Racing (Horse) : General Horse Racing Thread

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Nicholls out to enhance record.

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

Paul Nicholls bids to enhance an already outstanding record in the Betfair Chase at Haydock on Saturday.

The Ditcheat handler has won the race five times, thanks largely to the exploits of his legendary four-times winner Kauto Star.

Silviniaco Conti took over where his former stable companion left off with a brilliant front-running effort a year ago and is back to defend his title.

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Bobs shoots for Betfair glory.

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

Nicky Henderson believes his Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Bobs Worth will have to "raise the bar again" if he is to make a winning return to action in what promises to be a thrilling renewal of the Betfair Chase at Haydock on Saturday.

The eight-year-old made just two appearances last season, winning the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury before claiming a glorious victory in the blue riband at Prestbury Park in March.

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Sacre shines at Seven Barrows.

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...3&sub=&day=Fri

Sprinter Sacre thrilled Nicky Henderson in a schooling session ahead of his return in the BetVictor Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown Park on December 7.

The seven-year-old is unbeaten in 10 starts over fences and produced a breathtaking performance in last year's Tingle Creek and in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

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Gevrey seeking redemption.

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

Gevrey Chambertin gets the chance to redeem his reputation in the Betfair Cash Out 'Fixed Brush' Handicap Hurdle at Haydock, a race his trainer David Pipe has won twice in the last three years.

The Nicholashayne handler struck with Grands Crus in 2010 and Dynaste a year later and feels this race could see Gevrey Chambertin get his career back on track.

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Lantern dazzles in HK prep.


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

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Tizzard plays ace Card.

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

Cue Card dispelled stamina doubts as he led from pillar-to-post to win a top-class renewal of the Betfair Chase at Haydock.

Colin Tizzard's Ryanair Chase hero had only run over three miles once before, in last season's King George, where he made early mistakes in heavy ground.

Allowed an easy lead over three miles and a furlong on this occasion, Joe Tizzard was able to dictate his own pace, and though last year's winner Silviniaco Conti looked a big danger three from home, as did Dynaste, the jockey had still not asked for everything and after jumping the last Cue Card (9-1) sprinted clear to win by four and a half lengths.

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Rolling star of the show.

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...3&sub=&day=Sat

Rolling Star emerged as another possible Champion Hurdle contender for the Nicky Henderson team when bouncing back from two defeats at the end of last season with victory in the Read Nicholls And McCain Exclusively On Betfair Hurdle at Haydock.

Beaten favourite for the Triumph Hurdle when only sixth to Our Conor, Rolling Star also failed at Aintree, but clearly enjoyed a good summer in the field judged on his two-and-three-quarter-length beating of Doyly Carte under Barry Geraghty. Favourite Far West was well-beaten in fourth.

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Annie shows off her power.

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

Annie Power's ultimate target remains undecided but her reputation was enhanced after a gritty five-length defeat of Zarkandar in the Coral Hurdle at Ascot.

Willie Mullins' sturdy chestnut mare had been untouchable in seven starts at home, and after a long first journey across the Irish Sea, she was facing her most serious examination despite receiving 11lb from last year's Aintree Hurdle winner.

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Gevrey keeps it in the family.

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

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Apache demolishes opposition.

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

Noel Meade's Apache Stronghold took apart a field of previous winners in the Grade Two 'Monksfield' Novice Hurdle at Navan.

The 9-2 chance, who is held in high regard by his trainer, was third to The Liquidator in the Champion Bumper at Punchestown in April and was narrowly off the mark over hurdles back at that same course last month

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Ditcheat duo in King George frame.

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

Paul Nicholls could have at least two cracks at the William Hill King George VI Chase, with Silviniaco Conti and Al Ferof under consideration for Kempton on Boxing Day.

Both horses were in action on Saturday, with Silviniaco Conti failing to retain the Betfair Chase but still running an honourable third behind Colin Tizzard's irrepressible Cue Card

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Somersby has Sacre in sights.

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

Haldon Gold Cup hero Somersby is likely to clash with the formidable Sprinter Sacre in the BetVictor Tingle Creek at Sandown early next month.

The nine-year-old secured his first victory since switching from Henrietta Knight to Mick Channon in Exeter's flagship contest a few weeks ago when he defeated Module by a head, with Saturday's brilliant Betfair Chase winner Cue Card back in third.

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Buck's pleasing ahead of return.

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

Owner Andy Stewart has been told Big Buck's could be better than ever ahead of his return from injury later this season.

Paul Nicholls' four-times World Hurdle winner bolted up in the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury almost a year ago, but missed the rest of the campaign.

The 10-year-old is likely to make his eagerly-awaited comeback in the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham in January before aiming to win back his World Hurdle crown at the Festival in March.

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Hennessy hope Invictus raring to go.

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

Alan King is putting the finishing touches on Invictus' preparation for Saturday's Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury.

The seven-year-old has been all the rage for the coveted Grade Three handicap, even though he has not run since beating Gold Cup hero Bobs Worth at Ascot in February 2012.

King said: "He schooled (on Monday morning) over nine fences and he went well. He'll do a bit of work on the grass on Wednesday and that will be it."

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Sacre set to end season at Sandown

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

Sprinter Sacre is likely to have one alteration to a largely identical programme with trainer Nicky Henderson warning the jumping sensation could skip an end-of-season trip to Punchestown in favour of the Celebration Chase at Sandown.

Now 10 from 10 over fences, the big dark gelding launched his 2012 campaign in the Tingle Creek at Sandown before winning the Victor Chandler, Queen Mother, Melling Chase and Punchestown Champion Chase.