Ferdy Murphy Mulling Over Boylesports Bid

Ferdy Murphy is keen to let Three Mirrors return to Cheltenham next month following his fine effort in defeat in the Paddy Power Gold Cup.

The eight-year-old was having his first outing of the campaign at Prestbury Park less than two weeks ago and he could return to the venue for the valuable Boylesports.com Gold Cup on December 13.

Also under consideration for the Grade Three contest are L’Antartique, who Murphy saddled to win the Paddy Power 12 months ago, and Aces Four, who is on the comeback trail following a stop-start campaign last season.

“Three Mirrors will have an entry in the Boylesports.com Gold Cup and we’ll probably enter L’Antartique and Aces Four as well,” said Murphy.

“Three Mirrors ran a really good race in the Paddy Power. I’m happy with the horse and if we got a bit of dry ground, we’d be very keen to go back to Cheltenham.

“L’Antartique is likely to run in the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle on Saturday, along with Aces Four, just to get a run into them both.

“We’d have a look at the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon (December 11) as a possibility for one of them, rather than the Boylesports, but both of them will definitely have entries in the Cheltenham race.

“Aces Four is very well, we’re looking forward to running him soon and he’s going to go for the King George at Kempton on Boxing Day.

“He’s coming back after a bit of a break so I’m looking to get a couple of runs into him before then.”

Richard Fahey’s First Century Of Flat Winners

Richard Fahey reached a first-time century of Flat winners in a season when Trumpstoo won the EBF/UTS Maiden Stakes at Newcastle.

Appropriately ridden by his stable jockey Paul Hanagan, the 9-2 shot made all the running to hold the sustained challenge of 2-1 favourite Custody by a neck.

Fahey, speaking from Newmarket Sales, said: “It is great to get to the 100 and it reflects great credit on everyone connected with the yard – staff and owners alike.

“We have had a great year. To win over £1million for the third successive season was the overall highlight but this century is the icing on the cake.

“I am particularly pleased that Trumpstoo won because he is a first winner for his owner, Suzanne Hart.”

Hanagan, who has ridden 55 of the Fahey winners, added: “I am delighted for Richard, it is a great achievement by him and everyone in the yard to have kept the horses running well all season.”

Bryan Smart’s good run with his two-year-olds continued when Allformary, the 5-4 favourite, made all the running under Tom Eaves to win the Lumsden And Carroll/EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes.

She had two and a half lengths to spare over Drop The Hammer.

Her owner, Alan Crombie, said: “She is the first horse I have owned outright, but I had a share in Celestial Welcome, who was trained by Mary Reveley and won an Old Newton Cup (ridden by Carl Lowther in 1999) at Haydock.

“Allformary ran well first time out here, but she came up against a good one in Yorksters Girl.

“The ground was much more gluey this time and she has finished tired, so I don’t know if Bryan will run her again this season.”

Jenny Candlish had a welcome change of luck when Lap Of Honour (9-1) came out best under Jimmy Quinn in the Northumbrian Water Handicap.

She said: “When he came to me he was too high in the handicap for what he had done.

“We had the bit of luck we needed with the draw, but the key to him in the ground and we will have to run him again soon.”

Paul Fessey was suspended one day (October 28) for using his whip with excessive frequency on seventh-placed Avontuur.

Candlish’s team suffered a hefty reverse half an hour later, however, when her 2-9 favourite Princess Rainbow was beaten by Gay Kelleway’s 25-1 chance Ice Bellini in the Phil Bentley Is 40 Now Median Auction Maiden Stakes.

Kelleway said: “I am so pleased for her owners, the Jcs Partnership, because they also bred her.

“When she came to me she had only ever beaten two horses, but the visor and the step up in trip helped.

“I did not think she would beat the favourite, but I thought she would be second.”

Ross Smith, 19, gained his first success on only his second ride under Rules when bringing home the Linda Perratt-trained Prince Rhyddarch in the Gowland And Dawson Handicap for amateur riders.

Smith said: “I was with Mr (Ian) Semple for three years before Miss Perratt moved to the stables so I’ve been with the yard for three and a half years.”

Because of the ground conditions, the stalls had to be dispensed with for the Fastflow Pipeline Services Handicap.

A flip start was required in the 10-furlong contest, which was won by Ann Duffield’s Bavarian Nordic.

Cheltenham Festival Change

Cheltenham Racecourse have announced some significant changes to the racing schedule for The Festival in 2009, which takes places from March 10 to 13.

On each day of The Festival, the feature race will now be the fourth race of the day, giving more of a sense of building to a climax. This change has resulted in a rescheduled race programme, as revealed below.

The totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup will remain the first race over fences on Friday and, to accomplish this, the Vincent O’Brien County Hurdle moves from being the last race of The Festival to become the second event on Gold Cup day, meaning that it will be televised on Channel 4 for the first time.

The final contest of The Festival 2009 will be the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual, a handicap chase over two miles and half a furlong, while a new race, a conditional jockeys’ handicap hurdle over an extended two and a half miles becomes the sixth race that day.

Explaining the change, Racecourse Managing Director, Edward Gillespie, said: “It was apparent from the experience of last season that a greater period of build-up to the biggest races was almost universally popular.

“On that basis, the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle, Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase, Ladbrokes World Hurdle and totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup will be the fourth race on each day respectively, starting at 3.20pm. Because we are now starting racing at 1.30pm instead of 2pm, these races will only actually be run five minutes later than in the recent past.

“The movement of the County Hurdle away from its slot as the final race of The Festival will give Gold Cup day a different feel, but we are still ending The Festival with two ultra-competitive handicaps, so the battle between punters and bookies will still be alive until 5.15pm on the Friday!”

In other changes, The National Hunt Chase continues to be rejuvenated, with a new televised slot, opening the card on Wednesday, March 11, a day which will feature seven races for the first time since The Festival was extended to four days in 2005.

The David Nicholson Mares Hurdle moves to Tuesday (from Friday), and the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle to Wednesday (from Tuesday).

Prize Money for The Festival 2009 has risen to £3.59 million (£3.42 million in 2008), an amazing average of over £138,000 for each of the 26 races.

Away from The Festival, it was announced that both the Paddy Power Gold Cup on November 15 and the boylesports.com Gold Cup on December 13 will have 48-hour declarations and reserves in place (if the races are over-subscribed) for the first time.

 

The 2008/2009 season at Cheltenham begins on Friday and Saturday October 17 & 18, the second staging of The Showcase, allowing racegoers to get behind the scenes of Jump racing and find out much more about many aspects of the sport.

Order of Running – THE FESTIVAL 2009

First Day – Tuesday 10th March (Old Course)

1.30 The Supreme Novices’ Hurdle Race 2m abt ½f

2.05 The Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy Steeple Chase abt 2m

2.40 The William Hill Trophy Handicap Steeple Chase 3m abt ½ f

3.20 The Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy 2m abt ½f

4.00 The Cross Country Steeple Chase 3m abt 7f

4.40 The David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle Race 2m abt 4f

 

Second Day – Wednesday 11th March (Old Course)

1.30 The National Hunt Steeple Chase Challenge Cup abt 4m

2.05 The Ballymore Properties Novices’ Hurdle Race 2m abt 5f

2.40 The Royal & SunAlliance Steeple Chase 3m abt ½ f

3.20 The Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Steeple Chase abt 2m

4.00 The Coral Cup Hurdle (A Handicap Hurdle Race) 2m abt 5f

4.40 The Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle Race 2m abt ½f

5.15 The Weatherbys Champion Bumper (A Standard Open NH Flat Race) 2m abt ½f

 

Third Day – Thursday 12th March (New Course)

1.30 The Jewson Novices’ Handicap Chase 2m abt 5f

2.05 The Pertemps Final (A Handicap Hurdle Race) Abt 3m

2.40 The Ryanair Steeple Chase 2m abt 5f

3.20 The Ladbrokes World Hurdle Race abt 3m

4.00 The Festival Plate (A Handicap Steeple Chase) 2m abt 5f

4.40 The Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Steeple Chase 3m abt 1½ f

 

Fourth Day – Friday 13th March (New Course)

1.30 The JCB Triumph Hurdle Race 2m abt 1 f

2.05 The Vincent O’Brien County Handicap Hurdle Race 2m abt 1f

2.40 The Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle Race abt 3m

3.20 The totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup Steeple Chase 3m abt 2 ½ f

4.00 The Christie’s Foxhunter Steeple Chase Challenge Cup 3m abt 2 ½ f

4.40 The Conditionals’ Hurdle (A Handicap)(0-140) 2m abt 4½ f

5.15 The Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Steeple Chase Challenge Cup 2m abt ½ f

Jeremy Noseda Bids For Third Park Win

Jeremy Noseda has two chances to win the Cheveley Park Stakes for the third time with both Mythical Border and Adorn lining up on the Rowley Mile.

Wannabe Grand struck in Noseda’s early days as a trainer in 1998 before Carry On Katie obliged in 2003 and he has secured top jockeys Ryan Moore and Frankie Dettori to help his cause.

Moore will be on Cheveley Park Stud’s Adorn, who bolted up at Kempton last time, while Dettori’s mount is Flying Childers third Mythical Border.

“Mythical Border is in good order and ran a great race on what was just her second career start last month at Doncaster,” Noseda told his website.

“I feel she will move forward for that and goes into the Cheveley Park with credentials that suggest she’ll be very competitive.

“I am happy with Adorn and while this is a big step up in class, I feel it’s worth taking a chance in what appears – at this point – not to be a vintage renewal of the event.”

Bushranger Middle Park Test

David Wachman is anticipating another bold show from Bushranger as he bids for a Group One double in the Shadwell Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket.

The Danetime colt landed top-level honours in France last time when impressively winning the Prix Morny at Deauville and although he has been pleasing his handler since, Wachman is taking nothing for granted.

“You can never be confident going into a race like this,” he said.

“The horse is very well, he’s pleased me since his run in France. The form has worked out well with the second and third both running well since.

“The ground won’t worry him tomorrow. It might be pretty quick but there is no way it will be quicker than it was at Ascot (when second to Flashmans Papers in the Windsor Castle).

“It’s a stiffish six furlongs at Newmarket but he certainly wasn’t stopping in France, in fact he was finishing best of all.

“It’s his sixth run tomorrow but we’re not making any plans until after the race regarding next year, we’ll just get this out of the way first.”

Friday 3rd October Selections

FRIDAY’S SELECTIONS

DUNDALK: 6.10 Brown Vixen , 6.40 Anklesocks, 7.10 Princess Luck, 7.40 Excellent Girl, 8.10 Great Wisdom, 8.40 Ashka, 9.10 Reload, 9.40 Top The Charts.

GOWRAN: 2.45 Alpine Eagle, 3.20 Mohtarres, 3.50 Clew Bay Cove, 4.25 Clover Pearl, 4.55 Frontier Lady, 5.25 Dancing Hero, 5.55 Little Barney.

HEXHAM: 2.15 Overnight, 2.50 That’s Rhythm, 3.25 Pressman, 3.55 Toy Gun, 4.30 Solent, 5.05 Reckless Venture, 5.40 Calm Seas.

LINGFIELD: 2.30 Regal Wave, 3.00 Art Value, 3.35 Satwa Street, 4.10 Silvanus, 4.45 Linby, 5.20 Princess India.

NEWMARKET: 1.00 Wahan, 1.30 Snoqualmie Girl, 2.05 Shabiba, 2.40 LANGS LASH (NAP), 3.10 Bushranger, 3.45 Battle Hero, 4.20 Duncan, 4.55 Midships, 5.30 Stow.

WOLVERHAMPTON: 6.50 Limelight, 7.20 Obe Brave, 7.50 Supermassive Muse, 8.20 Phoenix Flight, 8.50 Cool Strike, 9.20 Blow Hole.

DOUBLE: Langs Lash and Bushranger.

Langs Lash was a shock winner at Royal Ascot but she can show that was no fluke with a Group One victory at Newmarket on Friday.

Admittedly, Mick Quinlan’s yard is not the most fashionable of establishments but this Noverre filly looks a real star and is a sporting choice in the 32red.com Cheveley Park Stakes.

Langs Lash opened with a debut win at Folkestone but a second in Listed company at York on her next start saw the filly go off at odds of 25-1 in the Queen Mary.

She duly proved most game in holding Shyrl by a neck and although that one has not gone on to hit the expected heights, there were some decent runners in behind.

Quinlan then gave her a break and she ran a mighty race on her return, going down by just a neck in third behind Infamous Angel in the Lowther Stakes despite giving away 3lbs.

The pair clash again off level weights and Langs Lash can reverse that form on the way to success at the top level.

Bushranger can make it a Group One double for trainer David Wachman in the Shadwell Middle Park Stakes.

Already a Group Three winner and placed at the highest level, Bushranger put in a career-best effort when winning the Prix Morny by half a length from Gallagher on his last start.

His turn of foot impressed that day and although there was not much between them, Bushranger is taken to hold the runner-up once again.

You can make a case for virtually every runner in the Sakhee Oh So Sharp Stakes but Snoqualmie Girl has rock solid form and must surely be the one to beat.

David Elsworth’s filly was a Listed winner over a mile at Salisbury on her penultimate start but she proved no match for subsequent Fillies’ Mile heroine Rainbow View at Doncaster last timer.

There is little shame in being beaten by such a filly though and even though Snoqualmie Girl is stepping back in trip, the stiff finish could bring her stamina into play.

The Nayef Joel Stakes must rate as better than its Group Three status this year and Mike de Kock’s Eagle Mountain is a fascinating runner as he returns from a long lay-off.

However, preference is for Marcus Tregoning’s Shabiba who arrives in top form following a stylish Listed win at Sandown last time.

Satwa Street can open his account at the third time of asking in Lingfield’s Forest Row Median Auction Maiden Stakes.

After a disappointing effort on his racecourse bow, Satwa Street improved to take third at Great Leighs last time and can improve for the experience again.

Supermassive Muse just got touched off over five furlongs at Chester but he can gain compensation in the PWM Group Handicap at Wolverhampton.

That’s Rhythm can step up on his second place on his jumping bow in May with victory in the Hexham Christmas Party Nights Novices’ Chase at the north-east venue

A Seriously Good Bet

I do think forecast favourite Serious Attitude is the most interesting runner in the Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket on Friday.

She rather defies her pedigree as she is by Mtoto out of a mare called Zameyla, who I remember well, and you would expect her to have stamina for further than six furlongs.

However Serious Attitude has plenty of speed and last time out at Salisbury she won in very fluent fashion from Sneak Preview who went on to finish second in the Firth Of Clyde Stakes at Ayr. Rae Guest’s filly won in such good style at Salisbury that she could just be a cut above these, especially as all the other form lines are rather tight.

Pursuit Of Glory is a beautifully-bred filly who won a very modest race at Dundalk by six lengths last time. She improved in leaps and bound from her debut there and while the form isn’t very good, the fact she is being elevated to Group One company suggests she is held in very high regard.

David Wachman is a trainer on the up and his runner must be respected with Johnny Murtagh in the saddle.

Of the others, Infamous Angel won the Lowther Stakes at Newmarket but that was a bunch finish with Langs Lash back in third. She is three pounds better off with the winner here.

Heart Shaped is a possible improver for Aidan O’Brien although her form wouldn’t be quite good enough at this stage. She ran well enough when fourth to Please Sing in the Cherry Hinton, and the winner there is closely matched with Infamous Angel and Langs Lash on various formlines.

Another lightly-raced type who has looked very smart is Adorn who won an ordinarly all-weather maiden at Kempton last time. She goes up in class here and in such an open race, I am taking the chance that Serious Attitude could just be something special.

Trainer David Wachman also has a leading player in the Shadwell Middle Park Stakes with Bushranger who beat subsequent Champagne Stakes winner Westphalia earlier in the season.

He also beat Gallagher and subsequent Mill Reef winner Lord Shanakill in the Prix Morny at Deauville which is also very solid form.

Bushranger is the leading form choice although he doesn’t have an awful lot in hand of Gallagher or Prolific, who beat Gallagher in the Richmond Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.

It all looks very tight but Finjaan is a very interesting runner for Marcus Tregoning.

He won the Molecomb Stakes at Goodwood, beating a decent sort in Bonnie Charlie, and looks to have a lot of natural ability.

Connections expect him to improve over six furlongs and while he is quite firey and can take a keen hold, I make him my selection.

Papa Bull On The Charge To Longchamp

Papal Bull is on course to bid for an elusive first Group One success in Sunday’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp.

The five-year-old has gained a reputation as something of a quirky performer but has been in excellent form this term, kicking off with a fourth place in the Coronation Cup.

He then finished second in a Newmarket Group Two before pushing Duke Of Marmalade all the way when a narrow runner-up in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot in July.

Papal Bull has since finished third in a German Group One but was promoted to second after the initial winner Oriental Tiger was disqualified for a failed drugs test.

Trainer Sir Michael Stoute has given him a break since that run at Cologne in August and connections are hopeful their long-term plan can come to fruition.

“We are booking our flights today, but I don’t think it’s really sunk in yet and we haven’t started getting nervous,” said David Stack, a member of the Papal Bull Syndicate.

“Michael picked out the King George and the Arc for him earlier in the year and he’s done the first one and is on course for the second.

“The German track just didn’t suit him last time and Ryan Moore wasn’t too hard on him once his chance had gone.

“The horse (Kamsin) that ran second and was promoted to first has since gone on to win another Group One so the form isn’t that bad at all.”

A best-priced 25-1 for the Arc with Coral, Papal Bull has shown ability on a variety of surfaces but Stack is hoping for sound conditions at the Parisian track this weekend.

“We want goodish ground ideally but he is a good, hardy competitor and he has run well on soft ground before too,” he added.

“Michael is happy with him and he is an intended runner.”

Papal Bull is a best-priced 25-1 with Coral for the Arc with Alain de Royer-Dupre’s unbeaten filly Zarkava a general 7-4 market leader.

Dean McKeown & Paul Blockley Hearing Underway

Jockey Dean McKeown and trainer Paul Blockley were both in attendance as a British Horseracing Authority inquiry into alleged corruption began on Monday.

The pair, who deny the charges, are accused along with three owners, two former owners and two unlicensed individuals, of being involved with laying of horses to lose in 11 races between March 2004 and December 2005.

McKeown intended to represent himself at the hearing but he was accompanied by solicitor Christopher Stewart-Moore as the disciplinary panel commenced proceedings.

BHA spokesman Owen Byrne confirmed: “They were here along with five others and the inquiry is expected to last 10 days.”

Owners Clive Whiting, David Lovatt and Martyn Wakefield were all in attendance along with Whiting’s brother Vincent and former owner Marcus Reeder.

David Wright and Nicholas Rook were also among nine charged but did not appear.

Soldier Of Fortune Heading For Arc

Aidan O’Brien says Duke Of Marmalade and Soldier Of Fortune are both on target for Sunday’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp.

The Duke – a five-time Group One winner this season – has an alternative engagement at Dundalk on Friday night.

But if the weather holds it looks like he’s set to join his stablemate in the Paris showpiece on Sunday.

O’Brien told The Racing Post: “The plan remains the same. Soldier Of Fortune and Duke Of Marmalade are being aimed at the Arc.

“We entered Duke Of Marmalade for the Dundalk race just in case the ground comes up soft at Longchamp later this week.”

O’Brien also has a strong team for the other big races on a mouthwatering weeekend of action in France.

He added: “Halfway To Heaven and You’resothrilling are likely to go for the Prix de l’Opera, Yeats will run in the Prix du Cadran while either Mastercraftsman or Rip Van Winkle will go for the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere.

“Astronomer Royal and US Ranger may go for the Prix de la Foret, while Abraham Lincoln is a possible for the Prix de l’Abbaye.”