Racing (Horse) : General Horse Racing Thread

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Super Sizing proves champion again.

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...e&sub=&day=Tue

Sizing Europe rolled back the years as the veteran won the Boylesports.com Champion Chase for a second time at Punchestown.

The 12-year-old was always travelling well and looked to have lost none of his enthusiasm or talent as he repeated his 2012 success in this race, registering an eighth win at the highest level for his trainer Henry de Bromhead.

Faugheen demolishes his rivals.

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...e&sub=&day=Wed

Faugheen took the drop back in distance in his stride as he made all the running and demolished the opposition in the Herald Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown.

Tackling two miles for the first time over timber, the unbeaten Willie Mullins-trained six-year-old jumped much better than he did when winning the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham.

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Sacre set for Tingle return.

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...e&sub=&day=Wed

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Brave Bob is all Gold.

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...=&sub=&day=Wed

Boston Bob stormed home in the hands of Ruby Walsh to claim victory in the Bibby Financial Services Ireland Punchestown Gold Cup.

An impressive winner of the Melling Chase at Aintree three and a half weeks ago, the Willie Mullins-trained nine-year-old was the 5-2 favourite to claim another Grade One prize as he stepped back up in trip.

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Beat That shows guts for Geraghty.

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...=&sub=&day=Wed

Nicky Henderson's British raider Beat That fended off the challenge of Don Poli in a pulsating climax to the Irish Daily Mirror Novice Hurdle at Punchestown.

Beat That was all the rage for the three-mile Grade One as the 11-8 favourite following an impressive victory at Aintree. Barry Geraghty cut a confident figure in the saddle rounding the home turn, with Ruby Walsh far more animated aboard the Willie Mullins-trained Don Poli.

However, the latter dug deep for pressure and there was almost nothing to chose between the pair jumping the final flight. The duo settled down for a thrilling tussle and it was Beat That who won the argument by three-quarters of a length.

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Tac De Boistron destroys his rivals.

http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/r...-a-winning-tac

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Jetson springs a surprise in the Ladbrokes World Series Hurdle.

http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/r...nquers-quevega

Willie Mullins' star mare had won the last four renewals of this Grade One contest and hadn't been beaten since 2009 but had to settle for second behind the Jessica Harrington-trained outsider.

Although a consistent handicapper over staying trips, Jetson appeared to have his work cut out stepped up to Grade One level and was a 20-1 shot.

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Red-hot Geraghty out on his Own.

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...e&sub=&day=Fri

God's Own came with a withering late run in the hands of Barry Geraghty to spring a huge surprise in the Ryanair Novice Chase at Punchestown.

Titania ruled out of Newmarket.

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...e&sub=&day=Fri

My Titania is likely to be aimed towards the Etihad Airways Irish 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh later this month after trainer John Oxx was forced to rule out an intended trip to Newmarket this weekend.

The three-year-old has plenty to live up to as a daughter of Sea The Stars, whose victory for Oxx in the 2000 Guineas four years ago kicked off an incredible three-year-old campaign in which he won six Group Ones in as many months, including the Investec Derby and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

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Gosden taking measured approach.

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...e&sub=&day=Fri

John Gosden is keen to keep a lid on the huge expectation surrounding Kingman as the exciting colt prepares to put his unbeaten record and huge reputation on the line in the Qipco 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on Saturday.

The son of Invincible Spirit created a massive impression when winning a Newmarket maiden and Sandown's Solario Stakes last summer, but missed the backend of the campaign after having to have a chip in a joint surgically removed.

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Jezki proves the real deal.

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...e&sub=&day=Fri

Jezki stamped his authority on the Racing Post Champion Hurdle at Punchestown to confirm his Cheltenham superiority over Hurricane Fly.

With only three runners going to post it was inevitably a tactical battle, with Tony McCoy setting a sedate pace on Jezki, tracked by Hurricane Fly, with the eventual winner's stable companion Steps To Freedom in third place

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Vautour gets the job done.

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...=&sub=&day=Sat

Vautour replicated stablemate Faugheen by following up a Cheltenham Festival win at the Punchestown meeting in the Tattersalls Ireland Champion Novice Hurdle.

However, it lacked the fireworks of Faugheen's display earlier in the week as the talented five-year-old, winner of the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Prestbury Park, stepped up to two and a half miles for the first time and led all the way.

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'No pressure' on Toormore team.

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...e+team&day=Sat

Middleham Park racing manager Tim Palin insists the team are not feeling any pressure ahead of Toormore's bid for Classic glory in the Qipco 2000 Guineas this afternoon.

The Richard Hannon-trained Arakan colt was champion two-year-old after winning each of his three starts last year, completing his hat-trick with a brilliant display in the National Stakes at the Curragh in September.

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Thunder springs Guineas shock.

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...=&sub=&day=Sun

Silence fell upon Newmarket as 40-1 chance Night Of Thunder stormed to victory in the Qipco 2000 Guineas in between the two horses most people believed would be winning the season's first Classic.

Two separate races took place across the wide expanse of the Rowley Mile, with 6-4 favourite Kingman ending with clear superiority on the far rail, while Aidan O'Brien's Australia, next best in the betting at 5-2, finished purposefully close to the stands.

Night Of Thunder actually began challenging next to Kingman and ended up on Australia's shoulder as he swerved dramatically across the track, but he was still able to hand Richard Hannon an unexpected Classic at his first attempt, under renowned jockey Kieren Fallon.

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Sole switches on the power.

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...e&sub=&day=Sun

Sole Power recorded back-to-back-victories in the Pearl Bloodstock Palace House Stakes at Newmarket with another classy display.

Ryan Moore brought Eddie Lynam's dual Group One winner to lead inside the final furlong after Justineo and Stepper Point had made the running in this Group Three five-furlong dash.

Despite having to be switched right for a clear run at a vital stage, the 9-4 favourite found a terrific turn of foot and got home by half a length from Kingsgate Native, who was also second 12 months ago. Hot Streak was another head away in third.

Chrome shines in Kentucky.

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...e&sub=&day=Sun

Trainer Art Sherman secured his place in the record books as he sent out California Chrome to land the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Saturday night.

Sherman became the oldest winning trainer in the history of the race at the age of 77, surpassing 76-year-old Charlie Whittingham, who saddled Sunday Silence to win back in 1989.

California Chrome was sent off favourite for the 10-furlong Classic after notching up four wins on the bounce, including the Santa Anita Derby on his latest outing, and partnered by Victor Espinoza, he settled off a steady early pace before swooping through to lead with two furlongs to run.

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Vive la France in Guineas.

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...=&sub=&day=Sun

Miss France bounced back to her best to provide master trainer Andre Fabre with his first Qipco 1000 Guineas success in a thrilling finish at Newmarket.

A disappointing sixth on her return to action in the Prix Imprudence at Maisons-Laffitte, Miss France was even removed from the betting for the Classic by some bookmakers, but confidence returned in recent days.

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Taghrooda states case for Oaks.

http://www.attheraces.info/article.a...=&sub=&day=Mon

Taghrooda advertised her Investec Oaks credentials with a startling display in the Tweenhills Pretty Polly Stakes at Newmarket.

A surprise winner over seven furlongs on her debut, John Gosden's stoutly bred filly was sent off the even-money favourite under Paul Hanagan and her backers would never have had the remotest cause for concern.

Sound Reflection set the pace, but Hanagan was off in pursuit two furlongs out and as the daughter of Sea The Stars moved through the gears, her stride extended and she began to pull away. She eventually ran out a hugely impressive six-length winner, assuming Oaks favouritism in the process