Horses for Sale

   Tuxedo Junction (GB) 


Exciting dual purpose prospect,
click here for details!

 

    Fighter Allen (FR)  


Exciting new horse with proven form, 
click here for details!

 

 

Following the abandonment of Ascot this afternoon due to the prolonged heavy rain, there are four meetings taking place this afternoon.  That leaves us with flat action from Newmarket, Redcar and Wolverhampton, whilst there is a jumps fixture from Fontwell.  David has two runners at Fontwell today; Miss Tynte and Bumpy Johnson.  Following two days of persistent rain (26mm and 28mm) the ground is going to be extremely testing.  Miss Tynte (pictured above) contests the 2m3f handicap hurdle at 3.29pm and she had a successful time of it last season, winning twice at 2m4f and 3m1f but is 4lbs higher than her last winning mark as a consequence.  The trip looks like a minimum for her, although her abundant stamina could certainly help today.  She looks likely to be a big price but is capable of outrunning her odds under David Noonan.

Our other runner is Bumpy Johnson who contests the closing bumper at 5.40pm.  This is the last race of the two day meeting and I would imagine that the ground is going to be really testing by then.  Bumpy Johnson fell on his only previous start in a soft ground Irish point-to-point but had shown plenty of ability until that stage.  He goes nicely at home and should go well under Tom Scudamore.

We didn't hit the scoresheet yesterday with a second, third and fourth to show for our four runners.  Buster Edwards ran another good race in the staying handicap chase, finishing a close runner-up.  He looks like a winner waiting to happen over fences.  First Lord de Cuet posted a promising performance on his seasonal debut, just getting tired and running about a bit in the closing stages on his first start since March.  Sexy Lot was fourth on her handicap debut and looks capable of winning over timber.

We are pleased to bring you the second instalment of our horses to follow videos today.  By clicking on the image below you will be able to see our interview with head lad Oliver Defew.  Oliver hit a home run with his selection last year as he chose Kepagge as his horse to follow (unbeaten in three starts last term).  I wonder if he can do it again?  Watch the video to find out his selection for the season ahead...

Today is the first day of the Arc meeting from Longchamp and the ground is already heavy.  Goodness knows what it will be like tomorrow.  Let's hope that Enable is able to handle conditions well enough that she has every chance of landing a historic third victory in the big race.  Having dismissed the claims of Stradivarius after he was beaten in France by Anthony Van Dyke a few weeks ago, it would be ironic if the one thing that had people worried ahead of his latest Ascot Gold Cup success (soft ground) was the thing that helped him win an Arc.  It is sure to be a stamina sapping race and he certainly won't be found wanting for that.

There could yet be doubt over the participation of some high profile horses after several tests by France Galop revealed the presence of Zilpaterol.  Zilpaterol is an unlicensed product over here, although it is legal in America.  The trainers have done nothing wrong, but the presence of the substance is thought to have been due to batches of Gain horse feed becoming contaminated.  Gain is a feed that is used by widely by many trainers - the results are due this afternoon so the shape of tomorrow's racing could yet look very different.

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There was big news in Formula One yesterday when Honda announced that they would be quitting the sport at the end of next season.  Honda currently supply engines to the Red Bull Racing and Alpha Tauri teams and have enjoyed a successful stint with five victories over the last two seasons following three uncompetitive years with McLaren.  They are said to be following a more progressive route, focussing more on electrical energy and hybrid motors.

The news means that due to the regulations, Renault may be forced to provide engines for these teams which leaves Red Bull in a particularly awkward position following their public falling-out a few years ago.  Mercedes are unlikely partners for Red Bull as they would no doubt give their works team far too much to think about, whilst the Ferrari power unit has been thoroughly uncompetitive since rule clarifications last season.  Things could be about to get interesting again!

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The other day I bought a thesaurus, but when I got home and opened it, all the pages were blank…

I have no words to describe how angry I am.

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