CHELTENHAM 2018 FESTIVAL COUNTDOWN
All the news and views on the eve of the Cheltenham Festival
Jack Haynes hosted the blog with the big meeting almost upon us
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Key events
- Altior was reported lame by Nicky Henderson at around midday but connections remain hopeful he will contest the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase
- Going update: conditions changed to heavy, soft in places following more rain on Sunday
- Day-two declarations: Douvan runs in the Champion Chase
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10 hours agoWe’ve counted down the months, weeks and days. Now we’re counting down the hours to the 2018 Cheltenham Festival.Today we will take a close look at Tuesday’s races plus this morning declarations will be made for day two, when we will find out whether Douvan lines up in the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase.There will be updates on the weather at Cheltenham through the day with clerk of the course Simon Claisse changing the going to heavy, soft in places this morning.Jack Haynes
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10 hours ago
Testing conditions
The official going has this morning eased to heavy, soft in places following ten millimeters of rain overnight. Clerk of the course Simon Claisse told the Racing Post . . .
We’re okay, the track has taken the rain better than I anticipated. There isn’t much standing water around.
We had a fairly intense period of rainfall between six and seven o’clock last night and again early doors this morning
Jack Haynes -
10 hours ago
‘It’s been a challenging build-up’
Thankfully clerk of the course Simon Claisse dismissed any chance of a potential inspection on Tuesday morning, although described the last couple of weeks as a “challenging build-up” with 45/46 millimeters of rain falling at the track in the last ten days.
Cheltenham: going changed to heavy, soft in places on Monday morning Jack Haynes -
Cleeve Hill is barely visible on a grey, damp but wonderfully exciting morning @CheltenhamRaces. After another wet night it’s definitely squelchy underfoot.
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10 hours ago
Cross-country conditions
It is worth adding that the going remains soft, heavy in places on the cross-country course.
Causes Of Causes: won the Glenfarclas Chase last year Jack Haynes
MarkSuThe ground is a big worry for Cause of Causes in the Glenfarclas Chase. Hopefully it will put him right for the National where it will be better ground.Mar 12 2018 12:46 PM -
10 hours ago
Which race should Douvan run in at the festival?
44%Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase
Jack Haynes -
10 hours ago
Good news from Sussex
If you’re looking to build your festival fund today, take into consideration Plumpton’s six-race card as the course has passed a morning inspection. Stratford will have to pass an inspection at 10.30am if there is to be a full house of action today.
Plumpton: racing goes ahead following morning inspection Jack Haynes -
He’s definitely here! Douvan (rider in grey jacket) exercising this morning @CheltenhamRaces
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Champion Chase or Ryanair?
So what is your view on the Douvan dilemma? Can he beat Altior or Un De Sceaux on his first start in a year? Our very own Peter Scargill has had his say . . .
Douvan: a possible runner in the Champion Chase or Ryanair Chase Jack Haynes -
Lee Mottershead@leemottershead
Racing Postfonte : RacingPost
Derby Contender ‘Gronk’ a Three-Time Auction Grad, By Ron Mitchell
When Gronkowski was purchased out of last year’s Tattersalls Craven breeze-up sale for the equivalent of $404,492, it marked the Lonhro colt’s third time to change hands at public auction.
The colt, owned by Phoenix Thoroughbreds and trained by Jeremy Noseda, entered the classic fray when he posted a three-quarter-length victory in the Road to the Kentucky Derby conditions stakes March 7 over the all-weather track at England’s Kempton Park. That win moved him into a tie with Saxon Warrior—who is not being considered for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1)—in the European Road to the Kentucky Derby points standings. (Mendelssohn also is now tied atop those standings.)
Kerri Radcliffe, Noseda’s former partner, signed the ticket on behalf of Phoenix to acquire “Gronk” from the Lynn Lodge Stud offerings at Tattersalls.
“He breezed well and looked like he had all the assets to be a nice racehorse,” Noseda said of why he was attracted to the colt. “He breezed beautifully and was a lovely horse. He was a big, strong, fine horse. He was a real man of a horse.”
Though he has been pleased with the colt’s progress to date, Noseda said, “We have bigger expectations and we are getting there slowly but surely. He’s got plenty of talent. He’s been straightforward to train.”
Noseda is leaning toward pointing the son of Lonhro to the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G2) at Keeneland, although the Wood Memorial Stakes (G2) at Aqueduct Racetrack also is an option. Both races are scheduled for April 7.
Prior to being offered at Tattersalls last year, Gronkowski was purchased by Peter and Ross Doyle Bloodstock for $67,416 when he was consigned by Lynn Lodge to the Tattersalls October yearling sale. The colt’s first journey through the sales ring came in 2015 when Trackside Farm sold him as a weanling to Margaret O’Toole for $75,000 at the Keeneland November breeding stock sale.
Bred in Kentucky by Larry Goldman’s Epic Thoroughbreds, Gronkowski is out of Four Sugars, a daughter of 2010 Preakness Stakes (G1) winner Lookin At Lucky .
Trackside owner Tom Evans said he and Goldman inspected Lonhro at Darley and “he was an impressive individual,” resulting in the decision to mate Four Sugars to the Australian champion.
fonte : Bloodhorse.com
Stalloni: deceduto il promettente ma sterile The Wow Signal
11/03/2018. Giappone: Mirco Demuro vince il Kinko Sho G2 su Suave Richard, 35 vittorie in stagione per il jockey italiano
