Horse Racing

February 2020

Outrage if Tiger doesn't qualify for Aintree: Power

Tiger Roll stands on the brink of history with a third Aintree Grand National in his sights but should anything go awry between now and Cheltenham, those hopes could be dramatically dashed.

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V is for Vibrance and victory for four-timer

Vibrance can continue on an upward curve by completing a course four-timer at Kempton.

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Elegant can win in style

Unfortunately, Sandown was cancelled today but hopefully Storm Denis won't impact on my rides at Haydock and Navan this weekend.

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Gold display on the cards at Gowran

Irish jumps racing has been forced to the sidelines for the past week due to Storm Ciara but business looks set to pick up at Gowran Park tomorrow with a quartet of Cheltenham Gold Cup contenders going through their paces.

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Al Boum one of 20 remaining for Gold Cup

Reigning champion Al Boum Photo is one of 20 horses still in contention for the s Cheltenham Gold Cup following the latest scratchings deadline for the six non-novice Grade Ones at next month's Festival.

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Percy to still be Davy pick

Owner Philip Reynolds is confident Davy Russell will maintain his fruitful partnership with Presenting Percy and not switch allegiances to Gigginstown's Delta Work in next month's Cheltenham Gold Cup.

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Stack will make late call on Carlo

Fozzy Stack will wait until later in the week before deciding whether to let Carlo Biraghi make his return from more than a year on the sidelines at Gowran Park.

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Dynamite not ready for Festival

Mouse Morris has taken French Dynamite out of the reckoning for next month's Cheltenham Festival because he believes the five-year-old is "too immature" for the challenge.

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Distance will suit Etikaal down to ground

A return to seven furlongs can see Etikaal get back on the winning path in the Bombardier Golden Beer Handicap at Newcastle.

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Mullins hit with triple blow

Three top Willie Mullins horses have been ruled out of Cheltenham next month. That Douvan is one of them is no surprise, but Saldier and Klassical Dream are also out - both were aimed at the Champion Hurdle.

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Oakley's upward curve to continue at Newbury

The Betfair Hurdle is a fiendish handicap conundrum, but Oakley may be able to solve the puzzle at a decent price this year.

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Mustard has keen chances

One of the biggest talking points of the weekend will be the change of race times with today's Naas card the first to veer away from the standard starting slots in Ireland.

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Fujimoto Flyer to test Festival aspirations at Kempton

Unbeaten juvenile hurdler Fujimoto Flyer may test her Cheltenham Festival aspirations by switching up to Grade Two level at Kempton this month.

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Exhibition for Bartlett show

Paul Nolan is "99 per cent sure" that Latest Exhibition will run in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle next month rather than the Ballymore.

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That Is The Spirit is firing on all cylinders

That Is The Spirit looks to be running into form ahead of the Bombardier "March To Your Own Drum" Handicap at Wolverhampton.

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O'Loughlin seeking Punchestown brace

Gearoid O'Loughlin has eyes on a big-race double at Punchestown with Space Cadet and Cedarwood Road.

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January 2020

Tiger Roll on course in bid to make Grand National history

Tiger Roll is the headline act among 105 entries for the £1million Randox Health Grand National.

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Irish stars' Sandown option remains open

Fakir D'oudairies and Laurina are two of 12 entries for the Betway Scilly Isles Novices' Chase at Sandown.

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Belfast Banter to open hurdles account

Down Royal will need to beat a cold snap overnight for this fixture to get the go ahead, but confidence is high that will be the case with the first race not until 1.20.

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Prospects bright for Williams' Cloudy Glen

The great Paisley Park bids for lucky number seven in a row in the galliardhomes.com Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham this afternoon as we continue to build towards the Festival in March, which seems just around the corner now.

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Minella Melody can jump into the Festival picture

It's Trials day over at Cheltenham, but a few candidates for that Festival in March may be unearthed at Fairyhouse this afternoon.

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Carefully Selected aims to be a qualified success

Carefully Selected (2.10, Naas) looks to be the star attraction on an interesting Naas card tomorrow afternoon.

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Galice Macalo can make mark

At Doncaster, Galice Macalo may be able to turn the form around with her rivals in the Sky Bet Fillies' Juvenile Hurdle.

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Johnson hopes to be back for Cheltenham

Richard Johnson is to have an operation on his broken right arm after a fall at Exeter - but is "very positive" he will recover in time for the Cheltenham Festival.

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Minella Rocco can find the right way again

Shamameya shaped with plenty of promise on her return from a lengthy absence a couple of weeks ago and is expected to open her account in the Ladbrokes Home Of The Odds Boost Fillies' Handicap at Lingfield.

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Indo looks likely to boost hopes of Festival repeat

Cheltenham Festival winner MINELLA INDO (3.05, Navan) would look to be the most exciting horse on show in Ireland this afternoon as he seeks to go one better on his second start over fences.

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Don't Panic, go on the Attack with Mullins

Willie Mullins sends his very first runner to Market Rasen for the Alan Swinbank Mares' Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race - and the hint should be taken.

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It's time to Future Proof on heavy ground

Fairyhouse must survive an 8.00am inspection this morning with the threat of further rain overnight on top of 8mm they got yesterday.

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Elliott could extend lead if Punchestown goes ahead

Storm Brendan looks to have put Punchestown's fixture this afternoon in some doubt with winds of up to 80km/h expected and the potential for gusts of up to 130km/h.

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Senior status

I make a rare visit to Warwick this afternoon for four good rides and I'd be hopeful of bagging at least one winner out of the day.