Racing (Horse) : General Horse Racing Thread

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BOBS WORTH RULED OUT OF ARGENTO

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...=&sub=&day=Thu

Bobs Worth, ante-post favourite for the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup, will not run in the Argento Chase at Cheltenham this weekend.

The Nicky Henderson-trained eight-year-old was found to be not quite 100% following a routine check-up earlier in the week. He will now contest the Gold Cup on March 15 without a prep run.

Henderson told Press Association Sport: "Bobs Worth is not going to be able to run on Saturday, which is very disappointing for everybody, including the owners. We very much wanted to run, but the good thing is it doesn't affect March in any way."

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CRUS IN GRAND FORM FOR ARGENTO

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...e&sub=&day=Sat

David Pipe thinks Grands Crus should be sharper than when he ran in the King George VI Chase when he lines up in the Argento Chase at Cheltenham.

The grey was having his first start since a wind operation at Kempton, where he finished third behind Long Run and Captain Chris.

"We've been fine with the weather and he's done everything that we've needed him to do at home. He's all set to go, and we'll find out at the weekend whether he gets three miles and one (furlong) or not," said the Pond House handler.

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STAR STAKES TRIUMPH CLAIM

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...e&sub=&day=Sat

Rolling Star mastered Irish Saint close home to make a winning British debut in the JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial at Cheltenham.

Irish Saint and Ruby Walsh cut out much of the running in the Grade Two contest, but Barry Geraghty shadowed his every move aboard Rolling Star and it was clear heading down the hill the pair were a cut above their rivals.

Walsh's mount still held a narrow advantage approaching the final flight and jumped it the better, but Geraghty had not gone for everything and when he did Rolling Star picked up well to go on and score by two and a quarter lengths. Roc D'Apsis was some 30 lengths further back in third.

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SUPER SACRE IN VC STROLL

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...=&sub=&day=Sat

Sprinter Sacre took Grade One honours in the Victor Chandler Chase at Cheltenham with his now-customary panache.

Nicky Henderson's pride and joy was again electric at his fences, taking it up on the run to the sixth-last after Mad Moose had opened a sizeable early advantage on the field.

Barry Geraghty quickened matters noticeably going to three out and while Sanctuaire crept into it from the rear, his threat was only a fleeting one and Sprinter Sacre was majestic over the last two fences as he eased over the line with 14 lengths to spare from the rallying Mad Moose.

Geraghty said: "He's so natural, he's one of the most natural I've ridden. I was afraid of the ground and didn't think it would suit him as well. He was very relaxed today, he jumped brilliant and I never had a moment's concern. He was very good.

Wow another sparkling performance from this superstar.

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CAPE CRUSADER IS ARGENTO KING

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...=&sub=&day=Sat

Cape Tribulation put himself in the Gold Cup picture with a last-gasp success in the Argento Chase at Cheltenham.

In an attritional renewal, only the winner, Hunt Ball and Imperial Commander were in contention from quite some way out as gruelling conditions took a toll, with Cape Tribulation in the slipstream of the other two under a superb waiting ride from Denis O'Regan.

Hunt Ball gave way in the straight and just as Imperial Commander, the 2010 Gold Cup winner having his start for 680 days, looked like he had done enough, the Malcolm Jefferson-trained Cape Tribulation (7-1) dramatically got up on the line.

REVE HANGS ON IN CLEEVE THRILLER

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...=&sub=&day=Sun

Reve De Sivola was all out to hang on from Oscar Whisky in a pulsating finish to the Rewards4Racing Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham.

The eventual winner was always prominent under Richard Johnson, while in contrast Barry Geraghty sat waiting as long as he could to preserve the runner-up's unproven stamina.

The Nick Williams-trained Reve De Sivola edged clear of gallant leader Knockara Beau after two out, but Geraghty looked like he might have timed matters to absolute perfection at the last and it was only after a long battle up the run-in that Reve De Sivola (15-8 favourite) got the verdict by a neck.

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FISHERS SHOWS FIGHTING SPIRIT

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...e&sub=&day=Sun

At Fishers Cross took a giant step up in class in his stride to land the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham under a power-packed finish from Tony McCoy.

In what looked a strong renewal, Coneygree set out to make all and had At Fishers Cross (13-2) and The New One for company approaching the business end.

Coneygree was the first to crack as the others queued up, and it was The New One who led over the last. However, McCoy was in no mood to surrender on the Rebecca Curtis-trained winner, who responded to every call in taking the Grade Two event by a neck from the 4-5 favourite.

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HURRICANE BLOWS AWAY RIVALS

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...e&sub=&day=Sun

Willie Mullins hailed Hurricane Fly as back to his very best as recorded his third successive win in the BHP Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown in most impressive fashion.

The nine-year-old (1-6 favourite) never came off the bridle in registering his 14th Grade One success, setting himself up perfectly for his bid to regain the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Thousand Stars made it a decent gallop in atrocious weather, but when Ruby Walsh made his move rounding the home turn he soon skipped well clear, before easing over the line with a five-length advantage. His stablemate held Binocular, who travelled well for a long way, by a nose for second.

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GOLD CUP NEXT FOR IMPERIAL

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...=&sub=&day=Sun

Imperial Commander will head straight back to Cheltenham in a bid to reclaim the Betfred Gold Cup following his fine effort in the Argento Chase.

The 12-year-old went agonisingly close to making a triumphant return when he was caught in the dying strides by Cape Tribulation on Saturday, in his first race since he was pulled up in the Gold Cup some 680 days earlier.

Trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies told At The Races: "It was heartbreaking to see him mugged on the line, but yet again he showed all his doubters wrong. He can come back and hopefully is as good as ever."

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PONT CONFIRMS FIRST IMPRESSION

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...=&sub=&day=Mon

Pont Alexandre looks a future star for trainer Willie Mullins after he ran out a mightily impressive winner of the Synergy Security Solutions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown.

On a day when stablemate Hurricane Fly stole the show in the BHP Irish Champion Hurdle, Pont Alexandre confirmed his arrival on the scene with a stylish display as part of a four-timer for the trainer.

He had looked a bit special with a highly convincing successful first run for Mullins and owner Rich Ricci in a Grade One at Navan last month and the five-year-old reinforced that impression when making all the running in the pouring rain under Ruby Walsh.

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GERAGHTY EXPECTS BETTER OF OSCAR

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...e&sub=&day=Tue

Barry Geraghty believes Oscar Whisky was not at his best in the Cleeve Hurdle on Saturday, despite him proving his stamina over three miles.

Nicky Henderson's dual Aintree Hurdle winner has posed an ante-post conundrum for punters, with some believing he holds a lively chance in the Champion Hurdle and others thinking he is tailor-made for the World Hurdle.

Saturday's run was only the second time he has tackled the World Hurdle trip of three miles, after finishing fifth in the big race last season, and he went down only narrowly in heavy ground to Reve De Sivola. However, Geraghty did not feel comfortable at any stage, suggesting better can be expected in March.

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MEADE KEEN ON MONKSLAND CHANCE

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...=&sub=&day=Tue

Noel Meade would not swap Monksland for any other horse in what looks set to be a wide-open renewal of the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

With four-time winner Big Buck's sidelined by injury, the stage is set for a new staying star to step up to the plate in March, but at this stage it is difficult to know how many of the leading contenders will even run in the race, let alone which one will win it.

Reve De Sivola and Oscar Whisky dispute favouritism after finishing first and second respectively in Saturday's Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham and Monksland would appear third in line, with leading mare Quevega unlikely to line up and doubts over the participation of Tidal Bay.

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SIZING TOPS SEVEN FOR TIED TEST

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...=&sub=&day=Tue

Sizing Europe could face up to six rivals when he defends his crown in the Boylesports.com Tied Cottage Chase at Punchestown on Sunday.

Henry de Bromhead's brilliant 11-year-old has appeared as good as ever in winning his three starts this season and is set to take in this weekend's Grade Two test en route to the Cheltenham Festival in March.

His target has not yet been decided, with the Queen Mother Champion Chase, which he won in 2011, the Ryanair Chase and the Cheltenham Gold Cup all under consideration at this stage.

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SEVEN IN CHALLENGERS RECKONING

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...=&sub=&day=Tue

No extra entries were received for the reopened Betfred Mobile Lotto Challengers Novices' Chase at Sandown on Saturday.

Nicky Henderson's Captain Conan is the headline act in the race, which is better known as the Scilly Isles Novices' Chase, having already won at Grade One level.

In any other yard he would be a massive hope for the Arkle, but with Simonsig also hailing from Seven Barrows, Henderson is keen to see if the two-and-a-half-mile trip suits.

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GRAND NATIONAL ATTRACTS 84 ENTRIES

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...=&sub=&day=Wed

Last year's placed horses feature among 84 entries for the John Smith's Grand National at Aintree on April 6.

Winner Neptune Collonges has been retired, but runner-up Sunnyhillboy, who was denied by a nose, third Seabass and fourth home Cappa Bleu are all again possible for the £975,000 showpiece.

Former Gold Cup hero Imperial Commander has also been entered, although his participation is thought unlikely. A tweet from his owners Imperial Racing read: "Please RT Imperial Commander Grand National - He is entered but his main and probably only target is the Gold Cup!".

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FLEMENSTAR WELL AS HENNESSY LOOMS

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...e&sub=&day=Thu

Peter Casey believes Flemenstar is "better than he ever was" ahead of the Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown on Saturday week.

Having looked all over the winner rounding the home turn on his first attempt at three miles in the Lexus Chase last month, the seven-year-old began to tread water after the final fence and was caught close home by both Tidal Bay and First Lieutenant in a barnstorming finish.

Given he was beaten just three-quarters of a length, connections are keen to have a second attempt at the longer distance in the Hennessy.