When will we be seeing.....
 

Voy Por
Monk
Numbersix
The Listener

Anyone? Thanks.

None of them have been retired... correct?

The only one that could have been retired is Monkerhostin, but i can't say for sure.

I'd say we will see them out between now and December sometime as long as none of them got an knocks over the summer.

The good national hunt races start next month really, so you'll start seeing some of the familiar names again by then.

Okay thanks.

Oh!

From Sporting Life!


LISTENER HEADS TO IRELAND

By Nick Robson, PA Sport


Robert Alner has outlined some early-season objectives for his smart chaser The Listener.

The dashing grey won the Lexus Chase last year and was only denied a Grade One double when collared in the final strides by Beef Or Salmon in the Irish Hennessy.

And due to his preference for soft ground, Alner is keen to campaign the eight-year-old in Ireland.

"We are governed by ground conditions and I wouldn't want to run him on anything faster than good," said Alner.

"He can act on good ground OK but both times at Leopardstown it was unbelievably wet and heavy and he just floated across it as if it was good ground, which is quite amazing.

"I'm not big on plans but basically we are having an Irish campaign which will take us until the end of this year and then we will think about Cheltenham and beyond - even what race he runs in there will depend on how we get there and how things have gone.

"We will start off hopefully in about three weeks at Down Royal in the James Nicholson Chase (November 3). After that there is the John Durkan at Punchestown (December 9) and back to Leopardstown for the Lexus (December 28) and the Hennessy (February 9)," he told At The Races.

"The prize money is very good indeed and it goes without saying that they are very hospitable over there, but you couldn't do it with every horse.

"The Listener is quite laid-back and travels well and it has to be a disadvantage to go away from home, but he has proved he can do it without a bother.

"Daryl Jacob will continue to ride him. He will come to ride him next week and he will school once a week until we run him.

"Touch wood we have had no hiccups with him and he came in a lot earlier this year."

Not posting this with any pick... that's impossible with Monet (pretty boy :cool: ) and Kauto, My Way et al BUT LOOK!!!!!

MONK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :cool:

Hooray for him not being retired. :)

(I did think Exoctic Dancer was though.....)



Sunday October 28 2007
Aintree 14:40

Bonusprint.Com Old Roan Steeple Chase (A Limited Handicap)
£50000.00 added, 4yo plus, 2m 4f, Class 1
18 runners
Going: N/A

132/12F- Ashley Brook (IRE) 420 9 - K Bishop
112121- Exotic Dancer (FR) 16 7 - Jonjo O'Neill
0/2056P- Fundamentalist (IRE) 5 9 - N A Twiston-Davies
130/P05- Gold Heart (FR) 325 5 - J J Quinn
32365P- Hi Cloy (IRE) 179 10 - M Hourigan
111111- Kauto Star (FR) 78 7 - P F Nicholls
1122-50 Lankawi 91 5 - P Bowen
2/3646-U Le Volfoni (FR) 183 6 - P F Nicholls
1335-00 Magic Sky (FR) 161 7 - M F Harris
1/16141- Monet's Garden (IRE) 29 9 - N G Richards
3/344R5- Monkerhostin (FR) 3 10 - P J Hobbs
212111- My Way de Solzen (FR) 39 7 - A King
1/11400- Newman Des Plages (FR) 55 6 - Jonjo O'Neill
213P0P- Royal Rosa (FR) 177 8 - J Howard Johnson
61/0563- Supreme Prince (IRE) 7 10 - P J Hobbs
221131- Three Mirrors 13 7 - Ferdy Murphy
2/10102- Too Forward (IRE) 34 11 - C Llewellyn
2P0400- Vodka Bleu (FR) 30 8 - D Pipe

Many will say i'm mad..... and, yes, i am biased this time..... i think Monet's Garden is UNBEATABLE here.

I know it will be tough, but he is a very good horse when he's fresh, he loves Aintree and this trip is right up his street, when it could be on the short side for some of the others.

Kauto is brilliant, but he won't be at his very best for his return to action, but Monet's probably will be.

Monet's is my star, and i will be disappointed if he is beaten, even though he probably will be.

My Way is probably out.....

He was scared of Monet's :)

I actually don't think it's far-fetched at all for Monet to win.....

Hope he and Monk (applause :D ) do well.

Ofcourse it isn't. This is a handicap, remember. Kauto is going to have to carry a huge amount of weight in this race.

I seriously think Monet's will win (very serious face here)!

Monet's wins :)

Very nice.

* * *
I'm not on here for a day and a half and miss all the news? :eek: :)

Now all I need is Numbersix news..... :)

Sporting Life.....

CHANCE MONK IN CHARLIE TEST


By Man On The Spot


BETTING BOX
FIXED ODDS
2pts win Monkerhostin in Charlie Hall Chase at best morning price. Goes well fresh, handles any ground and gets weight from main rivals.

Madison Du Berlais: Winner of three handicap chases including a Grade Three event at Newbury in March. Yet to race beyond two miles and five furlongs, and sure to have any stamina limitations exposed here. Having said that he is worth a try at the trip, but has to find significant improvement on all known form to live with the best of these under a penalty. Trainer David Pipe won this race last year with Our Vic.

State Of Play: Showed he goes well fresh when ready winner of the Hennessy last year. Gallant sixth in Cheltenham Gold Cup following that but rounded off last season with a disappointing effort at Aintree behind Exotic Dancer. Leading player on form and ratings, absence not a problem and goes on the ground. Like Madison Du Berlais, has to concede weight to the rest due to a penalty, and that might just anchor him here.

Aces Four: Improved throughout novice season last year and put together three excellent efforts at the end of season festivals. His fourth behind Denman at Cheltenham was bettered when he won at Aintree, and he would have collected at Punchestown too but for a final fence fall. Has yet to win on his reappearance, but did win over hurdles after a three-month break so can go well fresh. Trainer Ferdy Murphy's runners have tended to need their first run so far, and he might just struggle to give five pounds to some talented if frustrating performers.

Turko: Looked useful over two and a half miles as a novice chaser last season, but then disappointed when stepped up in trip on final two starts. He was pulled up behind Aces Four at Aintree last time, and there has to be stamina concerns given they are likely to go at a good clip.

Bewleys Berry: Looks a thorough stayer and was going well in front in the Grand National on his last start before he fell at Bechers. Jumped very well that day and jumping is an asset that is vital at Wetherby - the fourth fence from home is particularly unforgiving. Plenty to find on ratings but trainer Howard Johnson has a good record in the race and this one likes fast ground too, so is not without a chance.

Kingscliff: Hugely talented on his day but is prone to sulk and is not one to trust. Loves a thorough test of stamina and though went well on good ground at the Punchestown Festival in April, would probably prefer easier conditions. Raced prominently in this race twice before when second behind Ollie Magern and when fading to fourth behind Our Vic last year. Could see one or two passing him up the straight again this year.

Monkerhostin: Another with bags of talent but has become difficult to win with since outgrowing handicaps. Much more consistent than the likes of Kingscliff and Ollie Magern though, and has a live form chance given he was fourth in the Gold Cup ahead of the former and State Of Play. Goes on all types of ground and although can be a bit iffy with his jumping, he can be brilliant on his day. Crucially he goes very well fresh - he won the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter on his 2005 reappearance, and won on his first start in 2004 at Stratford. Will probably be held up here and the likely fast pace will suit.

Ollie Magern: Touted for Gold Cup glory after winning this race from the front in 2005, but hasn't come close to winning since (beaten a combined 300 lengths plus in last eight races). Something may have been amiss and if he is back to his best could win this from the front again. Nigel Twiston-Davies' stable is in hot form and a bold bid wouldn't surprise in the slightest. However, his form has been awful and it would take a great deal of trust if you were thinking about backing him. If he were a big price, and he should be, he may be worth a spectaculative punt, but the sponsors offer of 9/2 means he is readily passed over.

Conclusion: An intriguing contest that is going to depend on fitness and the relative talents of the horses' respective trainers as every contender lines up for the first time this season. Therefore, the top four have a really tough task conceding weight to the rest. Of those off 11 stone, Bewleys Berry is the least complicated, though he has plenty to find on the book. The other three (Kingscliff, Ollie Magern and Monkerhostin) are all risky propositions for different reasons, and it may pay to chance the latter given his record when fresh. Ollie Magern and Kingscliff should ensure this is a decent test, and Monkerhostin could benefit the most.



* * *
Racing Post...
Voy Por Ustedes to return in Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter

by John Sexton
.

VOY POR USTEDES, last season's Queen Mother Champion Chase winner, looks certain to make his eagerly awaited return to racing inthe valuable William Hill Gold Cup, centrepiece of the card at Exeter on Tuesday.

He is due to carry top weight of 11st 10lb from his rating of 169 in a high-class renewal of the race, better known as the Haldon Gold Cup, next week. He will have to give away at least 11lb to his rivals, with last season's leading 2m novice chaser Twist Magic next in the weights.

"The plan is that Voy Por Ustedes will run at Exeter just as long as the ground is okay," said trainer Alan King, "and at the moment it looks like being fine for him as it is good with good to firm places."

That was confirmed by Exeter's clerk of the course Barry Johnson, who walked the course on Thursday and was pleased with its condition.

He said: "It is mainly good though there area few good to firm spots down the back straight on the chase course. There is a good covering of grass and I think it is holding the moisture.
"It is a little faster on the hurdles course where it is mainly good to firm and I don't think there will be much change by next Tuesday. The forecast is for mainly dry weather, though we could have some light showers at the weekend, but no more than 2mm of rain."

Voy Por Ustedes is likely to be given a stiff test on his return, with Philip Hobbs confirming last season's Arkle Trophy runner-up Fair Along a near-certain runner.

He comes to the race on the back of an excellent third in the Cesarewitch last time and Hobbs plans to run him on Tuesday rather than wait for the Paddy Power Gold Cup 11 days later.

Other likely runners include Royal Shakespeare and David Pipe's Pablo Du Charmil.
* * *

Racing Post...

The Listener Faces Five Depending on Ground

by Thomas Deane

THE LISTENER (pictured) will face five rivals in Saturday's James Nicholson Wine Merchant Champion Chase at Down Royal - providing the ground is no quicker than good.

Robert Alner's talented grey has been declared andconnections are eager to run but do not want the word firm to appear in the going description.

The Listener jumped to prominence last season with a classy win in the Lexus Chase on heavy ground and Alner is hoping he will remain competitive in many of the top Irish contests.

Regarding Saturday's race, Alner said: "I'd still be worried about the ground and it'll be interesting to see how it rides there on Friday.

"Nick Mitchell, my assistant, is over there and will walk it after racing and we'll see how it is.

"As long as it is genuinely good ground he'll run and obviously we want to run as the horse travelled over on Wednesday and I'm really happy with him.
"I'd just be worried if it turned good to firm and I'd reserve the judgment whether to run or not if that was the case.

"The plan was to run him four times in Ireland this season - in this race, the John Durkan, the Lexus and then the Hennessy before taking things from there."

Should The Listener get thego-ahead to run, he will face stiff opposition from Taranis and Dusty Sheehy's Justified.

The former won last season's Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival and will be having his first crack at three miles, while the latter will have just his second run at the trip after reappearing with an impressive win in a Gowran Grade 2.

Former Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup winner Strong Flow will represent Dessie Hughes, with Baron De Feypo and Light On The Broom completing the line-up.

Bewley's is another of my favs but i'm not sure if he will be good enough here (i hope so though).

Him and Aces Four in the Charlie Hall for me.

Aaaah well.....



The Listener - heads back to Ireland.

LISTENER TO BID FOR REDEMPTION


By Keith Hamer, PA Sport


The Listener will try to gain compensation back across the Irish Sea next month following his early exit at Down Royal.

Trainer Robert Alner has the John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown on December 9 in mind for the eight-year-old grey.

The Listener only got as far as the third fence in the James Nicholson Wine Merchant Champion Chase when he unseated Daryl Jacob before running loose.

"He's absolutely fine. It was a disappointment, but there you go," said Alner.

"They weren't going fast enough. He has such power, he enjoys jumping so much he just overdid it. Next time we go over he'll go a faster gallop and bowl along.

"The idea was to hunt round for a circuit on Saturday then make it a race but he didn't get to do that.

"We're now heading for the John Durkan at Punchestown."

Alner has no plans for Kingscliff after he was last of the five finishers behind the trailblazing Ollie Magern in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby.

"He's OK, but we've no plans for him at the moment.

"That was a hell of a race and they went some gallop. When Ollie Magern's like that, he's just unbelievable.

"I think my owner was disappointed we didn't lie up with him but I don't think there were even many hurdlers who could lie up with that horse."

The winner of that race, Taranis, is a very smart chaser.

I'm sorry, but our boy Vor Por doesn't run tomorrow. I'm not quite sure why. I don't think anything is wrong with him. Maybe the ground is too firm for him. He will be running soon though.

Cheltenham soon......... i can't wait!!

Racing Post...

On Voy Por.....


Pair may go hurdling after missing Exeter chase

by David Carr

VOY POR USTEDES (pictured above, left) and Twist Magic could both make unexpected returns to hurdling after being ruled out of Tuesday's William Hill Gold Cup.

Each had been firmly pencilled in to make his comeback in Tuesday afternoon's £70,000 but neither was declared for the biggest race of the season at Exeter, where the ground on the chase course was described officially as good, good to firm in places.

Alan King felt there was not enough give underfoot for Voy Por Ustedes and said: “It was too firm and we are not chancinghim - it is not worth the risk. We were desperate to run but we have waited this long and we will continue to wait.

“We are not going to go anywhere until it rains but I have put him in over hurdles in a limited handicap at Wincanton on Saturday, theElite Hurdle - he is on off only 130 so that is an option for him.”

Voy Por Ustedes, who has not run over hurdles since his juvenile campaign in 2004/5 when he won three times, is among 18 entries for the Elite, along with last season's smart novice Osana and Deep Purple, who is unbeaten in four runs over jumps for Evan Williams.

Paul Nicholls also withdrew Twist Magic from the Exeter race and said: “When Alan didn't run Voy Por Ustedes I wasn't very keen on running under top-weight first time as a five-year-old on that ground so we decided to wait and play safe.

“He is in the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham and there is a graduation chase at Kempton next week that he is eligible for but we will wait and see where we go.”


... and Monk!



Monkerhostin effort thrills Hobbs

by Nick Robson

PHILIP HOBBS was delighted with Monkerhostin's third behind Ollie Magern in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby on Saturday.

The former King George VI Chase runner-up may next be seen over hurdles due to a lack of opportunities over fences.

"I was chuffed to bits really but there aren't that many options for him with his handicap mark," said Hobbs.

"We have the Limited handicaps to go at but he is 10 years old and he is not getting any better.

"I was delighted with his jumping, he raced with enthusiasm and he stayed on very well.

"We did have him entered in the Aintree race in which Kauto Star ran (the Old Roan Chase) but I think probably two and a half miles is too short for him these days - but we are looking at all the options.

"I wouldn't even disregard a three-mile hurdle race for him as there are so few options for him we just have to go where we can."

From RP.......

by Rodney Masters



VOY POR USTEDES (pictured above, pink cap) may make his seasonal debut at Cheltenham next Sunday in a £50,000 handicap over 2m, trainer Alan King said on Friday.

Fast ground frustrated King's original plan to launch his Queen Mother Champion Chase winner this week in the William Hill Gold Cup at Exeter, and also his alternative option, Saturday's totescoop6 Elite Hurdle at Wincanton. Now King may turn his attention to the £50,000 paddypower.com Handicap Chase.

“It wouldn't be ideal starting off under top weight ina handicap, but we're running rather short of options,” said the trainer. “He's not a definite runner at this stage because obviously ground conditions will again be a factor.”

Cheltenham is engaged in a watering programme, and course spokesman Andy Clifton said on Friday the going on the chase and hurdle courses was officially ‘good'. “We also hand 5mm of rain on Thursday, and that has helped,” he added.

Stablemate My Way De Solzen, winner of the Arkle Chase last season, is on course to clash with Kauto Star in Haydock's Betfair Chase on Saturday - providing the ground eases in the next fortnight.

King added: "It's pretty likely that My Way De Solzen will go to the Betfair Chase as that would be the first logical step. He's fine and ready to run but we need the rain.”

In Betfair's market on the Betfair Chase Kauto Star was trading as 11-10 favourite on Friday afternon ahead of My Way De Solzen at 4-1 and Exotic Dancer at 8-1.

Jessica Harrington has mapped out a return for top-class hurdler Macs Joy in the Maplewood Developments Hurdle at Punchestown next Sunday.

Harrington said: “It's great to have him back. He's a wonderful horse, we were very disappointed he didn't make it to Cheltenham last year and the plan this year will be to get two or three races into him before going for the Champion Hurdle again.”

Macs Joy is set to face stiff opposition in a field that could include previous winners Harchibald and Iktitaf, both trained by Noel Meade.

Nicky Henderson has admitted that there are some "dangerous" times ahead for Trabolgan as he plots a return for the 2005 Hennessy Gold Cup winner who has been off the track with tendon trouble for nearly two years.

"He's back and he looks tremendous," said Henderson. "Mick Meagher, who looks after them at (owner) Trevor Hemmings' stud, has done a great job and kept him ticking over in controlled exercise.

"Rain is the crucial thing - we are not getting drawn into making targets.

"An awful lot of the injuries are caused by them not being fit, particularly at this time of year - these are dangerous times," he told At The Races.


* * * * *

Hope Voy Por goes to Cheltenham on Sunday, then i will see him :)

Blow him a kiss when he wins...

* * *


IKTITAF OUT FOR SEASON


By Nick Robson, PA Sport


Noel Meade has ruled his Champion Hurdle hope Iktitaf out for the season after he suffered a nasty cut schooling on Friday morning.

The six-year-old was expected to make his seasonal reappearance in the Maplewood Developments Hurdle at Punchestown this weekend.

Iktitaf won the race last year and went on to push Brave Inca all the way in the December Festival Hurdle at Leopardstown.

He was in the process of running a huge race in the Champion Hurdle last March when he fell at the third-last flight.

"Iktitaf got a cut schooling this morning," said Meade.

"Paul (Carberry) came in to school him and he suffered a nasty overreach.

"It's a bad cut. We sent him off to hospital to have it stitched - it's definitely a bad cut.

"It's put paid to his season I would think."

On "brave Ustedes"... who lost by a head.....

http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/n...al_150342.html

He had to carry a big weight today, and the more rain that fell (believe me, there was a lot) the better chance the winner had.

The ground was terrible by that race, and it was quite a surprised they run anymore races. They did abandon the last race though.

Terrible day, soaked from head to toe. Felt like i had swam the atlantic fully clothed by the time i had got to the car!

From RP.......

by Lee Mottershead



“IT would have been lovely to win,” admitted Alan King, but neither he, jockey Robert Thornton nor the bookmakers seemed in the least bit concerned that the Queen Mother ChampionChase hero Voy Por Ustedes was beaten on his seasonal reappearance on Sunday.

Attempting to concede 26lb to Kalca Mome, Voy Por Ustedes succumbed by a neck at the end of a Paddypower.com Handicap Chase that the top two-miler's connections had made clear beforehand was a prep race for the Paddy Power Tingle Creek Trophy in 19 days' time.

The Seasons Holidays-sponsored Champion Chase remains the ultimate aim for the ante-post favourite, whose odds for the festival championship remained largely unchanged. Those layers who did make alterations were impressed, with Stan James now offering the shortest price about Voy Por Ustedes after cutting him to 100-30 from 7-2. William Hill went 4-1 from 5-1, while Blue Square's 9-2 is the biggest price available.

In a slowly run race staged on soft ground and in driving rain, Thornton sent Voy Por Ustedes - who was inclined to lug right for most of the contest - into the lead at the water jump. Although around five lengths clear at the penultimate fence, he was not asked a serious question until after the final obstacle, by which time the Richard Johnson-ridden Kalca Mome had already clawed back most of the deficit. Having taken over in the final strides, Kalca Mome went on to win a race in which third home Pauntley Gofa was only beaten just over 14 lengths, despite running from 41lb out of the handicap.

“I'm very happy with that,” said King. “I thought to myself going to the last, ‘He's going to get mugged', but with the weight he was carryingon that ground I'm still very happy.

“It would have been lovely to win here, but the two races we want to win this season are the Queen Mother and the Tingle Creek, and this should put him spot on for Sandown and take the freshness out of him, as he was almost too gassy today.

“I've said all along that it wouldn't be the end of the world if he got beat and he got beat, but he still came out of the race with a lot of credit.”

Agreeing with King, Thornton said: “I'm as happy as you can be after getting beat. It was one of those things. I was trying to save him on that ground and with that weight on his back, and he's just been pegged back.”

The horse who did the pegging back was described by Philip Hobbs as “a star”, but there are absolutely noplans for Kalca Mome to take on Voy Por Ustedes again.

“I think we might not beat him at level weights,” said Hobbs. No tongue has ever been firmer in cheek.

Winning groom: Liam Burns

On Numbersixvalverde.....

http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/n...xvalverde.html

Good boy, The Listener!

http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/n...NG_Durkan.html

He made the others look awful today. He basically laughed at them.

When getting his preferred soft or heavy ground he can be very good, like he showed today.

Look at him :)

Monk.....

http://horses.sportinglife.com/Racec...250050,00.html

Yea!!!!!

He ran a super race to finish 3rd. :)

Oh GOOD for him!!!!!

Next time!

Who won?

Over The Creek won, he was the favourite.

Monk was about 16/1 I think.

Oh wow, I'd have thought Kingscliff, L'Ami or Simon.

16/1??? Are they mad? This is MONK we're talking about! Geez.....

Simon was second, and he was closing on the winner all the time but the line came too soon for him. Simon will be a serious Grand National horse next year, I think.

Kingscliff isn't anywhere near the horse he used to be. He really doesn't like racing anymore.

Both L'ami and Monk had big weights on their backs. These two will always struggle in these handicaps.

Monk ran a huge race, if I'm honest I didn't fancy him to even hit the board. He always does his very best though.

If the race was another furlong further, I think Simon would have won and Monk second.

VOY POR!

Yell it from the rooftops!!! :D

Sporting Life.....

VOY VICTORIOUS IN ORCHID HEAT
(no author listed)


Voy Por Ustedes registered back-to-back victories in the Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton.

Alan King's Champion Chase hero produced yet another masterclass in jumping to defeat Hoo La Baloo with the minimum of fuss.

Although he looked slightly tired at the line, the 2-5 favourite barely touched a twig en route to a seven-length verdict under Robert Thornton.

Voy Por Ustedes and Hoo La Baloo put clear daylight between themselves and the rest of the leg-weary field with four fences remaining - with the latter just holding a slight advantage.

But once Thornton pressed the button at the next, the response was both immediate and decisive.

The six-year-old got a shade close to the penultimate obstacle but that proved no bar to another big-race success for the Sir Robert Ogden-owned gelding, who was giving weight all round.

King said: "That was just what was wanted for the horse.

"It was frustrating to see him nailed on the line first time back at Cheltenham but he was beaten fair and square by Twist Magic in the Tingle Creek.

"I was very happy with him coming into this and it will be the same lead-in to Cheltenham as last year, with a break and then the Game Spirit."

Stan James left Voy Por Ustedes unchanged at 7-2 to win consecutive renewals of the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

King and Thornton doubled up when Yardbird (9-2) went one place better than last year in the stanjamesuk.com Handicap Chase.

The eight-year-old bounded clear up the straight to beat Caribou by five lengths, with Thistlecraft a further four lengths away in third.

Part-owner Tim Collins, who was also responsible for 2000 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Looks Like Trouble, said: "He's a hard horse to catch right but the blinkers have made a tremendous difference to him.

"The ground was fairly testing, which was in his favour."

Mahogany Blaze landed his second victory over course and distance this term with a facile triumph in the Grade Two Stan James Wayward Lad Novices' Chase.

Nigel Twiston-Davies' charge was always up with the pace in the hands of Paddy Brennan and gained a definitive lead from runner-up Pur De Sivola four out.

The outcome was never really in doubt from that juncture as the 11-8 favourite overcame a slight mishap at the penultimate fence to win by 16 lengths.

Mahogany Blaze was given a 33-1 quote by VC Bet for the Arkle, with totesport and Ladbrokes shorter in price at 20s.

Twiston Davies said: "He took lengths off them at every fence.

"Paddy says he'll go further but I think we'll stick to two miles with one run before the Arkle."

Stan James gave Red Flare an introductory quote of 33-1 for the Triumph Hurdle after a successful debut over timber.

Alan King's three-year-old, ridden by Jack Doyle, outmuscled the 5-4 market-leader Hibiki to win the stanjamesuk.com Juvenile Novices' Hurdle by a length.

King said of the 11-1 shot: "In the sense he's only rated 49 on the Flat it was a surprise, and I didn't come here all that bullish about him.

"But I'm very pleased and it's young Jack Doyle's first winner for me."

Sovietica landed an almighty gamble when making all the running in the stanjamesuk.com Mares Only Handicap Hurdle.

Backed into 17-2, Jamie Moore enjoyed a dream ride aboard the six-year-old to score going away by two lengths from Hendre Hotshot.

Trainer Stewart Pike, who also owns Sovietica, said: "She's game and Jamie said it was a long time since he'd ridden a horse that had jumped as well as that."

RP, no author listed.....

Numbersixvalverde out for the season :(

NUMBERSIXVALVERDE will not bid to recapture his John Smith's Grand National crown in April after being ruled out for the season.

The 12-year-old struck Aintree gold for trainer Martin Brassil in 2006 but has not run since finishing sixth behind Silver Birch in last year's renewal.

Brassil had hoped to get his star stayer back in time for another crack at the marathon event, but those plans have now been abandoned.

He said: "He had a slight setback in October and he's taken a long time to get over it.

"It has taken longer than expected and we wanted to have two runs before Aintree. Time is just not on our side so I didn't enter him in the race at all.

"He's out for the season and we will now just concentrate on getting him back next year."

Numbersixvalverde had been available at odds ranging from 25-1 to 33s for the National.

That's a great shame about numbersix.

One of my favs. Always tries.

Wasn't around all weekend.... Voy Por and The Listener.... how did they do?

Thanks.

Trying to catch up and figured one of you would know. :)

Voy Por was beaten I'm afraid to say, but he was giving quite a bit of weight away. Some might say he was just a shade disappointing, which could be true, but Paul Nicholls thinks abn awful lot of the horse that won his race.

The Listener won in Ireland. He jumped beautifully and made almost all of the running.

Thanks!

Hey, where's my boy Monk?

Anyone know?

Thanks.

http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/n...ling_Snap.html

:) :cool:

Oh yes he can!

Show them, Monk and good luck to Monet's garden too.

Come home safe, everyone.


Sandown - Saturday 26 April
Going: Flat: Good to Soft-Good in back straight; NH: Good.

14:40
11 Run Bet365.com Celebration Chase (grade 2)
Class 1, £80000.00 added, 5yo plus, £45608.00 penalty 2m

1 41/1324- Monet's Garden :) (IRE) N G Richards 10 11 6 D Elsworth
2 1F/7462- Andreas (FR) P F Nicholls 8 11 2 R Walsh
3 1/P3P77- Celestial Gold (IRE) D Pipe 10 11 2 T J Murphy
4 F041/11- Fiepes Shuffle (GER) C Von Der Recke 8 11 2 J E Moore
5 1/14160- Howle Hill (IRE) A King 8 11 2 R Thornton
6 41/3624- Lennon (IRE) J Howard Johnson 8 11 2 Denis O'regan
7 F421P3- Lord Henry (IRE) P J Hobbs 9 11 2 R Johnson
8 1235F1- Mahogany Blaze (FR) N A Twiston-Davies 6 11 2 P J Brennan
9 21247U/ Nyrche (FR) A King 8 11 2 J A McCarthy
10 0/16350- Pablo Du Charmil (FR) D Pipe 7 11 2 T Scudamore
11 6150/07- Priors Dale Miss E C Lavelle 8 11 2 Jack Doyle


Betting Forecast: 2/1 Monet's Garden (IRE), 9/2 Mahogany Blaze (FR), 6/1 Andreas (FR), 8/1 Lord Henry (IRE), Lennon (IRE), 10/1 Howle Hill (IRE), Fiepes Shuffle (GER), 16/1 Pablo Du Charmil (FR), 20/1 Celestial Gold (IRE), 50/1 Priors Dale, Nyrche (FR)


FORMWATCH
MONET'S GARDEN (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) In rear, effort after 11th, weakened from 15th, 4th of 5, 48l behind Our Vic (11-10) at Aintree 3m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) gs.
ANDREAS (FR) 10-3 (11-12) Led, ridden and headed 3 out, one pace, 2nd of 7, 5l behind Marcel (10-3) at Ayr 2m hcp chs (2) gd.
CELESTIAL GOLD (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened last, 7th of 14, 16l behind Stan (10-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs.
FIEPES SHUFFLE (GER) (10-10) Led and soon clear, mistake 3rd, very easily, won at Mannheim 2m chs gd in Mar beating Bernaar (10-6) by a distance, 7 ran.
HOWLE HILL (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) Mid-division, hit 2nd, headway 7th, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 12th of 17, 38l behind Tiger Cry (10-6) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Mar.
LENNON (IRE) 5-1fav (11-9) Led, headed 6th, led again 8th, ridden 3 out, headed after 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 18, 9l behind Stan (9-9) at Aintree 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs.
LORD HENRY (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, ridden 3 out, led after 2 out, headed approaching last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 18, 4l behind Stan (9-9) at Aintree 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs.
MAHOGANY BLAZE (FR) 6-4fav (11-8) Held up in 4th, challenged after 4 out, led 3 out, soon headed, idled flat, driven to lead last strides, won at Cheltenham 2m nov chs (2) gd beating Oslot (11-8) by a hd, 5 ran.
NYRCHE (FR) 25-1 (11-8) Held up, closer order 8th, hampered and unseated rider 2 out in race won by Demi Beau (10-6) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs (2) sft in Nov '06, 11 ran.
PABLO DU CHARMIL (FR) 16-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, headway 7th, lost place 2 out, no chance after, 12th of 24, 21l behind Naiad du Misselot (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gs in Mar.
PRIORS DALE 25-1 (11-12) Chased leader to 8th, weakened approaching 4 out, soon tailed off, 7th of 9, well behind King Louis (11-2) at Newbury 2m 2f hcp chs (2) gd.


15:20
19 Run Bet365 Gold Cup Handicap Chase (grade 3)
Class 1, £150000.00 added, 5yo plus, £85515.00 penalty 3m 5f 110y

1 54/1436- Racing Demon (IRE) Miss H C Knight 8 11 12 Paul Moloney
2 35P16U- Knowhere (IRE) N A Twiston-Davies 10 11 0 P J Brennan
3 131425- Hoo La Baloo (FR) P F Nicholls 7 11 0 R Walsh
4 4R5/33P- :cool: Monkerhostin :cool: (FR) P J Hobbs 11 10 13 R Johnson
5 3632F2- Ungaro (FR) K G Reveley 9 10 10 S Thomas
6 1105P9- Vodka Bleu (FR) D Pipe 9 10 6 T J Murphy
7 29F/2P5- Bewleys Berry (IRE) J Howard Johnson 10 10 4 Denis O'regan
8 2/P014F- D'Argent (IRE) A King 11 10 1 R Thornton
9 11/U182- Royal County Star (IRE) A J Martin 9 10 0 Robert Colgan (3)
10 4U3335- Royal Auclair (FR) P F Nicholls 11 10 0 Harry Skelton (7)
11 1/P8221- Caribou (FR) O Sherwood 6 10 0 D Elsworth
12 P/2P422- Without A Doubt C Llewellyn 9 10 0 J E Moore
13 7P3P24- Preacher Boy R J Hodges 9 10 0 Mr N Scholfield (5)
14 2/31314- Lothian Falcon P Maddison 9 10 0 F Davis (5)
15 82/223F- Pak Jack (FR) R T Phillips 8 10 0 S Quinlan (5)
16 12F3U0- My Immortal D Pipe 6 10 0 T Scudamore
17 022733- Burntoakboy Dr R D P Newland 10 10 0 S P Jones (3)
18 33121P- Burren Legend (IRE) R Rowe 7 10 0 D P O'Dwyer (7)
19 0/P3131- Iris De Balme (FR) S Curran 8 10 0 Charlie Huxley (7)


Betting Forecast: 11/2 Royal County Star (IRE), 7/1 Ungaro (FR), Iris De Balme (FR), 8/1 Lothian Falcon, 10/1 Bewleys Berry (IRE), Hoo La Baloo (FR), 12/1 Racing Demon (IRE), 14/1 Caribou (FR), 16/1 D'Argent (IRE), Knowhere (IRE), 20/1 Monkerhostin (FR) :eek: , Burntoakboy, My Immortal, 25/1 Royal Auclair (FR), Vodka Bleu (FR), Preacher Boy, Pak Jack (FR), Without A Doubt, 66/1 Burren Legend (IRE)


FORMWATCH
RACING DEMON (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) In touch, jumped right 2nd, reminders and lost place 7th, behind from 3 out, 6th of 9, 15l behind Our Vic (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 4f chs Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar.
KNOWHERE (IRE) 66-1 (11-11) Mid-division, blundered badly and unseated rider at the 25th in race won by Comply Or Die (10-9) at Aintree 4m 4f Grand National (1) gd, 40 ran.
HOO LA BALOO (FR) 20-1 (11-7) Tracked winner, lost place approaching 5th, gradually weakened, 5th of 6, 40l behind Tamarinbleu (11-7) at Ascot 2m 1f chs Grd 1 (1) sft in Jan.
MONKERHOSTIN (FR) 8-1 (11-10) Mid-division, ridden and weakened 13th, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by An Accordion (10-12) at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Mar, 14 ran.
UNGARO (FR) 4-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, outpaced 13th, headway 4 out, soon ridden, kept on under pressure flat, 2nd of 7, 7l behind Cloudy Lane (11-9) at Doncaster 3m 2f hcp chs (2) gd in Mar.
VODKA BLEU (FR) 20-1 (11-8) Always towards rear, 9th of 14, 28l behind Stan (10-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs.
BEWLEYS BERRY (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, headway to lead after 4 out, headed approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 40, 30l behind Comply Or Die (10-9) at Aintree 4m 4f Grand National (1) gd.
D'ARGENT (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Raced wide, chased leaders until blundered badly and fell 4 out in race won by Comply Or Die (10-9) at Aintree 4m 4f Grand National (1) gd, 40 ran.
ROYAL COUNTY STAR (IRE) 6-1jt-fav (10-4) Held up, headway into 6th after 6 out, 2nd travelling well after 4 out, jumped left 2 out, soon ridden and no impression, 2nd of 23, 12l behind Hear The Echo (10-0) at Fairyhouse 3m 5f hcp chs gs in Mar.
ROYAL AUCLAIR (FR) 14-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway 16th, mistake 27th, ridden, weakened after 3 out, 5th of 16, 36l behind Garde Champetre (10-13) at Cheltenham 3m 7f crs cty hcp chs (2) gs in Mar.
CARIBOU (FR) 8-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway 13th, ridden 4 out, joined leader 3 out, led 2 out, hard pressed, held on gamely, won at Newbury 3m hcp chs 0-140 (2) sft in Mar beating Preacher Boy (11-3) by a nk, 14 ran.
WITHOUT A DOUBT 2-1 (11-12) Prominent, led 5th, headed 2 out, soon ridden, rallied gamely flat, held near finish, 2nd of 4, 1/2l behind Bowleaze (11-6) at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Mar.
PREACHER BOY 6-1 (11-10) Prominent, left in lead 14th, headed 16th, lost place when hampered 4 out, stayed on again approaching last, 4th of 11, 10l behind Le Duc (10-13) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs.
LOTHIAN FALCON 15-8fav (11-5) Held up, headway 3 out, ridden and effort next, no impression approaching last, 4th of 11, 6l behind Star Beat (9-12) at Doncaster 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Mar.
PAK JACK (FR) 7-1jt-fav (10-11) Mid-division, headway 9th, in touch when fell at the 12th in race won by Gwanako (11-8) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs (2) gd, 29 ran.
MY IMMORTAL 14-1 (11-12) In touch, ridden after 12th, soon weakened, 10th of 16, well behind Island Flyer (10-12) at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Mar.
BURNTOAKBOY 9-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway 18th, hampered 4 out, chased winner 3 out, one pace and lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 19, 7l behind Gaelic Gift (10-1) at Cheltenham 3m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd.
BURREN LEGEND (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Held up, hit 8th, headway 12th, with leaders when hit 17th, soon weakened, slightly hampered 4 out and pulled up 3 out in race won by Le Duc (10-13) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs, 11 ran.
IRIS DE BALME (FR) 66-1 (9-7) Held up, steady headway 20th, chased leaders 4 out, ridden to lead 2 out, clear approaching last, ran on strongly, won at Ayr 4m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd beating Halcon Genelardais (11-12) by 14l, 24 ran.