Racing (Horse) : General Horse Racing Thread

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Sizing team mull Christmas options

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

Henry De Bromhead is still keeping his options open as to what race to run Sizing Europe in over Christmas.

The County Waterford trainer is convinced his dual Queen Mother Champion Chase hero stays a lot further than two miles these days and is considering races at various distances.

The 10-year-old holds entries in the William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day, the Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase at Leopardstown on December 27 and the Lexus Chase there the following day.

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Stewart plays down Quevega clash

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

Owner Andy Stewart believes it is "highly unlikely" a dream clash between Big Buck's and star mare Quevega will happen.

The incredible Big Buck's barely came off the bridle when securing his 18th consecutive victory in the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury on Saturday and he is already odds-on to win the World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival for a remarkable fifth year on the bounce.

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Ruby ready to rock Cheltenham

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

Harry Fry has confirmed Rock On Ruby on course for the StanJames.com International Hurdle after missing the Fighting Fifth Hurdle due to the testing ground.

The Dorset trainer believes it was the right decision to bypass the Newcastle race with last season's Champion Hurdle hero and instead wait for Cheltenham on Saturday week.

"Cheltenham a week on Saturday is very much the plan," Fry told At The Races.

"It's a shame we couldn't run in the Fighting Fifth but we were more than happy with the decision we made and look forward to Cheltenham.

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DETTORI GETS 'SYMPATHETIC' HEARING

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

Frankie Dettori expects to learn on Wednesday what his punishment will be for failing a drugs test in France in September.

France Galop concluded their inquiry into Dettori's case on Tuesday morning, with the rider's legal team saying he had received "a sympathetic hearing".

The 41-year-old jockey could be handed a six-month ban after testing positive for a banned substance at Longchamp on September 16.

The French racing authority's medical commission held an initial inquiry last month before passing their findings on to the stewards for their consideration.

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BIG GUNS FACE SANDOWN SHOWDOWN

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

Big guns Sprinter Sacre and Sanctuaire feature among 10 entries for the Sportingbet Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown on Saturday after the Grade One contest was re-opened.

The two brilliant two-milers will put their 100% records over fences on the line at the Esher venue in an eagerly awaited showdown.

The Nicky Henderson-trained Sprinter Sacre was a superb winner of the Arkle Trophy at the Cheltenham Festival, while Sanctuaire has yet to put a foot wrong since Paul Nicholls switched him to the bigger obstacles.

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STAR AND SIR SET TO CLASH

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

A compelling clash between two of Ireland's most exciting jumpers is on the cards at Punchestown on Sunday with Flemenstar and Sir Des Champs among the entries for the John Durkan Memorial Chase.

The former has attracted a huge following, not just for his fine performances in the likes of the Irish Arkle and the Powers Gold Cup, but for his veteran trainer Peter Casey.

Flemenstar made a sparkling reappearance in the Fortria Chase at Navan last month, beating Big Zeb by seven lengths.

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ROYER-DUPRE SWEET ON GIO

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

Trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre has warned punters not to discount his Falmouth Stakes winner Giofra in Sunday's Longines Hong Kong Cup.

Well beaten by her compatriot and weekend opponent Cirrus Des Aigles in the Prix Ganay at the start of the season, the four-year-old went on to run in the Prix Jean Romanet after her Newmarket Group One success before rounding off the European season in the Prix de l'Opera.

Royer-Dupre believes those last two efforts can be ignored and said: "She might be slightly underrated in the Cup but I warn you, she is an exceptional filly."

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DETTORI SUSPENDED FOR SIX MONTHS

http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...2&sub=&day=Wed

Frankie Dettori has been suspended from riding for six months after being found guilty of taking a prohibited substance, his legal representative Christopher Stewart-Moore said on Wednesday morning.

The three-times British champion jockey, 41, tested positive for what is believed to be cocaine following a routine examination at Longchamp on September 16.

Dettori's suspension runs from November 20 to May 19 and is likely to be reciprocated by racing jurisdictions worldwide, including by the British Horseracing Authority.

Lets hope Frankie comes back stronger from this as we all make mistakes in life.

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DETTORI VOWS TO REBUILD REPUTATION

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

Jockey Frankie Dettori has vowed to "rebuild his reputation" once he has served his six-month suspension after being found guilty of taking a prohibited substance.

Dettori, who was cautioned by police for possession of cocaine in 1993, is believed to have tested positive for the same drug by Longchamp stewards after the meeting on September 16.

His legal representative Christopher Stewart-Moore said: "He is enormously grateful for the opportunities that he has been given by owners and trainers over the years, and for the support of his many fans."

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CARLTON UP FOR CUP

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

Connections of Carlton House believe the step back up to a mile and a quarter will suit The Queen's colt in the Hong Kong Cup.

The four-year-old has not quite been at his best over a mile on his last two starts, but his form over the longer distance puts him in with a fair chance of landing a Royal success.

Carlton House will be having his final start for Sir Michael Stoute before being transferred into the care of Australian trainer Gai Waterhouse.

John Warren, The Queen's racing and bloodstock advisor, said: "Her Majesty is looking forward to Carlton House running in Hong Kong on Sunday, a wonderful race meeting.

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SHERWOOD ROCKED BY HEREFORD FINE

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

Trainer Oliver Sherwood warned he feels like "packing it up" after after being fined £3,000 over the running and riding of Furrows in the bet365.com Novices' Chase at Hereford.

Jockey Leighton Aspell was hit with a 14-day ban (December 19-22, 26-31, January 1-4) while the horse was suspended from running for 40 days.

The local stewards felt Furrows (20-1) appeared to be tenderly handled when finishing fourth on his debut over fences behind Vulcanite, beaten a total of 11 and three-quarter lengths and found Sherwood guilty of schooling/conditioning the horse on the racecourse.

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CUE STRAIGHT TO KING GEORGE

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

Cue Card is to skip a possible outing in the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon later this month in favour of running in the William Hill King George VI Chase.

Colin Tizzard's six-year-old gelding graduated to open company when sauntering 26 lengths clear in the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter in November and will now bid for the Boxing Day feature at Kempton.

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JEZKI HEADING FOR CHRISTMAS CRACKER

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

Jessica Harrington could give Jezki his next outing in a potentially mouthwatering paddypower.com Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown on December 27.

The progressive four-year-old will have a campaign working towards the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham in the spring, and an appearance at the big Christmas meeting looks on the cards.

Love your avatar Den, any tips for today? I'll have to Google my local bookie though. Strange that you can't find someone willing to fleece you

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Originally Posted by jempalmer

Love your avatar Den, any tips for today? I'll have to Google my local bookie though. Strange that you can't find someone willing to fleece you

l will give you a few tips later once l know if the racing is on Jem.