouse's legal representative told the RAD Board that Waterhouse did not authorise or have any knowledge of the treatment to Tres Blue and that the employee responsible for the application of the cream was 'overwhelmed by the day'.
The RAD Board was also asked for a warning by Waterhouse's legal representative who insisted it was 'an incredibly minor infraction of the rule'.
But that request was dismissed and Waterhouse now has until November 30 to pay the fine.
Horse Racing News | Gai Waterhouse fined for Tres Blue treatment
Before this Steel Plate and Sections Novice event, owner Dai Walters had been hoping for an impressive chasing bow by eightyear-old Oscar Whisky, who has become one of the top staying hurdlers of his generation.
But he was badly hampered at the first fence when The Cockney Mackem stuttered into it and he was left in front despite all four runners scrambling over.
Barry Geraghty couldn't get a lead, even though the pace slowed to a crawl and he had to step it up himself.
The two principals pulled clear after the second last and though Oscar Whisky was still ahead over the last, he was outpaced on the run-in by a typical McCoy flourish on Jonjo O'Neill's rising star, who nicked it by a neck.
"I saw AP was just behind us. It had to be him!" sighed Walters. "But I can assure you Oscar will have his day.
"It was a crap race. He needed a run and warmed to his jumping.
"We'll go softy, softly for the moment, but I can assure you he will win here in March."
His trainer Nicky Henderson was even more adamant. "It was the biggest b😟?cks of a race ever run at Cheltenham," he fumed. "Jonjo should pay us half the money for acting as pacemak-er." O'Neill admitted: "I was worried there would be no gallop. We jumped well and they sprinted over the last two. He handled the track well and jumped well, so I'm happy with him.
"This fella has a lot of pace and he's got a bit stronger this year."
Asked about McCoy's enthusiasm for the winner, O'Neill couldn't resist a cheeky smile as he claimed: "He's never ridden one as good as this!
"But, seriously, I've no doubt this is a good horse. We'll get another run into him before Christmas."
McCoy said: "It was a bit of a sprint and he was a little bit idle when he got past Oscar Whisky.
"Ideally we wanted to go two miles with him on Sunday but the Broughtons, who own him, also have Dodging Bullets in that.
"You can't gauge Oscar Whisky on that but it was a good performance giving him 5lb." Michael Legg, 23, landed his first Cheltenham winner at the second time of asking when giving Handy Andy a peach of a ride in the Opus Energy Amateurs' Handicap Chase.
His first ride was on the same horse, who was left in front by fallers and faded into fourth at the previous meeting.
Told by trainer Colin Tizzard to hold him up until the last minute, he unleashed the improving seven-year-old to collar 50-1 chance Charingworth after the last and won by two and a half lengths.
He unleashed the improving seven-year-old to collar 50-1 chance Charingworth after the last and won by two and a half Standing Ovation, favourite to win five in a row, Standing Ovation, favourite to win five in a row, was beaten before the turn into the straight. Philip Hobbs will be entering his smart Glenfarclas Cross-Country Chase winner Balthazar King in the Grand National, for which he's a 33-1 shot with Paddy Power. He made most of the running under Richard Johnson to see off last year's winner Uncle Junior.
But Hobbs is also eyeing France's most valuable cross-country race Le Lion d'Angers in May.
"He's in the Hennessy Gold Cup, but Richard said he felt a bit flat today," he revealed.
TAQUIN DU SEUIL gave history-maker A P McCoy another reason to keep on riding by claiming the scalp of Oscar Whisky at Cheltenham yesterday.
Before this Steel Plate and Sections Novice event, owner Dai Walters had been hoping for an impressive chasing bow by eightyear-old Oscar Whisky, who has become one of the top staying hurdlers of his generation.
But he was badly hampered at the first fence when The Cockney Mackem stuttered into it and he was left in front despite all four runners scrambling over.
Barry Geraghty couldn't get a lead, even though the pace slowed to a crawl and he had to step it up himself.
The two principals pulled clear after the second last and though Oscar Whisky was still ahead over the last, he was outpaced on the run-in by a typical McCoy flourish on Jonjo O'Neill's rising star, who nicked it by a neck.
"I saw AP was just behind us. It had to be him!" sighed Walters. "But I can assure you Oscar will have his day.
"It was a crap race. He needed a run and warmed to his jumping.
"We'll go softy, softly for the moment, but I can assure you he will win here in March."
His trainer Nicky Henderson was even more adamant. "It was the biggest b😟?cks of a race ever run at Cheltenham," he fumed. "Jonjo should pay us half the money for acting as pacemak-er." O'Neill admitted: "I was worried there would be no gallop. We jumped well and they sprinted over the last two. He handled the track well and jumped well, so I'm happy with him.
"This fella has a lot of pace and he's got a bit stronger this year."
Asked about McCoy's enthusiasm for the winner, O'Neill couldn't resist a cheeky smile as he claimed: "He's never ridden one as good as this!
"But, seriously, I've no doubt this is a good horse. We'll get another run into him before Christmas."
McCoy said: "It was a bit of a sprint and he was a little bit idle when he got past Oscar Whisky.
"Ideally we wanted to go two miles with him on Sunday but the Broughtons, who own him, also have Dodging Bullets in that.
"You can't gauge Oscar Whisky on that but it was a good performance giving him 5lb." Michael Legg, 23, landed his first Cheltenham winner at the second time of asking when giving Handy Andy a peach of a ride in the Opus Energy Amateurs' Handicap Chase.
His first ride was on the same horse, who was left in front by fallers and faded into fourth at the previous meeting.
Told by trainer Colin Tizzard to hold him up until the last minute, he unleashed the improving seven-year-old to collar 50-1 chance Charingworth after the last and won by two and a half lengths.
he unleashed the improving seven-year-old to collar 50-1 chance Charingworth after the last and won by two and a half Standing Ovation, favourite to win five in a row, Standing Ovation, favou
The talented six-year-old just failed to land a gamble when beaten by Olofi in 2012. But he can repay punters and give Nicky Henderson his first winner in the race.
The lightly-raced gelding is set to run off exactly the same mark as last year following a relatively disappointing second half to the 2012-13 campaign.
But his three subsequent unplaced efforts didn’t tell the whole story. He ran a solid race when seventh in the Tote Gold Trophy behind the classy My Tent Or Yours and then simply didn’t stay the 2m 5f in the Coral Cup at the Cheltenham Festival.
A fast run two miles over the stiff Prestbury Park track is his optimum set-up and I fancy he will see off the likes of Court Minstrel and good ground merchant Rawnaq.
I think Sea Lord was flattered by his success in a Listed novice hurdle at Kempton last time out as the race fell apart from the third last and I am keen to take him on in the 1.35 with THE LIQUIDATOR.
David Pipe has taken his time with this athletic son of Overbury and his jumping was a revelation on his timber-topping debut at Carlisle.
This Grade Two event obviously requires a huge step-up but he has shown in the past that the contours of Cheltenham suit him well and the five-year-old can see off John Ferguson’s runner.
TED VEALE makes his chasing debut in the Racing Post Arkle Trophy Trial Novices’ Chase at 2.10 and that in itself is a tip from the shrewd Tony Martin. This versatile six-year-old may have too much speed for Raya Star over the minimum trip and has more to fear from Dodging Bullets.
Stamina will be the name of the game along with guts and determination in the 3m 4f Southern National at Fontwell Park (1.50) and SWINCOMBE ROCK can lay it down to his rivals.
He looked in need of the outing before departing at the 18th in the race won by the progressive Standing Ovation at Wincanton and this is more his kind of test.
The eight-year-old has a good record on deep ground and may be able to give the weight to the stamina-laden bottom weight The Clyda Rover.
Over at Punchestown HURRICANE FLY has a fairly simple task in the Grade One Morgiana Hurdle at 2.15, so a better value wager is the quirky DEFY LOGIC (1.05).
The selection has bundles of natural talent and is taken to turn over likely favourite Felix Younger.
Horse Racing: Cash And Go's payback time | Racing | Sport | Daily Star. Simply The Best 7 Days A Week
One of the horses in the Newbury paddock the day two were electrocuted early in 2011, he then survived a horror fall at Lingfield when 18 lengths clear the following November.
His last win came in January 2012, though he was a good second to Alderwood in the Grand Annual at this year's Festival.
"Tony gave him a beautiful ride," said winning trainer Nicky Henderson.
"He let it all go off up ahead, putting Kid Cassidy to sleep at the back, and it paid off.
"AP said that he gave him a little blow coming down the hill and felt he always had a chance of catching the leaders.
"The horse nearly died at Newbury and again at Lingfield and is lucky to be alive.
"He has fought his own battles and survived. He has won a good prize today and all credit to him."
One of the horses in the Newbury paddock the day two were electrocuted early in 2011, he then survived a horror fall at Lingfield when 18 lengths clear the following November.
His last win came in January 2012, though he was a good second to Alderwood in the Grand Annual at this year's Festival.
"Tony gave him a beautiful ride," said winning trainer Nicky Henderson.
"He let it all go off up ahead, putting Kid Cassidy to sleep at the back, and it paid off.
"AP said that he gave him a little blow coming down the hill and felt he always had a chance of catching the leaders.
"The horse nearly died at Newbury and again at Lingfield and is lucky to be alive.
"He has fought his own battles and survived. He has won a good prize today and all credit to him."
Kid Cassidy shines in Shloer Chase at Cheltenham | Horse Racing | Sport | Daily Express
The pair became best mates when Fehily was Charlie Mann’s stable jockey.
Sullivan now has his horses with Paul Nicholls, and the pair have decided to put Fehily up on Silviniaco Conti in the Betfred Chase on Saturday.
Nicholls’ stable jockey Daryl Jacob will be deployed down at Ascot on Al Ferof and Zarkandar, so his nose should not be put out of place.
Using Fehily is as commendable as it is logical, given he rode Silviniaco Conti three times back in 2010.
Nicholls said on his Betfair blog: "Nothing should be read into the fact that Noel rides what was probably our stable star last season.
“He has ridden Conti before, in fact when winning on him in the 2m4f hurdle at Ascot three years ago that Zarkandar goes for on Saturday.
"It simply makes sense for our number one jockey to go to Ascot to ride two of our best horses in Zarkandar - who Daryl obviously knows so well having won on him four times, including the Triumph - and Al Ferof, who he has ridden a lot at home in his comeback from injury."
Noel Fehily to race for Jared Sullivan at Haydock | Horse Racing | Sport | Daily Express
There will not be any live horse racing at Yellowstone Downs in Billings for the third consecutive summer.
Tom Tucker, executive secretary of the Montana Board of Horse Racing, said in a Wednesday press release that the Yellowstone Horse Racing Alliance withdrew their application for eight days of racing at MetraPark for 2014 due to a lack of funds being provided by the MBHR based on estimates for the 2014 season.
MBHR chairman Dale Mahlum also announced that there will be seven days of live racing in the state in 2014 -- the same as in 2013.
The Miles City Bucking Horse Sale race meet will take place May 11, 17 and 18. The State Fair race meet in Great Falls will run July 19, 20, 26 and 27.
Mahlum said that 2013 "was a good step towards financial stability" and that the MBHR "continues to work to improve our sources of revenue and raise our financial support for the tracks."
Miles City and Great Falls also provided the only live racing last spring and summer.
STUART WILLIAMS will be travelling "full of hope" that Eton Rifles can land a third consecutive edition of this race, which is run over Fontainebleau's unique downhill sprint track.
A setback early in the season led Williams to take a leaf out of Freddy Head's book in gearing the eight-year-old's campaign around the hat-trick bid, just as his Chantilly counterpart did with Moonlight Cloud in her historic chase for more Group 1 glory at Deauville in August.
"He had a small problem in the spring and then he couldn't run over the summer because of the fast ground so, we decided to train him for the same two races at home and then back to Fontainebleau," said Williams, who has booked Andrea Atzeni.
"He ran a cracking race at Ascot and I don't think it was a bad effort in a better race than he won last year up at Doncaster. I'm going full of hope that he can pull off the hat-trick."
One of three Listed races on the card - the final pattern action on the turf in France this season - the Contessina has also attracted the in-form Tariq Too from Amy Weaver's yard, while Nini Ok travels from John Murphy's base in County Cork.
"Her owner really wants to get her some black-type and, after she finished fourth in a Listed race in Germany, he's willing to travel for it," said Murhy, adding: "She should go well."
Murphy and Weaver are also represented by Queen Of Norway and Silver Treasure respectively in the 6f Prix Zeddan (1.50pm GMT) over the same course and distance, while Jessica Harrington saddles Liberating in the Prix Ceres (1.20pm GMT) over 7f.
France Eton Rifles primed for Contessina hat trick bid | Horse Racing News | Racing Post
With the new $88-million Meadowlands Racetrack scheduled to open for live racing today, Jeff Gural understandably has a case of the jitters.
Gural, the managing partner of Meadowlands Racing and Entertainment, and fellow investors are wagering that the smaller building loaded with creature comforts for harness-racing fans and bettors will be able to turn a profit in an industry that has fallen on hard times.
The new Meadowlands is about a third of the size of the old one, which is located on the other side of the one-mile oval racing surface. Its grandstand can seat 2,200, and the clubhouse, simulcasting area, bars, upscale restaurant, sky boxes, corporate meeting rooms and outdoor terraces can hold 10,000. An outdoor facility expected to be finished next year will expand capacity to about 20,000 for major events such as the Hambletonian in August.
The simulcasting part of the building opened Monday.
"I am very excited because I am dying to see what feedback we get, and how it is going to play out," Gural said late Wednesday afternoon. "You put all this time, effort and energy into it, but the reality is that it is like a Broadway play or a movie. You have to wait until the reviews are in."
The key number to determine whether the new track is succeeding will be the amount of money bet on the live cards at the track each night. Gural is hoping to see a 20 percent increase in that handle over last year.
In dollars, Gural said success would be nightly wagering of around $300,000-$400,000. A good night would be $500,000 wagered on a card.
Gural, who also owns Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs harness track in upstate New York, has built this one with all the things that he likes. There are high-definition TVs and seating at almost every turn. There are areas for every type of bettor, from the average $2 guy to those seeking the privacy of an intimate carpeted room. The food is very important, Gural said, who has been picky selecting his vendors. Admission and parking are free.
The key though will be drawing patrons, which has been hard in this industry.
When the Meadowlands opened in 1976, the average crowds were in the 18,000 range on weeknights and up to 25,000 on weekends. The crowds have dwindled to a couple of thousand a night.
- See more at: Horse Racing: New Meadowlands Racetrack starts racing Saturday - NorthJersey-com
COOTAMUNDRA chose a fine moment to record a first victory over fences, as the John Berry-trained ten-year-old pounced late for Robbie Moran to deny Mad Brian.
A 25-1 shot, Cootamundra had last tasted success in February 2012 over hurdles, but there was no fluke about his latest success, as Moran travelled strongly through the field before delivering a winning challenge. Berry said: "It's great he's been threatening to win a big one for a long time. He just needs to land there on the line. It's great for Robbie his uncle owns a share in him and we are all delighted."
Last year's winner Tofino Bay, Sole Witness and Cross Appeal were the three leaders for much of the race as there were no dramas for the first circuit.
The trio continued to dictate until four out when Tofino Bay weakened rapidly, with challengers starting to emerge at the top of the straight.
Colbert Station had been bought stealthily into contention by Tony McCoy, and the pair took up the running at three out.
However Mad Brian, and Cootamundra soon arrived on the scene, and all three jumped the last together.
It was Moran's mount that got to the line first from 7-1 chance Mad Brian, while Crabbie's Grand National fancy Colbert Station ran a cracker in third a 10-1. Fourth went to Rockyaboya, who was also 7-1.
Navan Cootamundra springs surprise in Troytown | Horse Racing News | Racing Post
Susannah Ricci’s unbeaten mare has now won all her eight races and the Ascot runner-up was the classiest horse she has yet to take on – Zarkandar being a Grade One winner that has banked over half a million quid.
Walsh told Racing UK: “She stepped out of novice company for the first time and it was probably the first time she has been off the bridle. I was delighted with the way she picked up.
“We haven’t got to the bottom of her yet. She doesn’t lack pace and she doesn’t lack stamina.
“Willie (Mullins) will probably want to run her over Christmas or early in the New Year. All options are open.” Walsh is looking forward to Sunday’s Fairyhouse card where he could find he is on the favourite in all three of the Grade One races.
First up is the Bar One Racing Royal Bond Novices Hurdle (12.40) in which Mullins could run Renneti, Faugheen,Indevan or Vicky De L’Oasis.
Half an hour later Walsh rides Felix Yonger, who will be hard to beat in the Drinmore Novices’ Chase (1.10).
And in the day’s feature race – the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle – he will be hoping the Mullins’ runner he rides can get the better of Jezki.
Looking ahead to Boxing Day and Susannah Ricci’s impressive Navan winner Ballycasey could run in the Grade Two Greenmount Park Novice Chase at Limerick.
“He jumped super at the weekend,” said Walsh.
“He’s a lovely, big horse and that was the first time we ran him over two miles.
“It was a really good race – there was no place to hide – but Ballycasey jumped super and won impressively.
“Two (miles) three (furlongs) at Limerick over Christmas would suit him but it is up to Willie.”
Horse Racing: Power packed | Racing | Sport | Daily Star. Simply The Best 7 Days A Week
The charges were confirmed by the BHA on Monday, after Arnold had earlier been subject to what he described as “a barrage of abuse” on Twitter.
Arnold, 44, admits the offences, but is adamant in each instance he laid the horses for small amounts in order to back them for substantial sums at the best price available with bookmakers.
Professional punter Harry Findlay mounted a similar defence in 2010 after being charged with laying his own horses and was fined £4,500 after his six-month warning-off was quashed by the BHA appeal board.
The ten all-weather races at the centre of the disciplinary inquiry scheduled to be heard on December 5 cover the period between June 18, 2012 and March 15 this year, and involve nine of Arnold’s horses. They include Brown Pete, who was laid to £50 by Arnold when beaten in a race at Lingfield last November.
The charges stem from a BHA investigation into the Brown Pete affair at Wolverhampton last December, when Arnold and his associates won around £130,000 after another three of his horses were withdrawn from a race won by Brown Pete amid claims of transport problems.
Arnold said: “I rang up [BHA investigating officer] Tim Miller and told him I didn’t feel like going to Wolverhampton with Brown Pete when he was the key to the start of all this business. He spoke to Lyn Williams [BHA disciplinary manager], who gave us permission for the horse to be withdrawn because of all the press scrutiny at the moment.
“Had Brown Pete won there would have been even more adverse publicity, and I couldn’t face it after the barrage of abuse I’ve had all day.”
Arnold, who has 21 horses under the Rakebackmypoker-com banner with Violet Jordan, and runs On The Cusp at Southwell on Tuesday, added: “I’m pleased I spoke to the Post to explain my side because all the BHA statement says is I’ve been charged with laying.”
Arnold pulls runner out in wake of probe | Horse Racing News | Racing Post