Racing News
Monkerhostin Takes Last Day Honours
Monkerhostin rolled back the years to take the last big jump race of the season. Indeed the bet365 Gold Cup turned out to be a veterans benefit with another old favourite, Royal Auclair taking second and yet another old favourite Hoo La Baloo just ediging last weeks shock Scottish National winner Iris De Balme for third place.
Is the recession effecting racing?
Since the start of the year attendances at race meetings have been showing a marked reduction but Racecourse Association chief exec Stephen Atkin has denied that it is the first sign of the recession hitting racing.
He did however stress that racecourses are aware they are in a constant battle in the leisure market and will not becoming complacent in the face of a possible economic downturn.
RCA figures show that although there was an extra 50 meetings than the same period in 2007 the average daily attendances were down nearly 20%
Atkin was quick to point out though that 50,000 racegoers were lost due to Cheltenham's 2nd day being lost and the fact there is more poorly attended night racing cards.
He said "That 20% is completely distorted by these new all-weather evening fixtures
which are predominantly targeted at the betting shops - they bring down the
average sharply so the periods are not comparable."
Sergeant Cecil set for Saturday
SERGEANT CECIL is set to return to action at Newbury on Saturday, where he will tackle the John Porter Stakes - but a reunion with rider Alan Munro will have to wait until the Yorkshire Cup in May.
The top stayer will be making his third appearance in the Newbury race, having finished fourth in the last two years, but will be ridden by Darryll Holland as Munro is banned.
Trainer Rod Millman said on Monday: “Alan has a day off so Darryll will ride. Sergeant Cecil usually goes for this race, which is a prep for the Yorkshire Cup.”
Comply or Die wins the National
Timmy Murphy, who is still on cloud nine after winning the John Smith's Grand National aboard Comply Or Die, says the famous triumph gave him an "unbelievable feeling".
Murphy, winning in the colours of his boss David Johnson for second-season trainer David Pipe, can now take his name off the list of great jockeys who have never won the National. The Irishman was coolness personified on the nine-year-old and admitted that like many riders, it was the one race he wanted to win.
"It was an unbelievable feeling, just to complete the National you have done well, never mind finish in front of 39 other horses," Murphy told At The Races.
"David Johnson has had a lot of bad luck in the race previously, as well as a couple of placed horses, but you need a lot of luck round there. There were a lot of horses going well, but that tends to happen more than it did in the past, it's good for racing to see plenty of runners with chances.
"I had a pretty good run, there were a couple of loose horses there from time to time but apart from that I had a clear run all the way. Anyone who starts off as a jockey will tell you that the Grand National is the race they want to win."
For Johnson, it was also the realisation of a long-held ambition as an owner, but he admitted that losing a couple of horses in the race had tempered his enthusiasm somewhat.
"I'm a very lucky owner to have achieved most people's life ambition, the Grand National is the race everybody wants to win but only a few can ever do it and I'm very lucky to have done it," he said.
"He had a leg and was off for nearly two years, we were very patient and let nature take its course. There is no quick fix, you have to take your time and David Pipe and the Pond House team have done that.
"He's run very well this year for us, he has come second and won two big races and I'm still elated. I've had some sad times but that is National Hunt racing, sometimes you make a spur of the moment decision which on reflection you shouldn't have made but more horses get injured at home than they ever do on the racecourse.
"I'm obviously sorry for the connections of the one horse who didn't get home (McKelvey), but by and large Aintree put on a great display and the fences are much kinder to the horses."
Walsh to ride Hedgehunter
Willie Mullins is delighted that Ruby Walsh has stayed loyal to Hedgehunter in the John Smith's Grand National, despite Paul Nicholls' attempts to lure him on board Turko.
The jockey rode the 12-year-old to a famous victory at Aintree when he beat Royal Auclair by 14 lengths in the 2005 renewal.
"I thought he might ride the other horse but he's elected to ride Hedgehunter. I'm happy as he knows him very well and hopefully it will be a good result," Mullins told At The Races.
"I think he is coming back to himself and he appears in good form, he worked and Ruby came to ride him. He just did a small canter, he jumped 12 fences and jumped well so he seems in good form and all our preparations are just about finished for Aintree.
"He loves the track and if it keeps drying that will be in his favour, if it rains that will probably favour horses with lighter weights."
Mullins also has another string to his bow in the shape of Snowy Morning, who was favourite for the race before disappointing last time out. The trainer went on: "I probably ran him too soon after the Hennessy. I wanted to go to the Bobbyjo to get some more experience into him over fences but it probably came too soon.
"I think he will enjoy the fences, except for the Hennessy at Newbury (where he fell) we have never been worried about his jumping - I think think he jumps like a cat. In Ireland he has jumped well and he fits the profile of an Aintree horse. I wouldn't be worried about stamina and he'll have a lot more pace than a few of them.
"Hedgehunter loves Aintree and hopefully he doesn't get brought down. If he doesn't, I think he is really coming to himself and he should be there or thereabouts turning for home, and after that who knows what will happen.
"It's a big ask for Snowy Morning because he is really a second-season novice with very little preparation for Aintree because we decided to mind his handicap mark for this race. We've got the weight concession but we probably lack a little in experience."
With Walsh confirmed for Hedgehunter, Nicholls snapped up the services of Richard Johnson for Turko. The jockey said: "I'm delighted to get the ride. Ruby had so many options and it gives a few of us the chance to pick up a nice spare. Obviously I'm really looking forward to it."
Four Aces to test Kauto
ACES FOUR matched strides with Denman last year and could now be set for a crack at the Cheltenham Gold Cup winner's illustrious stable-companion Kauto Star at Aintree next week.
Ferdy Murphy's smart chaser gave Denman more of a race than he is used to until making a mistake three out in last season's Royal & Sun Alliance Chase, and went on to bolt up by eight lengths in a Grade 2 novice chase at Grand National meeting.
He has failed to sparkle this term and been restricted to just two outings but is reported in good heart now and poised to return to Aintree for a possible clash with this year's Gold Cup runner-up Kauto Star in Thursday's Grade 2 Totesport Bowl.
His trainer said on Friday: “He worked this morning and he worked exceptionally well so we are going to have a look at the entries and see what happens.
“I think anybody would be afraid of taking on Kauto Star but it might actually work to our advantage as it could end up with a small field. He does seem very well in himself so we are going to give it our best shot - we were quite pleased with him over hurdles at Market Rasen the other day.”
There were a total of 11 entries for the3m1f Totesport Bowl on Friday, including Ryanair Chase winner Our Vic and Mister McGoldrick, who took the Racing Post Plate at Cheltenham at odds of 66-1.
Top weight for Beef or Salmon
Beef Or Salmon will attempt to become the first horse since Flashing Steel in 1995 to carry top-weight to victory in the Powers Whisky Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on Monday.
Michael Hourigan's stable stalwart stood his ground at the forfeit stage along with 44 other horses, headed by the ante-post co-favourites Royal County Star, trained by Tony Martin, Cailin Alainn and Pomme Tiepy.
As usual, Willie Mullins holds a strong hand and along with his five-year-old mare Pomme Tiepy, a faller at Cheltenham last week, Alexander Taipan, Arbor Supreme, Ballytrim, Gilligans Hall, Homer Wells, Irish Invader and Livingstonebramble could all go to post.
There are five British entries with Arnold Layne, Azulejo, Flintoff, Juveigneur and The Outlier all possibles. But it is Martin's Royal County Star who has been all the rage with Paddy Power and is now down to 5-1 from an opening price of 8s.
The County Meath trainer said: "Royal County Star ran over hurdles three weeks ago and ran quite well. Hopefully everything will be OK for Monday. He was unlucky in the Kerry National and was third or fourth at the time and looked to have a great chance when he unseated Robbie (Colgan).
"But he gained good compensation in the Troytown when Robbie was very good and it all worked out."
Martin could also run Newbay Prop, winner of the valuable Paddy Power Chase in December but pulled-up at Cheltenham last week.
Martin explained: "I thought he would run well at Cheltenham, but he ran into himself and pulled a shoe off. It was only half-way and he only went a mile so I intend running him at Fairyhouse."
The trainer knows exactly what is required to take an Irish National, having saddled Davids Lad to take the 2001 renewal, but is under no illusions about the enormity of his charges' task.
He added: "The Irish National is the most competitive chase in Ireland for the year and I've got two horses realistically with chances - they've been running well and done well."
Nicholls stars not likely to meet again untill next year's gold cup.
PAUL NICHOLLS held out little hope on Saturday that a Denman–Kauto Star rematch would take place before next year's Gold Cup.
“It would be nice to have a rematch,” he said, “but it's highly unlikely to come before Cheltenham next year.
“The races that suit Kauto, like the King George, don't suit Denman, and the races for Denman, like the Hennessy and Lexus, aren't right for Kauto, so there aren't many opportunities for them to clash.
“Denmanbeat Kauto by seven lengths yesterday, but that could be turned round on another day and on different ground. Kauto may not have run up to his best, but he can't talk and tell us.
“The only big horse Kauto had never met came and beat him, and Denman might be better than him, so we'll see if that form holds up.”
Referring to the £1 million bonus that Betfair offer for any horse winning the Betfair Chase, King George and Gold Cup, Nicholls added: “We might have a look atthe Betfair bonus for Denman;he's won the last leg, whereas Kauto won the first two, so I think Betfair should give us half the money!
“I'm not saying it's a serious option for Denman, as I still think the new Haydock chase track would be too sharp for him.
“But we want to winlots of big races with these good horses, so all possibilities will be considered. I'd rate the Hennessy as still the most likely option at this stage. It'll be him on top weight, the others miles out of the handicap.”
Nicholls said Denman had come out of the race “in surprisingly good shape”, but added: “It's likely to hit him in the next couple of days, though that won't make any difference because he's not running again this season.”
Katchit takes the spoils
Katchit put up an immensely gutsy display to land a famous victory in the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle, the feature race on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival.
Alan King's little battler, who took the Triumph Hurdle 12 months ago, became the first five-year-old since See You Then in 1985 to win the big race.
Osana tried to make all and stayed on again when Katchit (10-1) took over under Robert Thornton, but just had to give best by a length, while Punjabi ran on to pip last year's winner Sublimity for third.
Hot favourite Sizing Europe moved menacingly for most of the contest but faded dramatically when push came to shove, while Harchibald never landed a blow in the softened ground.
Delighted trainer King said: "It's unbelievable! I've been so relaxed all day as I honestly didn't think he could win. I said to the owners if he was in the first four I would be very proud of him. It was a beautiful ride again and I'm so proud of the team.
"He was bought as a fun horse and when he won at Market Rasen first time I thought we had hit the nail on the head. He has totally amazed me.
"I think that will be it (for this season) as I said we weren't going to over-race him this year. Aintree is two and a half miles as well, but there is possibly Punchestown, although I am happy to say 'job done'."
Thornton added: "I don't know what to say really - it's unbelievable. He's a little terrier. He was flat out all the way, to be honest. I didn't want to let Sizing Europe get away.
"He's just so tough. I believed he could win, but whether he actually would was another thing. I'm delighted." However, having picked up a three-day suspension for his use of the whip on Captain Cee Bee, Thornton was handed a similar ban for his Champion ride.
McCoy enjoys Black Jack ride
After Mondays racing at Stratford, Tony McCoy enjoyed a gallop on the Jonjo O'Neill trained Black Jack Ketchum.
Along with an unnamed stable mate riden by Noel Fehily, McCoy covered a circuit and a half, much to the delight of the 100 or so racegoers that stayed behind to watch.
It was the first time the 12-times champion jockey has been seen in racecourse action since sustaining a back injury in a crashing fall from Arnold Layne at Warwick on January 12.
The pair travelled upsides for most of the way but when the tempo quickened two furlongs out, it was Black Jack Ketchum who nudged ahead to win the gallop by a neck.
McCoy, who has been riding out regularly for O'Neill and Carl Llewellyn, faces an important date with the doctor on Thursday afternoon when he hopes he will be cleared to resume race riding ahead of the Cheltenham Festival.
O'Neill was pleased to see Black Jack Ketchum get his head in front in the spin and a crack at the Ladbrokes World Hurdle could be on the cards. The nine-year-old was last seen when pulled up at Cheltenham on New Year's Day but O'Neill revealed a subsequent examination had uncovered a problem.
He said: "We found his neck, his backside and his tail were not quite right and we've given him plenty of time waiting for better ground.
"Tony was happy with him and we'll have to see what the ground is like, leaving our decision about the World Hurdle until as late as possible. I didn't want to flog him into the ground if he wasn't right but if we get good quick ground next week, I think he'll run, otherwise we shall wait for Aintree."
Kauto could go to Aintree
PAUL NICHOLLS said on Friday there was a “good possibility” that Kauto Star's season will not end with his titanic clash with Denman in the Totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup on Friday week.
The champion chaser will be having his fifth run of the season when bidding for back-to-back Gold Cups, which is one race fewer than at this stage last year, when he had also taken in the Tingle Creek in addition to the Old Roan, Betfair, King George VI and Aon Chases.
That has raised the possibility of prolonging his campaign with a trip to Aintree.
Nicholls said: “I have raised the issue with
“I know he was beaten there over two and a half miles by Monet's Garden in the autumn, but he wasn't as fit as he is now. And, as we all know, he faced a very stiff task as the Old Roan Chase is a handicap.
Setback for Dancer
EXOTIC DANCER has suffered a minor setback, which has "raised some doubt about his participation" in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
However, connections of the eight-year-old, who chased home Kauto Star in last season's race, are still hoping he could make the line-up on March 14.
In a statement issued to PA Sport, Barry Simpson, racing manager to owner Sir Robert Ogden, said: "I have spoken with Jonjo O'Neill this morning followingreports in today's newspapers.
"Exotic Dancer has been treated by a chiropractor regularly since he damaged a ligament in his back in January and has been under constant veterinary supervision. On a routine visit yesterday, it was found the horse was sore in his lumbar region.
"Exotic Dancer spent some time in the swimming pool late Tuesday evening and Jonjo felt the horse was much more comfortable afterwards and he reiterates the horse is sound this morning.
"Exotic Dancer will continue in swimming exercise and will be closely monitored over the next 48 hours."
Simpson went on to express his disappointment after Exotic Dancer worked well at home over the weekend.
The statement continued: "The horse is at a crucial stage in his preparation for the Cheltenham Gold Cup and although this is a minor setback, the timing of this could not be worse.
"With now only 15 days to the Gold Cup, any work missed is critical and this now raises some doubt about his participation.
"This has come as a hammer blow as it was only last Saturday Jonjo reported to me the horse had worked exceptionally well that morning.
"I have discussed this with Sir Robert this morning, who is currently away in the Far East, and as you would imagine he was extremely disappointed to receive the news.
"However, he always takes a view that the welfare of his horses is paramount.
"We are currently discussing the situation with Sir Robert's veterinary advisors and every possible treatment will be explored to have the horse ready in time for his race."
Dislocation for Thornton
Its an uncertain spell on the sidelines for Andrew Thornton after he dislocated his right shoulder after having a terrible fall at Kempton on Saturday.
He suffered no other broken bones or injuries after falling from Soulard in the Racing Post Weekender Handicap Chase and is expecting to find out on Monday how long he'll be out of action for.
McCoy latest
Tony McCoy continues to make rapid progress from his back injuries and aims to be back racing in 12 days and has set the Monday or Tuesday before Cheltenham for his comeback target.
The 12-time champion, who is 7-1 with William Hill to be leading rider at Cheltenham for the third time, was speaking after undergoing his second day of kriotherapy treatment, which involves spending a few minutes in an ice chamber being blasted with liquid nitrogen at temperatures well below -100C in an attempt to speed up rehabilitation.
McCoy experienced the revolutionary treatment, used by Ryan Moore last year, for the first time on Monday.
However, such is his determination to get back in the saddle as soon as possible, he is already talking about spending longer being treated at a low of –135C.
McCoy said: “I have no doubt it is testing my pain threshold, but it's going well. I've been doing it for only two days but feel pretty good and it's obviously helping me.
“I'm doing a good hour or more in the gym on the bikes and on the cross-trainer every day. I have no problem touching my toes and I'm very mobile.
“Last week I saw the doctor who operated on me and he was very pleased with how well I was doing.”
Munro back to winning ways
Alan Munro made a winning return to British racing on General Blucher at Lingfield.
He had been out of action for nearly 18 months since having health problems but last month was given the green light to return to racing by the British Horseracing Authority.
Munro said: "I'm just pleased to be back - when he went past the line it was a great feeling.
"It's nice to do it in Pete's colours. Pete and I are good friends, we've supported each other and that will continue.
"Pete and I don't have a formal agreement, we just have a friendship. When he needs to put me on and take me off he does so.
"It works really well like that, there are never any problems and I'll be riding work for him tomorrow (Tuesday) morning."
Kauto scare over
Paul Nicholls was relieved to announce that the injury scare with Kauto Star was over.
After impressively winning the Grade 1 Ascot Chase on Saturday the Gold Cup winner was found to be lame behind.
On returning home Nicholls and head lad Clifford Baker took the shoe off the hind leg to relieve any pressure and poulticed the foot over night. It was at this point they were confident the problem was not serious.
Nicholls said this morning: "I've had a very sleepless night but fortunately this morning puss came out of the foot and when we trotted him up he was virtually sound.
"There will be no setback with his training for the Gold Cup."
"He would have had a couple of days off after running anyway and this should clear up within 48 hours, so it shouldn't make too much difference.
A number of bookmakers suspended their markets on the Gold Cup after rumours about the wellbeing of Kauto Star began to surface.
"We were fairly confident it was something simple like that but it's a huge relief," Nicholls added.
"I was almost afraid to go in this morning to find out what was wrong!
"I'm absolutely chuffed though, and it's all systems go for the Gold Cup now."
Investigation at Wolves
Wolverhampton officials are to hold an investigation after an incident last Friday night in which trainer's wife Coralie Chung's horse box was broken into in what was the designated parking area.
David Roberts, managing director at the midlands track, will be working with the local police to see if security arrangements need improving after the driver's window in Chung's vehicle was smashed and equipment contained inside stolen.
Roberts, who was not at Wolverhampton on Wednesday but has established details of the incident, said: "We are investigating what happened and have referred the matter to the police.
"We will be working with them to see what measures can be taken to prevent any recurrence."
Hughes ponders Hardy race.
Dessie Hughes has said he is in no rush to decide whether Hardy Eustace will bid for a third Champion Hurdle triumph or take the longer option in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle.
The popular 11 year old finished second behind Sizing Europe in the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown last month with Hughes believing its the main danger in stopping Hardy Eustace regaining his crown in the Smurfit Kappa-sponsored showpiece.
"He couldn't be better, he's in great form. He's come out of the AIG first class," said the Kildare trainer.
"I have thought about it (Champion) but I'll have to see what lines up. It's nice to have the two options.
"We'll see how Henry De Bromhead's horse is and if he arrives there.
"If he didn't, we'd go back to the Champion where we know what he's done before.
"If Sizing Europe did line-up, we'd more than likely switch and try our fella over the three miles."
Lee may miss Cheltenham
Graham Lee may miss the Cheltenham festival after suffering a double fracture of the jaw after taking a horrid fall at Huntingdon on Thursday.
After falling from Cash King four fences out in the Novice Handicap Chase, Lee was knocked out after receiving a bad kick.
Race fans feared much more severe injuries after seeing four ambulances and an air ambulance race to treat Lee who was seen being carried on a stretcher with a drip and ventilator attached.
Fallon joins with Stoute
Kieren Fallon has announced renewed links with former boss Sir Michael Stoute and will be doing riding work for the 9 time champion trainer at Newmarket.
Fallon, however, was quick to play down rumours that he was joining as an assistant trainer, as he awaits the appeal of an 18 month ban for failing a drugs test.
“For the first time in three and a half years I am feeling really happy and I feel really good,” Fallon said.
“I really like Newmarket and I loved being at Stoutey's – I had some of my best times there and really enjoyed working there.
“I don't know where they got the idea that I was going to be his assistant from, and I have had a few opportunities to train offered to me, but at the moment I feel I am not ready for them. I will be joining his yard, but more like a work-rider than anything else.
“I want to go where I was happiest, and that was with Sir Michael. All I want to do is get riding again. I just love it and there are some fantastic gallops in Newmarket. I will have the chance to ride some really good horses and help prepare them for their races.”
Walsh to ride Kauto
Ruby Walsh has been confirmed as the rider for Kauto Star in the Cheltenham Gold Cup with Sam Thomas being the pilot on stablemate and biggest rival Denman.
Trainer Paul Nicholls said “Everyone knows it would be very difficult for Ruby not to ride Kauto again in
this year's Gold Cup. Paul Barber and Harry Findlay, joint-owners of Denman, had
a chat on Monday, and agreed it would be better to make a decision now regarding
Denman, which would mean Sam could ride the horseat Newbury on Saturday as well
as at Cheltenham. So that's why we are making the announcement now.
“However, should anything happen to Kauto Star, God forbid, between now and Gold Cup day, Ruby, as my stable jockey, would switch to Denman.”
£1000 fine for Murphy
Trainer Ferdy Murphy was handed a £1000 fine by Doncaster stewards after one of his stable girls was found trying to bring a prohibited substance into the stable yard.
Stipendiary steward Robert Earnshaw said "Mr Murphy's stable girl was stopped trying to enter the stable yard with prohibitive substances in her bag,"
"Mr Murphy has been fined £1,000 under instruction C7."
Murtagh new No'1
Johnny Murtagh has been appointed as the new number 1 jockey for the Coolmore operation.
Murtagh has ridden a number of big race winners for trainer Aidan O'Brien, including the 37 year old winning the Epsom Derby in 2002 on High Chaparral.
His agent, Eddie Byrne said "Johnny is absolutely delighted with the appointment, and to be riding for John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith."
He added: "He'd like to thank Mick Halford and Ger Lyons, who have given him many winners in the last couple of seasons, and hopes to ride for them again when available.
"He's contracted to ride in Dubai until after the World Cup and then he will be coming back immediately. He is looking forward to his new appointment."
Speaking from Dubai, Murtagh said: "I am over the moon. It is a great opportunity and I am really looking forward to riding for the team. I am 37 now and my best years lie ahead of me."
Numbersixvalverde is out for the season
The 2006 winner of the Aintree Grand National, Numbersixvalverde, has been ruled out for the season
Trainer Martin Brassil had hoped to get the ten year old back in time for this years event but that has now been abandoned. He has not run since finishing 6th in last year marathon.
Brassil said, "He had a slight setback in October and he's taken a long time to get over it.
"It has taken longer than expected and we wanted to have two runs before Aintree. Time is just not on our side so I didn't enter him in the race at all.
"He's out for the season and we will now just concentrate on getting him back next year."
BHA issues call to Jockeys over whips
A renewed call was issued by the BHA for jockeys to use the whip responsibly after conditional rider Michael
O'Connell was found guilty on four separate counts, including marking his mount,
at Kelso on Sunday.
Although the youngster's referral to Shaftesbury Avenue was criticised as an over-reaction by trainer Geoff Harker, the incident added to the increasing pressure on the regulatory body over jockeys allegedly abusing horses.
Solzen aims for World Hurdle
A second victory in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle will be the aim for My Way De Solzen should he impress over timber again next month at Fontwell.
The Gelding has failed to really inpress over fences this year so trainer Alan King is looking to recover by winning the totesport.com National Spirit Hurdle at the Sussex track on February 24.
Alan King said "He worked very well at home on Saturday morning and goes for the National Spirit next.
"If he runs well there, I'll be pushing to come back to Cheltenham for the World Hurdle."
Fallon to appeal
Kieren Fallon had appealed against the 18 month ban handed to him by French Gallop after failing a drugs test.
The positive sample, which is rumoured to be cocaine, was taken after a race at Deauville in August 2007.
Henri Pouret, the head of rulebook and stewards' secretariat department at France Galop, confirmed: "The jockey Kieren Fallon has been suspended for a period of 18 months.
“However, he has already appealed and that is the reason why no statement has been issued by France Galop.
"Now our appeal commission at France Galop will meet and will examine the appeal.
"However, I cannot tell you right now when the appeal commission will meet.
"Usually a suspension will start nine days after the decision has been announced, but seeing that the person in question has appealed, those dates could change."
Pedrobob out for the season
Irish Independent Arkle Trophy contender Pedrobob has been ruled out for the rest of the season due to a leg injury. The injury isn't a serious one but trainer Tony Mullins has placed him on his easy list with the view of bringing the 10 year old back out next winter.
He said "He's had a slight injury on a front leg and he's out for the season. It was a result of whatever he did on Tuesday morning. He needs rest and we're quite confident he'll be in training for next winter.
"It's a very slight injury but it's pointless thinking that we can get him ready. We could get him back in training in March but that's no good as he'll only be ready for May. The timing of it now means he's out for the season."
Sony announce new sponsorship
Sony have announced that they will be the new sponsor for this years Queen Elizabeth II Stakes held at Ascot. The group 1 race will be held on September 27th and has also received a boost to the prize fund. Ascot's chief executive Charles Barnett said, "We're delighted that Sony will be continuing its excellent relationship with Ascot and particularly pleased, naturally, that they are extending their portfolio of interests here into sponsorship of our most prestigious mile race.
As a result, the 'Queen Elizabeth II Stakes ' will be increased in value by £50,000 to £250,000 in 2008."
Do The Trick put down
Sadly Do The Trick, the horse that started favourite in the Pierse Hurdle, had to be put down after he suffered a crashing fall last Sunday in the Leapordstown race.
Trainer Michael Halford said on Friday: "Do The Trick was taken to the veterinary hospital in University College Dublin immediately after his fall and, unfortunately, when the vets were able to operate on his injured hock yesterday, they found it was so badly damaged that they would be unable to save him.
"It is a terrible shame as he was a good horse. He did well for us on the Flat last year and was running a good race when he fell in the Pierse."