Co-owner Harry Findlay insists all roads now lead to Aintree for a rejuvenated Denman.
The 2008 Gold Cup winner is reportably back on top of his game and will definitely run in the totesport Bowl next thursday.
Denman's troubles have been well documented this term but the Paul Nicholls-trained nine-year-old still produced a magnificent display to finish second behind Kauto Star in this year's Gold Cup.
'Denman is very much on an upward curve' said Findlay, 'Paul Barber, co owner, said just before the Gold Cup that he thought he was maybe only a couple of weeks short-his well-being and progression sincethe race have made us think even more.
The Gold Cup was a difficult race to watch in many ways but the reception and response he got from the crowd afterwards were just phenomenal.
'Knowing what the crowds are like at Antree it will be one of the great days of my life if he can come back and put in an authoritative performance.
Meanwhile, Mark Tompkins has warned he will only run last years winner Smokey Oakey in Saturdays Lincon if the ground is suitable for the top weight.
Thursday 26 March 2009
Wednesday 25 March 2009
Expresso Hot
John Gosden's Expresso Star continues to attract money at the head of the market for Saturday' William Hill Lincon.
Johnny G does not usually target the seasonal curtain-raiser but Expresso Star has been well-fancied in the build up and the sponsors have been forced to clip him half a point to 4-1 following another day of support.
Gosden has only had three previous runners in the Lincon with his Wainwright faring best of the trainer's challengers in finishing third in 1994.
Another to have come in for support is Luca Cumani's first ever runner in the race Swop and he is now 9-1 from 10s despite having to shoulder a 5lb penalty for a win in Dubai last month.
With the field limited to just 22 there are plenty more of the fancied runners who could strggle to make the cut
Stuart Williams paid 85,000 guineas at the October Horses in Training Sale for Slugger O'Toole but despite a rating of 94 he is not guaranteed a run.
The William Hill spring Mile is available as a consolation to some of those who miss the cut and Williams would be keen to tackle either contest.
George Baker has his eyes firmly fixed on the first race of the new Flat season on turf, the williamhill.com Play Poker Brockles Conditions Stakes with Chicita Banana.
Johnny G does not usually target the seasonal curtain-raiser but Expresso Star has been well-fancied in the build up and the sponsors have been forced to clip him half a point to 4-1 following another day of support.
Gosden has only had three previous runners in the Lincon with his Wainwright faring best of the trainer's challengers in finishing third in 1994.
Another to have come in for support is Luca Cumani's first ever runner in the race Swop and he is now 9-1 from 10s despite having to shoulder a 5lb penalty for a win in Dubai last month.
With the field limited to just 22 there are plenty more of the fancied runners who could strggle to make the cut
Stuart Williams paid 85,000 guineas at the October Horses in Training Sale for Slugger O'Toole but despite a rating of 94 he is not guaranteed a run.
The William Hill spring Mile is available as a consolation to some of those who miss the cut and Williams would be keen to tackle either contest.
George Baker has his eyes firmly fixed on the first race of the new Flat season on turf, the williamhill.com Play Poker Brockles Conditions Stakes with Chicita Banana.
Monday 23 March 2009
The End of Claverhouse
Well Friday was my last day at claverhouse there is no reports today as i had to go and see the brew today but i will start my reports again soon
Thursday 19 March 2009
Weld on Mettle
Scottish Grand National hero looking Hot
Ferdy Murphy believes Hot Weld is begining to show his old sparkle ahead of the John Smiths Grand National.
The 10 year old made history when winning the Scottish National and the Betfred Gold Cup on successive Saturdays in April 2007.
Injury kept him off the track untill last mounth but he has since been pulled up in both his starts.
He did though hint at a revival when working over a mile and a half in the hands of Brian Harding with stablemate Nine De Sivola ridden by Kieth Mercer at Antree yesterday
Ferdy claimed 'It has been hard work getting him back but he was very good on the track.
He took a good old tug for Brian That was a nice preparation Murphy remains pessimistic about Nine De Sivola making the cut after 88 horses remained in the Antree spectacular on April 4.
Murphy said 'When Graham Lee first rode him a couple of years ago he said he was the nearest thing he had sat on since Amberleigh House.
'Its ' a pity he might not get in If he dosen't get in there at Antree he will go for the Irish or Scottish Nationals.
The Weights have been raised 5lb with Snoopy Loopy now heading the handicap on 11st 10lb .
My Will is effectively 8lb well in following his fine Gold Cup effort.
Ferdy Murphy believes Hot Weld is begining to show his old sparkle ahead of the John Smiths Grand National.
The 10 year old made history when winning the Scottish National and the Betfred Gold Cup on successive Saturdays in April 2007.
Injury kept him off the track untill last mounth but he has since been pulled up in both his starts.
He did though hint at a revival when working over a mile and a half in the hands of Brian Harding with stablemate Nine De Sivola ridden by Kieth Mercer at Antree yesterday
Ferdy claimed 'It has been hard work getting him back but he was very good on the track.
He took a good old tug for Brian That was a nice preparation Murphy remains pessimistic about Nine De Sivola making the cut after 88 horses remained in the Antree spectacular on April 4.
Murphy said 'When Graham Lee first rode him a couple of years ago he said he was the nearest thing he had sat on since Amberleigh House.
'Its ' a pity he might not get in If he dosen't get in there at Antree he will go for the Irish or Scottish Nationals.
The Weights have been raised 5lb with Snoopy Loopy now heading the handicap on 11st 10lb .
My Will is effectively 8lb well in following his fine Gold Cup effort.
Monday 16 March 2009
Cool Comment
Ruby Walsh believes Cooline has to markedly improve to troubled Kauto Star in next years Cheltenham Gold Cup.
The Willie Mullins-trained gelding showed himself to be the best of the staying novice brigade with a 16-lenght victory in the RSA Chase at last weeks Cheltenham Festival.
Walsh said 'We thinkhe is a horse with a big future but on official ratings, he is on 161 and Kauto
Star is still on 184.
'You can only judge a horse on what he is beating and Cooldine couldn't have been more impressive.
When he beat Forpadydeplasterer in the Moriarty at Leopardstown they might have looked to have been going slow but people think it is.
Walsh had wins on two other Mullins horses Quevega in the Nicholson Mares Hurdle and Mikael D Haguenet in the Ballymore Novices Hurdle.
Ruby claimed Quevega is a good little mare Her form was rock-solid she was only a lenght behind Hurricane Fly in France.
I don't know what I'd ride in the Champion Hurdle if they both ran but I quite like that Mares' race for her so she doesn't have to run in the Champion.
Mikael D'Haguenet is a very good horse We were a bit worried about the ground because he'd been doing all his racing on soft ground but he handled it.
He's a horse with a really big future.
Victor Dartnall is dreaming of more National success in the future for Russian Trigger following his victory at Uttoxeter on Saturday.
This year's Scottish version at Ayr next month and the Grand National at Antree possibly in 2010 could be on the cards for the lightly-raced gelding.
The seven-year-old showed he was a stout stayer when beating Flintoff in the Midlands Grand National over almost four and a quarter miles in what was only his fourth race over fences.
The Willie Mullins-trained gelding showed himself to be the best of the staying novice brigade with a 16-lenght victory in the RSA Chase at last weeks Cheltenham Festival.
Walsh said 'We thinkhe is a horse with a big future but on official ratings, he is on 161 and Kauto
Star is still on 184.
'You can only judge a horse on what he is beating and Cooldine couldn't have been more impressive.
When he beat Forpadydeplasterer in the Moriarty at Leopardstown they might have looked to have been going slow but people think it is.
Walsh had wins on two other Mullins horses Quevega in the Nicholson Mares Hurdle and Mikael D Haguenet in the Ballymore Novices Hurdle.
Ruby claimed Quevega is a good little mare Her form was rock-solid she was only a lenght behind Hurricane Fly in France.
I don't know what I'd ride in the Champion Hurdle if they both ran but I quite like that Mares' race for her so she doesn't have to run in the Champion.
Mikael D'Haguenet is a very good horse We were a bit worried about the ground because he'd been doing all his racing on soft ground but he handled it.
He's a horse with a really big future.
Victor Dartnall is dreaming of more National success in the future for Russian Trigger following his victory at Uttoxeter on Saturday.
This year's Scottish version at Ayr next month and the Grand National at Antree possibly in 2010 could be on the cards for the lightly-raced gelding.
The seven-year-old showed he was a stout stayer when beating Flintoff in the Midlands Grand National over almost four and a quarter miles in what was only his fourth race over fences.
Thursday 12 March 2009
Gold Plan For Cool Customer
Cooldine took the RSA Chase in a style suggesting a worthy successor to Willie Mullins magnificent Florida Pearl may have been found.
In 1998 the latter carried Violet O'Leary's red and white silks to land this race before winning four Irish Hennessy Gold Cups and a bundle of other major prizes.
In 1998 the latter carried Violet O'Leary's red and white silks to land this race before winning four Irish Hennessy Gold Cups and a bundle of other major prizes.
Henderson can leave bookies punch drunk
Look to Nicky Henderson tearing up the entente cordiale as he bids to win third World Hurdle with Punchtown.
French raider Kasbah Bliss comes here as banker of the week in many punters books and he looks sure to make a bold bid to step up on his second to take him on at the price with Tidal Bay.
French raider Kasbah Bliss comes here as banker of the week in many punters books and he looks sure to make a bold bid to step up on his second to take him on at the price with Tidal Bay.
Wednesday 11 March 2009
The Head Master
Pour yourself a large one light up a Cuban, keep your gambling tokens in your pocket and sit back watch Britains No1 chaser Master Minded show his class.
Touted by the besttwo mile chaser of all time. I'll reserve judgement on that call for the moment but when the french-bred gelding hammered 2007 champion Voy Por Ustedes by 19 lengths in the Queen Mother last year he looked a sensational prospect.
Beaten by Alan Kings hero in a rematch over 2m4f at Aintree, connections decided to campaign Master Minded over two miles and who could blame them.
Touted by the besttwo mile chaser of all time. I'll reserve judgement on that call for the moment but when the french-bred gelding hammered 2007 champion Voy Por Ustedes by 19 lengths in the Queen Mother last year he looked a sensational prospect.
Beaten by Alan Kings hero in a rematch over 2m4f at Aintree, connections decided to campaign Master Minded over two miles and who could blame them.
Punjabi so Brave for Henderson
Punjabi put the seal on a fine first-season partnership for trainer Nicky Henderson and jockey Barry Geraghty with a thrilling victory in the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle.
The forgotten horse from the stable of hot favourite Bonocular edged out his stablemate to third beaten neck and a head with Paul Nicholls Celestial Halo separating the pair in a three-way photo.
The forgotten horse from the stable of hot favourite Bonocular edged out his stablemate to third beaten neck and a head with Paul Nicholls Celestial Halo separating the pair in a three-way photo.
Tuesday 10 March 2009
How Far Binocular
Look forward to an equine superstar being crowned at Cheltenham this afternoon when Binocular delivers another Champion Hurdle for Nicky Henderson.
The seven Barrows trainer knows a thing or two about Festival heros and can see plenty of similarities between Binocular and his three time Champion Hurdle winner SeeYou Then.
The five-year old has been in a different league all season andcomes into today's Champion head and shoulders above his rivals.
Henderson said yesterday Katchit won as a five year old but statistically, it is difficult for hores in thier second season in the Champion .
Ithink See You ThenWas the last to win the race before Katchit.
The seven Barrows trainer knows a thing or two about Festival heros and can see plenty of similarities between Binocular and his three time Champion Hurdle winner SeeYou Then.
The five-year old has been in a different league all season andcomes into today's Champion head and shoulders above his rivals.
Henderson said yesterday Katchit won as a five year old but statistically, it is difficult for hores in thier second season in the Champion .
Ithink See You ThenWas the last to win the race before Katchit.
Monday 9 March 2009
Bin a Drifter
Binocular could be part of the largest field the Champion Hurdle in 18 years with Nicky Henderson's hot favourite one of 24 horses declared for tomorrow's big picture.
Should all line up it will equal the number involved when Morley Street triumphed in 1991 but with about 10 millimetres of rain forecast by the start of the meeting, Nicky Henderson's charge is expected to drift in the market.
Henderson walked the course yesterday and appeared happy enough as did Alan King, trainer of Katchit.
The ground was eased offcially to good to soft all over at the end of the afternoon prompting Betfair to believe Binocular could be much bigger on the day.
Spokesman Tony Calvin said:"Likely soft ground and massive field will make it a gruelling stamina test
Should all line up it will equal the number involved when Morley Street triumphed in 1991 but with about 10 millimetres of rain forecast by the start of the meeting, Nicky Henderson's charge is expected to drift in the market.
Henderson walked the course yesterday and appeared happy enough as did Alan King, trainer of Katchit.
The ground was eased offcially to good to soft all over at the end of the afternoon prompting Betfair to believe Binocular could be much bigger on the day.
Spokesman Tony Calvin said:"Likely soft ground and massive field will make it a gruelling stamina test
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