Grand National Entries: 57 remain in contention for Aintree glory

"The latest raft of defections means that runs are guaranteed for the likes of Wyck Hill, Chicago Grey... and The Rainbow Hunter."

The weights for the 2013 John Smith's Grand National could be set to go up as several of those towards the head of the weights were withdrawn at the latest forfeit stage.

Of the top five on the racecard, only What A Friend looks a probable runner at this stage, with Albertas Run, Quito de La Roque and Katenko among 16 defections on Tuesday. Imperial Commander, 1 lb ahead of What A Friend, remains among the entries but a combination of lingering injury concerns and an alternative engagement in the Bowl mean he's far from a certain starter.

Among the more fancied runners that were pulled out were Bobbyjo Chase winner Roi du Mee and Badger Ales Trophy winner The Package, the latter of which was pulled up at the Cheltenham Festival last week. 

The others to be withdrawn on Tuesday were Calgary Bay, Midnight Chase, Planet of Sound, Jessies Dream, Problema Tic, Frisco Depot, Alfie Sherrin, Matuhi, Tartak, Summery Justice and Odysseas.

The latest raft of defections means that runs are guaranteed for the likes of Wyck Hill, Chicago Grey (now Timeform top-rated following his win in the Red Mills Chase) and The Rainbow Hunter. Mr Moonshine, runner-up to Cape Tribulation in the Rowland Meyrick over Christmas, is now in the dreaded forty-first position with less than three weeks to go before the race.

Horses To Follow 2013. 50 of the best Flat prospects & much more. Out now. 136 pages. Only £9.95

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Punchestown: Fabulous entries for five day Festival

News / Timeform / 05 April 2012 / Leave a Comment

Jewson winner Sir des Champs will run at Punchestown.

“It’s been so far so good with Sir Des Champs so let’s hope he stays sound for Punchestown..."

The entries have been announced for the first two days of the 2012 Punchestown Festival and a whole array of stars look set to line up at Ireland's flagship National Hunt meeting...

Wednesday's feature, the Punchestown Gold Cup, has attracted 32 entries, compared to 14 last year, and a fantastic contest is in store.

There are 10 entries from Britain including Sir Alex Ferguson's What A Friend and Aerial from Paul Nicholls' stable. Meanwhile actor Jimmy Nesbitt's Ryanair Chase winner Riverside Theatre is one of three engaged from Nicky Henderson's yard along with Cheltenham Gold Cup fourth Burton Port and Quantitativeeasing.

The 2010 Punchestown Gold Cup winner Planet Of Sound could represent Philip Hobbs alongside Captain Chris, who is on course for a visit to Ireland, while Donald McCain has engaged the 2011 Grand National winner Ballabriggs and Charlie Hall Chase hero Weird Al.

A strong home team include last year's winner Follow The Plan and the exciting novice First Lieutenant, who could carry the colours of Michael O'Leary's Gigginstown House Stud in the championship event.

The seven-year-old, who finished second to Bobs Worth in the RSA Chase at Cheltenham, is also entered in the Grade 1 Champion Novice Chase on Tuesday, on April 24, but the brilliant novice Sir Des Champs - winner of Cheltenham's Jewson Novices' Chase - is likely to carry the Gigginstown colours in that race.

"If all goes well and both are sound on the day then Sir Des Champs would go for the Champion Novice Chase on the first day of the meeting," said Eddie O'Leary, racing manager to Gigginstown House Stud.

"I'm not saying he definitely will, but First Lieutenant could go for the Gold Cup. We've kept the two of them apart all year and I think we will still try and keep them apart.

"It's been so far so good with Sir Des Champs so let's hope he stays sound for Punchestown.

"It was a fantastic run by First Lieutenant at Cheltenham and we've been very happy with him. He was beaten by a very good horse that day and perhaps the ground was a bit too soft for him over there."

The Gigginstown colours are also set to be carried in the Punchestown Gold Cup by Quito De La Roque, who looked a hugely exciting prospect before disappointing in the Lexus Chase on December 28.

"All being well Quito will go for the Gold Cup and he's very, very well," said O'Leary.

"We were all very disappointed the last day when he got beaten but he was sick afterwards.

"Hopefully we'll see him back to his best again at Punchestown."

Trainer Noel Meade revealed today that Realt Dubh, who finished fifth in the two-mile Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham on his only start this season, is set to step up in trip for the Punchestown Gold Cup.

"I think Realt Dubh will run in the Punchestown Gold Cup over three miles and one furlong," said Meade.

"I don't know if the trip will bring out improvement because last year when he got beat in the Drinmore Novice Chase I worried that he didn't get two and a half miles, but then he won the Powers Gold Cup over two and a half.

"I just think two miles is too short for him and there is no two and a half mile race at Punchestown so the three mile and one furlong race is the one he will go for.

"That's what the plan is at the moment anyway. But if it was really heavy ground he would probably go for the Champion Chase over two miles at Punchestown.

"It was his first run for a long time in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham and he ran OK. He didn't run in the Webster Cup at Navan on Saturday because of the ground."

See top racing at some of the UK's premier tracks free with Betfair and Jockey Club racecourses...

With Betfair sponsoring what promises to be an informative jumps card at Haydock on Saturday, Timeform cast an early glance over the three televised races and hopefully point you toward some winners......

Camelot, favourite for the 2000 Guineas and Derby, is among Aidan O'Brien's 24 entries for the Dante Stakes at York on May 17......

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Cheltenham Festival 2012: Ferdy Murphy sweet on his entries

News / Timeform / 08 March 2012 / Leave a Comment

Ferdy Murphy

"Graham came in to oversee the schooling of Divers this morning and was very pleased with him."

Ferdy Murphy feels he has another strong team heading towards the Cheltenham Festival next week.

The Middleham handler usually pulls one rabbit out of the hat each year in the Cotswolds, with Divers landing the Centenary Novices' Chase 12 months ago.

Festival regular Kalahari King will have another go in the Ryanair Chase, having finished second last year, but it is in the handicaps Murphy looks strong.

Divers will return, this year in the Byrne Group Plate, and will have the assistance of Tony McCoy in the saddle with stable jockey Graham Lee injured.

De Boitron finished fourth in the Grand Annual last year and has that race as his aim again, while the unexposed novice Going Wrong has the race won by Divers, now known as the Pulteney Land Investments Novices' Handicap Chase, as his target.

"Graham came in to oversee the schooling of Divers this morning and was very pleased with him," said Murphy.

"At the same time Lucy Alexander popped De Boitron over a few fences and he jumped really well, too.

"Those two are going really well and must have decent chances. They've both run well at the meeting before and they love good ground.

"Davy Russell has been booked for Going Wrong and I think he must also have a chance.

"I've got a lot of horses who want good ground and two weeks ago it looked like I was going to be able to run them all and then the rain came again.

"We're looking forward to it though, and hopefully we'll come back with a winner."

...........
Click HERE to get the latest issue of the Timeform Black Book, featuring ratings for all 27 Cheltenham Festival races, plus those for Imperial Cup weekend!

Camelot heads 143 colts remaining in the Investec Derby following the first forfeit stage for the premier Classic at Epsom on June 2....

Godolphin has 22 declared runners, including one reserve, for Super Saturday at Meydan on March 10 - the most valuable raceday in the UAE outside of Dubai World Cup night......

Invictus has emerged as a doubtful runner in the RSA Chase at Cheltenham......

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2000 Guineas: Camelot dominates Newmarket entries

News / Timeform / 07 March 2012 / Leave a Comment

Camelot winning at Doncaster.

"Camelot, rated 117P by Timeform, is one of 11 entries for Aidan O'Brien as he chases a sixth win in the race..."

Aidan O'Brien's Camelot is the star name among 63 entries for the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on May 5...

Already a Group One winner thanks to his stunning victory in the RP Trophy at Doncaster, the unbeaten colt currently heads the market for both the Guineas and the Derby.

Camelot, rated 117P by Timeform, is one of 11 entries for the Ballydoyle handler as he chases a sixth win in the race.

Born To Sea, trained by John Oxx, and Jim Bolger's Dewhurst winner Parish Hall add to the Irish challenge, while Harbour Watch is among eight possibles for Richard Hannon.

French trainer Mikel Delzangles, successful with Makfi two years ago, has two contenders in Dragon Pulse, formerly with Jessica Harrington in Ireland, and Hermival.

"The 2000 Guineas is a race we are considering for both horses," said Delzangles.

"They will both run once before that in the trials - one will run in the Prix Djebel (Maisons-Laffitte, April 5) and the other in the Prix de Fontainebleau (Longchamp, April 15). We will see what happens there and then decide after that.

"Dragon Pulse has been with me for three weeks. I was impressed with his Irish form, and he looks like he is a very decent horse. He has not done any work for me yet, but physically he has all the looks and size to make a champion.

"Hermival won quite impressively at Saint-Cloud and I like him. He is not a show horse, but he is a very hard worker and if he improves he could be a very good horse.

"Although he won on heavy ground, I think he will be fine on better ground."

Another French possible is Nicolas Clement's French Fifteen, who has been bought by Sheikh Al Thani after winning the Criterium International Saint Cloud.

Clement said: "The plan now is to run him in the Prix Djebel (before Newmarket) and he is a colt who needs a true early pace to show his best.

"He has a good turn of foot and could be ridden by Olivier Peslier if he isn't claimed by the Wertheimer brothers as he now has a second retainer with Sheikh Al Thani."

Matusalen is the Spanish-trained entry for Mauricio Delcher Sanchez, who has already enjoyed significant success in Britain having saddled Equiano to success in the 2008 King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The 2000 Guineas market is, at present, dominated by Camelot, who currently trades at [3.8]. Born To Sea can be backed at [13.5] with Power not far behind that one at [14.0].

...........
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Mendip is likely to bid to give Godolphin an 11th success in Round 3 of the Al Maktoum Challenge at Meydan on Super Saturday on March 10....

Bart Cummings will rely on German import Illo and second string Precedence as he attempts to win his 14th Australian Cup at Flemington on Saturday......

Trainer Paul Nolan has stated that he is pleased with leading Irish fancy Noble Prince's preparation for the Ryanair with the horse having had a breathing operation since his last start......

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The 2012 Ten to Follow Competition: Get your entries in now!

Ten to Follow Tipping Comp / Paul Krishnamurty / 11 February 2012 / 75 Comments

How many teams will contain a Tiger?

It's back! Like the all-new Tiger, we've come back leaner and simpler with the potential for extreme volatility (okay, not sure that's quite the analogy we're looking for...). Here's what you need to know - pick ten players (three from the top ten), score points throughout the golf season and if your team finishes top of the pile, £300 is yours

Welcome to the second running of the Betting.Betfair Ten to Follow golf competition!

In the few weeks since Gary Binosh became our inaugural champion, we've been reflecting on how to improve the competition, and have opted for a leaner, simpler format, based exclusively around the biggest 20 events. The plan is to even up the likely rewards of picking either favourites or outsiders; to cut out the boring weeks when hardly any of the big-names play; and to encourage greater movement and volatility on the leaderboard.

The first prize will again be £300. The first counting event is the WGC-Accenture Matchplay Championship in three weeks time, so the closing dates for entries will be midnight of February 21. Please enter your teams in the comments section below. (Note that unlike last year, we won't be accepting teams via e-mail).

Rules
Pick 10 from the world's top-100, as of February 1, 2012 (full list is below).
Each team can contain a maximum of 3 from the world's top-ten, listed below

Luke Donald
Lee Westwood
Rory McIlroy
Martin Kaymer
Steve Stricker
Webb Simpson
Adam Scott
Charl Schwartzel
Dustin Johnson
Jason Day

Scoring system
Win tournament = 100pts + 1pt @ Betfair SP (Calculated as highest pre-tournament price, backed for a minimum of £500)
2nd = 50pts
3rd = 40pts
4th = 30pts
5th = 20pts
6th - 10th = 10pts

*All above positions include ties.
*For the two Matchplay events, losing at the last-16 stage will count as a tie for ninth place and losing at the last-eight stage will count as a tie for fifth.
*Double points will be awarded in the four Majors

Ten to Follow events
(Points earned count double in Major championships, highlighted below)

Feb 22nd: WGC-Accenture World Matchplay
Mar 8th: WGC-Cadillac Championship
Mar 22nd: Arnold Palmer Invitational
Apr 5th: US Masters
May 3rd: Wells Fargo Championship
May 10th: Players Championship
May 17th: Volvo World Matchplay
May 24th: BMW PGA Championship
Jun 14th: US Open
Jul 5th: French Open
Jul 12th: Scottish Open
Jul 19th: Open Championship
Aug 2nd: WGC-Bridgestone Invitational
Aug 9th: PGA Championship
Aug 23rd: The Barclays
Aug 30th: Deutsche Bank Championship
Sep 6th: BMW Championship
Sep 20th: Tour Championship
Nov 1st: WGC-HSBC Champions Trophy
Nov 22nd: DP World Tour Championship

Full List of Top 100 Players
1 Luke Donald
2 Rory McIlroy
3 Lee Westwood
4 Martin Kaymer
5 Steve Stricker
6 Webb Simpson
7 Adam Scott
8 Charl Schwartzel
9 Dustin Johnson
10 Jason Day

11 Graeme McDowell
12 Matt Kuchar
13 KJ Choi
14 Nick Watney
15 Brandt Snedeker
16 Phil Mickelson
17 Tiger Woods
18 Sergio Garcia
19 Hunter Mahan
20 Justin Rose

21 Ian Poulter
22 Bill Haas
23 Paul Casey
24 Bubba Watson
25 Alvaro Quiros
26 Simon Dyson
27 Louis Oosthuizen
28 David Toms
29 Keegan Bradley
30 Kim Kyung-Tae

31 Robert Karlsson
32 Thomas Bjorn
33 Bo Van Pelt
34 Martin Laird
35 Rickie Fowler
36 Anders Hansen
37 Jason Dufner
38 Bae-Sang Moon
39 Francesco Molinari
40 John Senden

41 Fredrik Jacobsen
42 Mark Wilson
43 Geoff Ogilvy
44 Zach Johnson
45 Retief Goosen
46 Peter Hanson
47 Miguel-Angel Jimenez
48 Aaron Baddeley
49 Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano
50 Ryo Ishikawa

51 Y E Yang
52 Darren Clarke
53 Jonathan Byrd
54 Gary Woodland
55 Robert Rock
56 Jim Furyk
57 Matteo Manassero
58 Ben Crane
59 Ernie Els
60 Greg Chalmers

61 Ryan Moore
62 Robert Allenby
63 Charles Howell
64 Joost Luiten
65 Rory Sabbatini
66 Tori Taniguchi
67 Alexander Noren
68 Sean O'Hair
69 Vijay Singh
70 Johnson Wagner

71 Nicolas Colsaerts
72 Kevin Na
73 Hiroyuki Fujita
74 George Coetzee
75 Chez Reavie
76 Edoardo Molinari
77 Lucas Glover
78 Paul Lawrie
79 Pablo Larrazabal
80 Ryan Palmer

81 Jaco Van Zyl
82 Thomas Aiken
83 Jeff Overton
84 Yuta Ikeda
85 David Lynn
86 Robert Garrigus
87 Kyle Stanley
88 Harrison Frazar
89 Carl Pettersson
90 Padraig Harrington

91 Brendan Jones
92 Spencer Levin
93 Branden Grace
94 Tetsuji Hiratsuka
95 Gregory Havret
96 Jamie Donaldson
97 D A Points
98 Chris Kirk
99 Camilo Villegas
100 Koumei Oda

Congratulations to Gary Binosh, our inaugural Ten to Follow winner. Gary secured victory after Sunday's Race to Dubai finale despite a late rally from Mark Peters and takes the £300 first prize. Keep an eye out over the coming weeks...

As our competition enters its final week, Paul Krishnamurty discusses the leading contestants' chances and provides an update on the standings......

Gary Binosh stands on the brink of success after another very quiet week for our competition....

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Lincoln Handicap: Eton Forever heads the entries

News / Timeform / 08 February 2012 / Leave a Comment

Eton Forever's early season target will be the Lincoln.

"Eton Forever has wintered very well and, although it is still very early days, he will be on a training schedule to get him to the Lincoln..."

The Roger Varian-trained Eton Forever features among 97 initial entries for the Lincoln at Doncaster on March 31...

The historic handicap is the traditional curtain-raiser to the Flat season and Eton Forever showed a liking for Town Moor when running away with the Spring Mile, a consolation race for the Lincoln, on the same card last year.

The five-year-old, rated 111 by Timeform, went on to run three creditable races in defeat and his trainer is keeping his fingers crossed for further improvement.

"Eton Forever has wintered very well and, although it is still very early days, he will be on a training schedule to get him to the Lincoln, although a lot can happen in the meantime," said Varian.

"He didn't do much wrong last season. He ran two good races at Ascot but we came away from there, particularly after the Royal Hunt Cup where he was travelling very well two furlongs out, thinking that he didn't really get the trip over that stiff mile.

"We think an easy mile like the Doncaster mile or a stiff seven furlongs will be his ideal trip.

"He is rated 103 (BHA rating) now, which is quite a high mark and he hasn't done anything to suggest he should be any higher than that, but time will tell if he progresses further this season.

"He is a very likeable horse, with good ability, and the type of horse who runs well fresh so we will target him at the race as it might be the best time to catch him early on in the season."

The Michael Dods-trained Sweet Lightning took the Lincoln in 2011 and, although injury has kept him out of action since, connections are still hopeful he will be ready to defend his crown.

Tim Jones, racing manager for owner Andrew Tinkler, said: "Sweet Lightning is in Dubai at the moment and is going to have one or maybe two runs out there leading up the Lincoln. We will take it from there.

"The reality is that he is now rated significantly higher than he was last year (8lb higher) so whether he can go there and carry that sort of weight in the Lincoln or not, I don't know.

"Very shortly after last year's success he suffered an injury that he has taken a very long time to recover from, so it is a matter of trying to find out whether or not he has retained his ability, but he appears to be in great form at the moment.

"I would like to think he has more improvement in him. The plan will be for Johnny Murtagh to ride him again and similar ground to last year will be perfect."

Unbeaten champion Black Caviar will face eight rivals in Saturday's $400,000 C.F. Orr Stakes at Caulfield (due off 04:50 GMT) when she goes for her 18th straight victory and her eighth at Group 1 level......

Current Supreme Novices' Hurdle favourite Steps To Freedom remains on course to have a run on the Flat at Dundalk on Friday February 17......

With Saturday's card at Newbury at the mercy of the elements, Betfair have opened a market regarding whether racing will take place......

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US Triple Crown: O'Brien pair among the entries

News / Timeform / 06 February 2012 / Leave a Comment

Wrote in action at the Breeders' Cup.

"The way he [Wrote] powered to the front in the Juvenile Turf left the impression he is likely to improve further..."

A healthy 397 entries have been made for the US Triple Crown, with a smattering of British and Irish-trained horses in the mix, including two from Ballydoyle...

US Champion two year-old colt Hansen (Timeform rated 121), winner of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, and Union Rags (123p), a Grade 1 winner himself and arguably an unlucky runner-up to Hansen at Churchill Downs, are both currently to the fore in the market for the Kentucky Derby, the latter trading as favourite at [9.0] whilst Hansen is at [17.0].

The Aidan O'Brien-trained Wrote, winner of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf, is rated 118p and is currently trading at [19.0] for the Kentucky Derby. The three-year old, by dual Breeders' Cup Turf winner High Chapparal, was progressive through last season, and the way he powered to the front in the Juvenile Turf left the impression that he is likely to improve further.

The Ballydoyle handler has also entered Daddy Long Legs (116), winner of the Royal Lodge at Newmarket last season (Wrote finished third) and last seen when apparently not taking to the surface in the Juvenile Dirt in November.

Godolphin have made four entries, headed by Zip Top (111), who has transferred to the Mahmood al Zarooni yard after finishing runner-up in Doncaster's RP Trophy.

Prince Alzain (98p), trained by Gerard Butler, also features among the entries, as does the Jeremy Noseda-trained Harvard N Yale (97), who finished second to the aforementioned colt when last seen at Wolverhampton.

Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Long Run could face up to 10 rivals as he bids to get off the mark for the season in the Betfair Denman Chase at Newbury......

Paul Nicholls concedes Zarkandar has not been trained with Saturday's Betfair Hurdle as his highest priority - although he could still easily turn out to be good enough to win the prestigious Newbury handicap......

Owner Dai Walters believes Oscar Whisky could head straight for a mouth-watering clash with Bug Buck's in the World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival......

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Grand National: Ballabriggs heads list of 82 entries

Latest News / Timeform / 01 February 2012 / 1 Comments

The Grand National is likely to feature a maximum field of 40.

"As ever, the Irish are very strongly represented..."

As expected, last year's Grand National hero Ballabriggs will return for another crack at the Aintree showpiece on Saturday April 14...

There were no notable absentees for the marathon, which now features record prize money of £975,000, with the likes of Synchronised and Deep Purple likely to join Donald McCain's eleven-year-old near the head of the weights should they take their chance.

Deep Purple's trainer, Evan Williams, has two other strong representatives lined up for the race in Welsh National third Cappa Bleu and State of Play, in the frame in the last three running's of the Grand National.

Cappa Bleu's Chepstow conqueror Le Beau Bai is also amongst the entries, as are Scottish National runner-up Always Right, Rowland Meyrick/Peter Marsh scorer According To Pete.

For a race which either are yet to win, Nicky Henderson has Burton Port, Quantititiveeasing and Shakalakaboomboom engaged, whilst Paul Nicholls relies on Neptune Collonges and Niche Market.

Alan King has a pair of leading fancies in Hold On Julio and West End Rocker, while Calgary Bay, Giles Cross, and Midnight Chase are all intriguing entries.

Mon Mome won the race in 2009 and looks likely to be back again whilst David Pipe, who saddled Comply Or Die to victory a year earlier has entered ante-post favourite Junior, Massini's Maguire and the yet-to-reappear The Package.

As ever, the Irish are very strongly represented (31 entries) with champion trainer Willie Mullins putting 12 into the races headed by last year's sixth The Midnight Club, On His Own and Prince de Beauchene.

Neol Glynn will be expecting Becauseicouldntsee to do better than last year (feel second), while Backstage is back again for Gordon Elliott (also has Chicago Grey and Tharawaat), as is Black Apalachi for Dessie Hughes, the 13-year-old having not seen the track since finishing second to Don't Push It two years ago.

Although last year's runner-up Oscar Time won't be running this time round, Robert Waley-Cohen has entered his hunter chaser Roulez Cool.

Junior currently heads the ante-post market for the race at [16.0], and a full list of prices can be found by clicking HERE.

Henrietta Knight is to give Calgary Bay another tilt at the John Smith's Grand National after the nine-year-old put up a creditable weight-carrying performance in the Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster......

Venetia Williams is on the lookout for a race next month for Mon Mome following his disappointing performance at Haydock last weekend....

Last season's Grand National runner-up Oscar Time has been ruled out for the season with a leg injury......

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Grand National: Ballabriggs heads list of 82 entries

Latest News / Timeform / 01 February 2012 / 1 Comments

The Grand National is likely to feature a maximum field of 40.

"As ever, the Irish are very strongly represented..."

As expected, last year's Grand National hero Ballabriggs will return for another crack at the Aintree showpiece on Saturday April 14...

There were no notable absentees for the marathon, which now features record prize money of £975,000, with the likes of Synchronised and Deep Purple likely to join Donald McCain's eleven-year-old near the head of the weights should they take their chance.

Deep Purple's trainer, Evan Williams, has two other strong representatives lined up for the race in Welsh National third Cappa Bleu and State of Play, in the frame in the last three running's of the Grand National.

Cappa Bleu's Chepstow conqueror Le Beau Bai is also amongst the entries, as are Scottish National runner-up Always Right, Rowland Meyrick/Peter Marsh scorer According To Pete.

For a race which either are yet to win, Nicky Henderson has Burton Port, Quantititiveeasing and Shakalakaboomboom engaged, whilst Paul Nicholls relies on Neptune Collonges and Niche Market.

Alan King has a pair of leading fancies in Hold On Julio and West End Rocker, while Calgary Bay, Giles Cross, and Midnight Chase are all intriguing entries.

Mon Mome won the race in 2009 and looks likely to be back again whilst David Pipe, who saddled Comply Or Die to victory a year earlier has entered ante-post favourite Junior, Massini's Maguire and the yet-to-reappear The Package.

As ever, the Irish are very strongly represented (31 entries) with champion trainer Willie Mullins putting 12 into the races headed by last year's sixth The Midnight Club, On His Own and Prince de Beauchene.

Neol Glynn will be expecting Becauseicouldntsee to do better than last year (feel second), while Backstage is back again for Gordon Elliott (also has Chicago Grey and Tharawaat), as is Black Apalachi for Dessie Hughes, the 13-year-old having not seen the track since finishing second to Don't Push It two years ago.

Although last year's runner-up Oscar Time won't be running this time round, Robert Waley-Cohen has entered his hunter chaser Roulez Cool.

Junior currently heads the ante-post market for the race at [16.0], and a full list of prices can be found by clicking HERE.

Henrietta Knight is to give Calgary Bay another tilt at the John Smith's Grand National after the nine-year-old put up a creditable weight-carrying performance in the Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster......

Venetia Williams is on the lookout for a race next month for Mon Mome following his disappointing performance at Haydock last weekend....

Last season's Grand National runner-up Oscar Time has been ruled out for the season with a leg injury......

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Tingle Creek Betting: Sizing Europe heads entries

News / Timeform / 28 November 2011 / Leave a Comment

Sizing Europe could contest the Tingle Creek on Saturday.

"Two miles around Sandown should be much more up his [Sizing Europe's] street and he is the clear standard setter on his Champion Chase form.

Last season's Queen Mother Champion Chase winner Sizing Europe heads 11 entries for the Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown on Saturday...

Henry de Bromhead's Cheltenham winner Sizing Europe finished a respectable second to Quito de la Roque on his most recent start at Down Royal, when shaping as if the three miles he faced that day was stretching his stamina. Two miles around Sandown should be much more up his street and he is the clear standard setter on his Champion Chase form.

Champion trainer Paul Nicholls has dominated the Tingle Creek in recent seasons, landing each of the last six renewals, and this year he has entered Tataniano and Kauto Stone, although the latter is more likely to head to Ireland for the John Durkan at Punchestown. Tataniano made a winning reappearance at Chepstow in October, delivering a high-class performance which marked him down as a major player in the top two-mile races.

Philip Hobbs, who won the race in 2001 with Flagship Uberalles, has entered Wishfull Thinking. Runner-up in the Jewson at Cheltenham last season before winning at both the Aintree and Punchestown Festivals, Wishfull Thinking was aggressively ridden in the PP Gold Cup at Cheltenham on his return and is much better judged on the pick of his form.

Finian's Rainbow, second to Captain Chris in last season's Arkle before winning at Aintree, is the sole representative for the in-form stable of Nicky Henderson. He is likely to improve in his second season chasing and could be up to mixing it with the best in the division.

Timeform Master Ratings

171 Sizing Europe
167 Tataniano
165 Wishfull Thinking
160p Kauto Stone
157p Finian's Rainbow

Weird Al is set to have a long break before being prepared for a spring campaign following his fine effort at Haydock in the Betfair Chase......

Overturn could have another crack at the Champion Hurdle after making turf history at Newcastle on Saturday......

Current Arkle Chase favourite Peddlers Cross is set to complete the first half of his campaign in a two-mile novice chase at Haydock on December 17 when he will bid to complete a hat-trick over fences......

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Grand National 2011: Paul Nicholls on his ten Aintree entries

Features / Paul Nicholls / 05 February 2011 / Leave a comment Free £25 Bet View Market

How many of the ten will make the final line-up?

Champion trainer Paul Nicholls is yet to win the sport's biggest handicap prize, the Grand National, but this year he has made 10 entries in a bid to end that hoodoo. Here is Paul's assessment of all his current Grand National entries

The Grand National entries were out this week, with the announcement of the weights to follow on February 15.

You can read my comments on Neptune Collonges elsewhere, but I have 10 still in the race, and I would say that I am likely to have about five runners at this stage.

Here is my brief assessment of my other entries:

Gullible Gordon: Only a tentative entry at this stage. Hopefully will run in the Cross Country race at the Festival.

Just Amazing: Will run in Hunter Chases prior to a tilt at the Cheltenham Foxhunters, possibly starting off next Friday at Bangor. But Aintree is a long way off for him.

Meanus Dandy: A definite possible at this stage, though he needs fast ground. Could go to Doncaster on March 5.

Niche Market: Is probably our number one hope at the moment. Had a breathing operation after his fifth in the Hennessy and is back in full work. Will go to Newbury for the race we won last year with Big Fella Thanks on March 5, where the intention is for Ruby to ride him, and may even have a run in a 3m novices' hurdle at Bangor on Friday to sharpen him up.

Ornais: Had his first run after two and years off the track at Wincanton on Thursday, and will improve enormously for the run. I suspect we will find another Hunter Chase in three or four weeks time.

Taranis: Is being aimed at what was the William Hill Chase on the first day of the Cheltenham Festival. It is fair to say that his owner Angela Yeoman is not that keen on going for the race, so a charm offensive may be needed when we travel over together to see her Pride Of Dulcote run at Leopardstown on Sunday!

The Tother One: Was disappointing last time but had earlier run well when fourth in the Hennessy and is the type of horse to go well in the race. Runs next in a Graduation Chase at Exeter next Sunday. Actually, he may be for sale and would make a good National runner for someone.

Tricky Trickster: Is a possible, especially on soft ground. Has had a breathing operation since his last run but could possibly go for something like the Midlands National or Scottish National instead of Aintree, but the ground could be key to where he goes.

What A Friend: Is a very unlikely runner at this stage. His current plans are the Aon, the Gold Cup, then the Martell at Aintree.

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