Monday, January 21, 2008

Horse Racing News

Binocular is Cheltenham-bound after leaping his way into the Triumph Hurdle picture with a dominant display as the 6-4 joint-favourite in the Spargonet Consulting Juvenile Novices' Hurdle at Ascot.

Race horse owner JP McManus is already responsible for ante-post favourite Franchoek and he now has another leading contender as Coral offer the four-year-old at just 10-1 after he collected by six lengths.

Trainer Nicky Henderson said: "I suppose the Triumph will be where he goes, although I haven't spoken to JP as he is on the other side of the world at the moment."

Henderson then doubled up by sending out the winner of the Rosling King EBF "National Hunt" Novices' Qualifier in the shape of 9-1 chance Earth Crystal.

Donald McCain's Regal Heights (5-1) put his stamp on the 1942 Was A Vintage Year Handicap Chase with a storming 15-length call in the hands of Graham Lee.

Cheltenham Horse Racing News:

Last year's winner Exotic Dancer heads 13 entries for the Letheby And Christopher Chase at Cheltenham on Saturday.

The eight-year-old, trained by Jonjo O'Neill, was third to his old adversary Kauto Star in the King George VI Chase but now has the chance to register his first win of the campaign.

Our Vic, one place ahead of Exotic Dancer in Kempton's Christmas cracker, has been entered by David Pipe along with stablemates Celestial Gold and Madison Du Berlais.

Trainer John Spearing looks like rerouting Simon after the Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock was lost to the wet weather on Saturday.

The nine-year-old's jockey Andrew Thornton believes Simon could still be on the upgrade.

Jeremy Noseda's presence on a wet Monday afternoon at Kempton was completely unexpected and it was just as surprising when his only runner Laddies Poker Two went for a walk in the market.

The grey three-year-old, making her race course debut in the digibet Median Auction Maiden Stakes, opened at 6-4 favourite but drifted right out to 11-4 as the money came for Ocean Legend.

But after struggling in the early stages, Laddies Poker Two got herself back into contention in the home straight and cruised six lengths clear under Tom Queally.

The 11-8 jolly Ocean Legend was only second.

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