Connections of Impaire Et Passe insist there were “a lot of positives” to take from his comeback defeat in the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse.
The Willie Mullins-trained five-year-old was one of the star novices of last season, carrying the ‘double green’ colours of owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede to four victories, including Grade One triumphs at the Cheltenham and Punchestown festivals.
With some bookmakers rating him as the biggest threat to Constitution Hill for the Champion Hurdle this term, Impaire Et Passe was odds-on to pick up where he left off on Sunday, but after travelling strongly in the hands of Paul Townend, he was mowed down by the defending champion Teahupoo.
While disappointed to suffer defeat, the owners’ racing manager Anthony Bromley is keeping the faith.
“I was perfectly happy with Impaire’s return, he took a good blow and just got done close home. I think he showed plenty and we’ll look forward to the season ahead,” he said.
“It was his first step outside of novice company and I think he performed with a lot of credit. He’s such a lovely horse and there were a lot of positives to take from the run.”
What route Impaire Et Passe takes to the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham remains undecided, with Mullins also responsible for another major player in the form of State Man.
The latter won the Morgiana Hurdle, the Matheson Hurdle, the Irish Champion Hurdle and the Punchestown Champion Hurdle last term, with his only defeat coming at the hands of Constitution Hill when runner-up at Prestbury Park.
State Man made a successful reappearance when registering back-to-back wins in the Morgiana last month, and Bromley believes there is every chance Impaire Et Passe will meet his stablemate at some stage before Cheltenham in March.
He added: “Whether he comes out again at Christmas or waits for the Dublin Racing Festival (Irish Champion Hurdle), we’ll just wait and see what Willie wants to do.
“I’d imagine he’s going to come back to two miles now because there’s isn’t a two-and-a-half-mile race at Christmas in Ireland – it’s either two miles or three miles.
“Whether or not he does run in the Matheson Hurdle will be Willie’s decision as he’d obviously be taking on State Man, but if he doesn’t take him on at Christmas he’d be taking him on at the Dublin Festival and that will tell us more as to where we are with the horse.
“There aren’t the races in Ireland to split them up, the only time you could was for their reappearance runs as one could go Morgiana and one could go Hatton’s Grace.
“From now on they’ll have to meet and then, come March, there’s another one for us to meet (Constitution Hill)!”
A possible alternative to locking horns with State Man over the festive period would be to make the trip to Britain for an early clash with Constitution Hill in the Christmas Hurdle on Boxing Day, but that appears highly unlikely, with Bromley saying a trip to Kempton was of “no interest at all”.
Sunday’s Peterborough Chase meeting at Huntingdon is under threat due to waterlogging.
While conditions at the Cambridgeshire track have improved since Tuesday, when parts of the home straight were submerged in water, another band of heavy rain is due on Thursday.
As a result clerk of the course Roderick Duncan and his team will inspect the track at 2pm on Thursday to assess conditions.
“It’s a lot better than it was, there is still standing water in a few places, including the start of the Peterborough Chase,” said Duncan.
“The water levels are starting to drop now, but unfortunately looking at the forecast they are just going to get topped up again tomorrow.
“It is not just the rain we’ll get that is the issue, the rain they get in the Northampton area will put us in trouble.
“As we’ve only just called the inspection no discussions have yet taken place about the possibility of rescheduling the Peterborough Chase.”
Prospects for the rest of the week are difficult to gauge at this stage with almost everywhere forecast heavy rain on Thursday.
Market Rasen on Thursday is currently described as soft, heavy in places with some standing water but not on the racing line.
On the same day Wincanton are inspecting at 8am and while the course is currently raceable, a yellow weather warning for rain is in place putting the meeting in grave danger.
Leicester on Thursday had already been abandoned.
Exeter’s meeting on Friday is subject to a 7.30am precautionary inspection on raceday due to the same weather warning affecting Wincanton.
At Sedgefield ahead of Friday the going is already heavy with rain forecast all day Thursday.
Wetherby are scheduled to race on Saturday but the course was waterlogged in places on the back straight on Tuesday. Wednesday is due to be dry but 15mm is forecast on Thursday.
There are currently no reported problems at Sandown, Chepstow or Aintree for their weekend meetings.
Wednesday’s meeting at Haydock was cancelled due to frost but Ludlow staged the first British jumps action since Sunday after passing a 7.30am inspection.
Trinidad and Tobago missed out on a spot in next year's Concacaf Women's Gold preliminary stage, as they went down 0-1 to Mexico in their final Group A fixture in League A of the Gold Cup qualifiers at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, on Tuesday night.
Needing a win to secure second position in the group, the Soca Ladies fought gallantly, but couldn't take what would have been a famous three points off the Mexicans, who had the all-important strike through Cristina Ferral.
With the win, Mexico topped the group with maximum 12 points from four games and join Costa Rica, Panama, United States and Canada, among others in the Group stages of the inaugural Women's Gold Cup. Puerto Rico, with four points, secured a berth in the preliminary stage, while Trinidad and Tobago end with a solitary point in the three-team group.
Despite an expected dominant first half display, Mexico had to wait until the latter stages of the half to break the deadlock, and they did so in style.
Ferral collected a ball out outside the area and smashed a right-footed strike into the top right corner in the 40th minute.
The visitors tried desperately to add to their lead in the second stanza but found Trinidad and Tobago's defenders and goalkeeper Simone Eligon in a defiant mode.
In fact, Eligon produced a diving save to deny Jacqueline Ovalle's 63rd-minute effort, and she again came up big with another series of saves in the final quarter-hour to keep her side in it.
But her efforts were in vain as the twin island failed to get on target, and, as such, Mexico snared all three points.
Saturday’s high-profile Tingle Creek meeting at Sandown will see Racing With Pride given a welcome platform to champion inclusion within the sport for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
In celebrating the 10-year anniversary of the Rainbow Laces campaign, a wide range of activities aimed at encouraging the LGBT+ community’s involvement in racing will be on show at the Esher track.
There will also be a race specifically sponsored with this initiative in mind; the Betfair Supports Racing With Pride Mares’ Handicap Hurdle.
RWP committee member and British Horseracing Authority diversity and inclusion project manager Di Farrell-Thomas said: “There’s lots of activities going on there, which Great British Racing have led on setting up specifically for the Rainbow Laces campaign and celebrations.
“That campaign has been going now for 10 years and in racing, we want to mark that as well and keep up the progress towards LGBT+ inclusion.
“There’ll be plenty going on; in the fan zone, there will be the exerciser with Racing With Pride silks to wear, so people can come along and learn about the organisation.
“From Racing to School, there will be some jockey masterclasses as well. Racing With Pride members have been invited along to enjoy the day, ask questions and talk about LGBT+ inclusion.
“We’ve been very lucky with Betfair allowing the sponsorship races to have rainbow-coloured numbers and also the BHA staff on course will be wearing our badge as well, in support of inclusion.
“So, there will be plenty of stuff going on – with branding across the course, plus merchandise and prizes and so on, with people able to get involved in competitions.”
The Stonewall Rainbow Laces campaign began in 2013 and has been embraced by a number of sporting bodies, notably the Premier League, and Farrell-Thomas is determined to put racing at the forefront as well.
She added: “Other sports have done this for 10 years, particularly people see it in football, but I think it’s become recognisable across other sports as well. It’s pride, it’s inclusion, it’s celebrating diversity and who people are.
“I think we’ve made a lot of progress, for sure. Initially, Sir David Letts, who is the chair of Racing With Pride, did some research to fully understand that picture of how inclusive racing is in terms of LGBT+.
“We’ve definitely made a lot of progress, many organisations certainly engage with the network, which helps it grow.
“We’ve held educational events as well, so people are willing to learn and actually having that experience that our members can now go and feel that confidence, with thanks to all the partners who have been so helpful in welcoming us. Having visible signs of support as well makes a huge difference.”
Farrell-Thomas has welcomed the support given to Racing With Pride from those working within the sport.
She said: “Jockeys have been wearing the Racing With Pride silks and we have had trainers speak explicitly about the wider support and diversity, so attitudes are definitely changing.
“People within the sport are more used to gaining different experiences and I do feel we have made progress within that space.”
Receiving the backing of Betfair this weekend and other organisations within the industry is another big plus – and racing is also feeling the benefit.
“We’re very grateful to them, it’s really supportive to have wider partners looking to link in and see the importance of diversity,” stated Farrell-Thomas.
“It also helps bring new people into racing, in terms of filling the workforce, people buying horses and just getting involved in the breeding of horses, which is an area we need to expand to help grow the sport of racing.
“Any help from wider partners is always grateful.
“There are people who come racing who have never been racing before, so just to have that confidence to come along and experience something that is different is fantastic.
“Some people who have attended have actually become owners on the back of that, so it’s that kind of experience that breeds the next stage of involvement in racing. That side of things is really important to highlight.”
Dominican Republic defeated Bermuda 2-0 to not only end the Concacaf Women's Gold Cup qualifiers on a high, but also cop Group C honours in League B, on Tuesday.
Following the top-of-the-table clash, Dominican Republic ended with 15 points and secured a playoff berth ahead of their Bermudan counterparts, who ended on 13 points. Meanwhile, St Vincent and the Grenadines register a consolation victory of the campaign against Barbados.
St Vincent and the Grenadines vs. Barbados
St Vincent and the Grenadines topped Barbados 4-2 in a lively contest at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.
Ashante Browne scored the first goal for the Lady Heat in the 12th when she pushed a pass over the top past goalkeeper Rhea Holder.
Shanice Stevenson equalized in the 74th when she pounced on a loose ball inside the box with a curling effort into the left netting.
St Vincent regained the lead through an 82nd-minute Samayaa Connell effort, as she rounded defenders and fired home from close range that left Holder flat-footed.
Jessicia Miller extended the advantage for the Lady Heat in the 84th when she connected with Asanteni Charles's weighted free kick.
Charles widened the gap with a goal of her own in the 89th by converting from the penalty spot.
Barbados eventually pulled another back courtesy of Altica Benn's own goal in the 90+3.
Dominican Republic vs. Bermuda
Dominican Republic proved too good for Bermuda on home soil at the Panamericano Stadium in San Cristobal.
Alyssa Oviedo broke free and opened the scoring in the 17th minute with a powerful shot that bounced off the left upright on its way in.
At the half-hour mark, Kathrynn Gonzalez had shot on frame, but her free kick attempt was denied by Bermuda's goalkeeper Zakhari Turner.
Lucia Marte was denied in the 44th, after she picked up the ball off a missed header and released a powerful attempt that was punched clear by Turner.
Mia Asenjo was also denied in the 47th, as Turner was alert for the save early in the second half.
But Asenjo broke through in the 86th with a powerful hit to the left netting to secure the three points.
St Patrick’s were crowned INSPORTS Primary Schools Netball champion of the Kingston and St Andrew division, as they defeated Mona Heights Primary 13-5 in the final at the Stadium Courts on Tuesday.
In the third-placed playoff, Half-Way-Tree got the better of Clan Carthy Primary 5-2 as the top two teams advanced to the all-island tournament. Earlier, St Patrick’s defeated Half-Way-Tree 13-5 and Mona Heights beat Clan Carthy 12-7 in the semi-finals.
St Patrick’s are the defending all-island champion and winning coach Lecia Walters, said it was a difficult game despite the scoreline.
“The girls really had to dig in. The game was a bit challenging, but we pulled through,” said Walters.
“Well onto the all-island finals and we will just go back to training, fix the things that need fixing and prepare ourselves. Every year the girls look forward to this INSPORTS competition as it gives them a chance to showcase their talents,” she added.
Meanwhile, Mona’s coach Maureen Murray said she believed her girls were a little bit nervous.
“You know experience goes a long way so we will just come back for the next one -- the all-island,” Murray noted.
“We didn’t settle until the last quarter and shooting wins games and the girls weren’t getting the ball into the circle so we will have to go and work on that,” she added.
Meanwhile, in St Catherine, played at the Ministry of Education in Old Harbour, Bridgeport and Naggo Head advanced to the final set to be played on Friday. Bridgeport defeated McAuley 13-6 while Naggo Head had a hard-fought 7-5 win over Spring Gardens.
Over in Trelawny, First Hill All-Age beat Kinloss Primary 10-0 and Clark’s Town beat Brampton Primary 11-3. In Portland, Buff Bay Primary whipped Port Antonio Primary 14-1.
There were two games in Manchester as McIntosh Primary beat Hatfield Primary 8-4 and Ramble Primary defeated McIntosh Primary who were playing a rescheduled game 3-1.
In St Elizabeth, Santa Cruz beat Holland 7-4; Carisbrook defeated Barbary Hall 16-11, Black River beat Middle Quarters 10-1 and Brompton whipped Burnt Savannah 19-0. While over in Westmoreland, Savanna-La-Mar Primary trounced Little London 13-0. In Hanover, Pell River edged Kendal Primary 2-1, while Green Island whipped Maryland Primary 25-0.
Aidan O’Brien is looking forward to taking on home favourite Romantic Warrior in Sunday’s Hong Kong Cup.
Luxembourg has not been seen since almost upsetting stablemate Auguste Rodin in the Irish Champion Stakes.
That form looks red-hot, with Auguste Rodin having won the Derby at Epsom and the Irish equivalent before subsequently triumphing in the Breeders’ Cup Turf.
However, in Romantic Warrior, who travelled to Australia to win the Cox Plate recently, he faces a stern rival.
“He was second in the Irish Champion Stakes and then he had a foot bruise, this was a race we had our eye on with him,” said O’Brien.
“It’s going to be great, hopefully we have him right and well and hopefully we’ll be able to gauge those mile-and-a-quarter races all over the world. We’re looking forward to it.
Asked about taking on last year’s winner Romantic Warrior, O’Brien said: “He’s obviously a very good horse, Romantic Warrior, we totally respect every horse and he is very good.
“It’ll be interesting. I think it’ll be a nice race to watch and it’ll be an even-run mile and a quarter I’d imagine. Hopefully he’ll run well.”
The Ballydoyle handler will have four runners on the card with Aesop’s Fables in the Sprint and Cairo in the Mile, while Warm Heart holds very strong claims in the Vase.
She did not win her maiden until May 7 but went on to land the Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot, the Yorkshire Oaks, the Prix Vermeille and went down narrowly at the Breeders’ Cup to Inspiral over 10 furlongs.
Due to the sex allowance, Ryan Moore will get down to 117lb (less than 8st 4lb) to ride her.
“He always got on very well with her and I think he’s looking forward to it,” said O’Brien.
“She has a nice weight pull, she’s well in and is a very consistent filly. It looks like she’s a little bit better maybe at a mile and a half, Rachel (Richardson) rides her out and she’s very happy with her. She looks very well.”
Arnett Gardens Head coach Xavier Gilbert expressed delight about his team’s dominant showing against Vere United, as they gave football enthusiasts a glimpse of the depth of their squad with a 2-0 win in Wray and Nephew Jamaica Premier League action on Monday night.
Rushane Thompson (32nd) and Jaheim Thomas (72nd) were on target for the “Junglists”, who despite being without a few of their regular starters due to red card suspensions, extended their unbeaten run across three games.
The win moved Arnett Gardens up to 14 points in second position, five behind reigning champions and leaders Mount Pleasant, and one ahead of third-placed Tivoli Gardens, who registered a 3-2 win over Treasure Beach in the feature game of the double-header at Stadium East.
This is much to the delight of Gilbert, who was hoping to keep their chasing rivals at bay.
"I am very happy with the way we executed, the table is really tight between second and sixth, so it was important for us to get the three points and inch up the table a little bit. So, it's a welcome one, especially knowing that Tivoli Gardens is also playing and if they win, they are right behind us," Gilbert said in a post-match interview.
"Another important component was the fact that players stepped up, we try to ensure that we have a balanced squad so when persons miss out, others can bridge the gap, so I am really pleased with the guys that came in and got the job done. That's the mentality that we want, it is something we have been trying to do to ensure everybody is competing for their spot and that is exactly what they are doing," he added.
Arnett dominated from the start, as they were showed more enterprise in their build ups, and also produced some colorful plays in patches. But it wasn’t until two minutes after the half-hour mark that the inevitably found the go-ahead goal when Thompson arrived to finish off Shai Smith’s pass across the face of goal.
Warner Brown almost added a second in the latter stages of the first half, but his right-footed effort on the break, was kept out by the outstretched leg of Roje Williams, in goal for Vere United.
Though they continued to boss possession and created numerous half chances, Arnett Gardens had to wait until late in the second half to extend their lead, when poor defending followed by an error by Williams who left his line, allowed Thomas to finish into an empty net from close range, after Warner Brown's effort came back off the crossbar.
Vere United tried to play and created a few half chances of their own but couldn't make them count, and succumbed to their third defeat of the season, which left them eighth in the standing on eight points.
Vere United's assistant coach Jermaine Douglas was left disappointed.
"We never got off the mark in terms of attack and the second goal that we conceded, we were just getting into the game, we lapsed and got caught on the transition and it was really unfortunate that we conceded at that time. But we weren't productive in the final third and at the end of the day if you're not scoring goals or not being dangerous in front of goal, we can't win games, so we have some mental work to do," Douglas noted.
Matchweek Eight results
Molynes United 0, Lime Hall 0
Montego Bay United 3, Portmore United 2
Mount Pleasant 0, Waterhouse 0
Arnett Gardens 2, Vere United 0
Tivoli Gardens 3, Treasure Beach 2
Harbour View vs Dunbeholden (postponed)
Humble Lion vs Cavalier (postponed)
In a heart-stopping finale at the FESCO Football Field along Spanish Town Road, Real City emerged as the champions of the Pocket Rocket Foundation Six-A-Side Football Competition, clinching victory with a 1-0 win over a resilient Basement team.
The Waterhouse-based football tournament made its return on October 17 after a three-year absence and saw 16 teams competing for the $280,000 winning pot and other prizes.
“I am very pleased with how the competition turned out,” said Pocket Rocket Foundation Founder, Olympian Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce. “We are celebrating our 10th anniversary as a foundation and this competition has been a staple for many years. The community have really come together over the past several weeks to cheer on and support their favourite teams, which is exactly what we wanted to see.”
Real City coach, Lennoy Noble said, despite having to players out with groin injuries, his team played a wonderful game. “It was a good day. Kudos to the basement football team, they put up a good fight, but never-the-less we came out victorious. I just want to say thanks to the team for their excellent work and the best moving forward and also give thanks to Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce for putting this competition together,” Noble said.
Real City's elation was evident. "This win means everything to us," said team captain Ricardo Schafe. "The competition was fierce, and Basement gave us a run for our money, but our determination and teamwork brought us through. We're ecstatic."
The award ceremony saw the top three teams, Real City, Basement and Black Strikers walking away with $280,000, $180,000 and $80,000 respectively. Team Eurotrend added a touch of style to the competition, bagging the Best Dressed Team award and a cash prize of $15,000.
Individual excellence was acknowledged with the Digicel Sponsored Best Defender and Most Valuable Player going to Real City’s Oraine Blackwood and Ackeem Green, respectively.
"Defense is often overlooked, so this award is an honor. It's a testament to the hard work we put in as a team," Green said. Blackwood agreed, saying, "Individual awards are great, but it's the team effort that got us here. This is a victory for all of Real City."
Teona, Via Sistina and 1000 Guineas heroine Cachet were among the star attractions as several top-class racing and broodmare prospects were sold for seven figures on day two of the December Mares Sale in Newmarket.
The sales ring was unsurprisingly buzzing as the second round of the ‘Sceptre Sessions’ got under way at Tattersalls, with Cheveley Park Stakes winner Lezoo and Qipco Champions Day victor Poptronic also going under the hammer in front of a packed crowd.
Teona won the Prix Vermeille in 2021 and rounded off her career by finishing third behind Yibir in that year’s Breeders’ Cup Turf.
Not only does the five-year-old possess a blue-blooded pedigree, being a daughter of Sea The Stars out of another Group One-winning mare for trainer Roger Varian in Ambivalent, but she is also in foal to the great Frankel, so it was no surprise she attracted huge interest in the auction.
Following a protracted battle, Teona eventually secured top lot status as she was knocked down to Frankel’s owner-breeders Juddmonte for 4.5million guineas.
“She is the best mare in the sale, she is a Group One winner out of a Group One winner, and they are very difficult to find,” said Juddmonte’s Simon Mockridge.
“She is a beautiful addition for us, she has a great pedigree. She is by Sea The Stars, who has made a fantastic start as a broodmare sire and has had five Group One winners – she will fit in very well.
“She is an outcross to Frankel, which is ideal and what we are looking for. And, yes, she will be going back to Frankel!”
When asked if the final price was expected, he told Tattersalls: “You always have to stretch when you want to buy the best, it is competitive. It was very strong bidding for her, I did think that around about 3.5 to 4million (might get her).
“You have to make that extra stretch – that is something we have learnt, it is all very well trying to value them before but when you come to the moment you have to be a little stronger.”
Having claimed Group One honours in the Pretty Polly Stakes in Ireland earlier this year, Via Sistina looked set to strike gold in the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot in October, only to be mowed down late by King Of Steel under an inspired Frankie Dettori.
The four-year-old, who cost owner Stephen Hillen just 5,000 guineas as a yearling, was sold for 2.7million guineas to Evergreen Equine.
Hillen said: “It was amazing to watch! It has been tremendous from the day one. She was with Jamie Magee to be broken her in and he has a lot of good stock through his hands, he rang me in February and said she is the biggest, but she gets up the gallop better than all anything else!
“It has been a dream! I thought that she’d bring in 2million guineas plus, that cross is sensational. She was Group One winner, but arguably she ran great in the Champion Stakes and she was still improving all the time. It is nice now to see her almost certainly be retired sound and go to stud.
“I was fine watching her sell – I thought that if we don’t get what we want for her, we can still race her so it was a celebration either way.”
Zoustar filly Lezoo, trained by Ralph Beckett, was bought for 2.2million guineas after an online bid from Narvick International, who out-battled two separate parties from Japan.
Poptronic, last seen springing a surprise in the Qipco British Champions Fillies And Mares Stakes for Karl Burke, made 1.4million, while Tom Clover’s Matron Stakes runner-up Rogue Millennium made 1.65million and Ed Walker’s talented mare Primo Bacio, in foal to Frankel, went for 1.1million.
Kevin Sinclair was the star of day one of the deciding third unofficial “Test” between the West Indies “A” and South Africa “A” at the Manguang Oval in Bloemfontein on Tuesday.
South Africa “A” were able to post 274 in 67.4 overs after winning the toss. Khaya Zondo led the way with a well-compiled 70 off 114 balls including seven fours and two sixes.
Captain Neil Brand also showed some good form with a 93-ball 62 while Zubayr Hamza made 30.
Sinclair was excellent with the ball, picking up 5-44 off 14.4 overs, already his fourth five-wicket haul of his 20-match first-class career.
Shamar Joseph and Shermon Lewis provided good support with 3-65 from 15 overs and 2-68 from 13 overs, respectively.
The West Indians ended the day 17-1 off eight overs, trailing by 257. Tagenarine Chanderpaul was the batsman dismissed for 3. Zachary McCaskie (12) and Kirk McKenzie (2) are the batsmen at the crease.
The teams are tied at 1-1 in the series. West Indies “A” won the first game by one wicket and South Africa “A” won the second by 232 runs.
Full Scores:
South Africa “A” 274 off 67.4 overs (Khaya Zondo 70, Neil Brand 62, Zubayr Hamza 30, Kevin Sinclair 5-44, Shamar Joseph 3-65, Shermon Lewis 2-68)
West Indies “A” 17-1 off 8 overs
Light Speed can be expected to go on to bigger and better things judged on an all-the-way victory on his handicap debut at Lingfield.
Previously successful in maiden and novice company at Newcastle and Wolverhampton respectively, the Mehmas colt was an 8-11 favourite to complete his hat-trick in the hands of Oisin Murphy.
Andrew Balding’s charge was soon bowling along in front in the BetUK. Home Of The Acca-Fenwa Handicap and was not hard pressed to score by two and a quarter lengths from Enough Already.
Murphy told Sky Sports Racing: “He broke quite well and I didn’t want us to walk around and fight him, so I was happy to let him tip away in front.
“He’s a lovely model. On pedigree there are mixed signals as to what trip he’ll want, being by Mehmas, but he’s out of a Sadler’s Wells mare and he stays 10 furlongs quite well.”
There was a degree of poignancy to the success as Light Speed was a final lead-up for Kingsclere stalwart Geoff Rigby, who is now set to enjoy his retirement.
“I’ve been at Kingsclere for 55 years – I started there in 1978 when I was 15 and I’m 70 now,” said Rigby.
“It’s a lovely place to work and the highlight was looking after Mrs Penny. She won the Cheveley Park, the Cherry Hinton and the Lowther Stakes, then she won the French Oaks and the Prix Vermeille and was second in the King George.”
Balding said: “Geoff’s been at Kingsclere since 1978 and he’s been a star. He lives in the village and we’ll be seeing plenty of him, I’d hope.
“The horse read the script, which is great.”
Light Speed was a second winner on the card for Balding and Murphy following the earlier success of the previously unraced See That Storm (11-10 favourite) in division one of the Boost Your Acca At BetMGM/EBF Restricted Maiden Stakes.
Dashing Darcey (10-11 favourite) impressed in division two for Roger Varian and David Egan.
“He ran a very nice race last time at Newcastle (finished second), I was drawn very low and he didn’t jump overly quick. The horse that won that day had track position in a slowly-run race and quickened away from us, but we were staying on all the way to the line,” said Egan.
“I was slightly expecting him to do the same, sort of go through the gears, but I thought he quickened up quite nicely to put the race to bed very quickly. He’s improving all the time.”
Hot on the heels of Sir Alex Ferguson tasting success with Spirit Dancer, Harry Redknapp and Michael Owen are now setting their sights on winning in Bahrain.
Former Manchester United manager Ferguson won the biggest race Bahrain has to offer in the International Trophy with a horse he also bred as the Richard Fahey-trained gelding streaked to glory.
Now Redknapp is targeting victory in the Bahrain Turf Series with Moktassab, trained by Phil McEntee, while Owen is sending over the Hugo Palmer-trained Box To Box.
Redknapp, who has been an owner for many years, said: “I am really looking forward to Moktasaab running in Bahrain. The horse has had a nice break since his last run in August and I think, like a lot of us, he will appreciate a bit of winter sunshine. Phil is very pleased with him and we hope he is back on a winning mark, having dropped a few pounds this year.
“I had a runner (Wonder Elzaam) in the first Bahrain Turf Series back in 2021, which was a lot of fun, and we will be heading out to Bahrain during the series to watch Moktasaab run.”
Owen is one of the owners of Box To Box, who finished second to Spirit Dancer at York in the summer.
“Box To Box arrives off the back of a really good season in England and he has travelled well to Bahrain,” said Palmer, ahead of the series, which starts on Friday.
“Physically the horse thrived in Bahrain last year, but he did his chances no good by being slowly away on a couple of occasions, which is unlike him. If he jumps well, then he has a lot in his favour.
“He is set to meet a couple of his former stable companions, Mr McCann and Chronograph, both of whom are now based in Bahrain, so it will be interesting to see how he gets on against them.”
Roman Dragon is another for Owen and Palmer to be making the journey.
Palmer said: “To date, all five of Roman Dragon’s wins have come around Chester’s tight turns, so the straight 1000m will be a slightly different challenge for him, but he will love the fast ground and he is fit and ready to run well. His owners were keen to experience the Bahrain Turf Series having heard good things about it.”
Harry Fry views a switch to Sandown as a major positive for Love Envoi ahead of the rescheduled Fighting Fifth Hurdle on Saturday.
The seven-year-old was all set to lock horns with the brilliant Constitution Hill in the Grade One contest at Newcastle last weekend, only for the Gosforth Park fixture to be abandoned due to a combination of snow and frost.
The British Horseracing Authority moved swiftly to save the recognised Champion Hurdle trial, however, and it will now take place on familiar territory for Fry’s star mare.
“All being well, the plan is to run,” the Dorset-based trainer confirmed.
“Obviously, it was disappointing for Newcastle to lose their fixture on Saturday, but we’re pleased the race was able to be rescued and rescheduled for this weekend on a track that suits us well.
“She’s three from three at the course and won at this meeting last year in the handicap hurdle. There’ll be more of an emphasis on stamina over two miles round Sandown than there would have been at Newcastle, so from our point of view, we’re very happy.”
Nicky Henderson has suggested he may not only saddle Constitution Hill at Sandown, but that he could be joined by esteemed stablemate Shishkin, who he feels is in desperate need of a prep run ahead of an intended tilt at the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day.
Fry, though, is focussing on his own horse, adding: “Conditions shouldn’t be a problem, it’s an ideal starting point for her campaign and we’re looking forward to getting her season under way.
“We’ll just have to wait to see who else lines up. If Constitution Hill does run, it goes without saying he sets a very high standard, but you’ve got to be in it to win it.”
Fry is also set to be represented in the Betfair Tingle Creek Chase on Saturday’s card, with Boothill looking likely to take his chance in the Grade One feature.
The eight-year-old is two from two this season, having plundered a couple of valuable handicaps at Ascot, and his trainer is keen to step him up in class earlier than originally planned.
He said: “We’re leaning towards running. Initially, after winning the Hurst Park for the second year running, I thought we’d wait for the Clarence House (in January), but he’s bounced out of that race and is in great order with himself.
“It’s six weeks on Saturday until the Clarence House and with the weather at the moment, we’re having cancellations here, there and everywhere. You could wait all that time and you just never know.
“We just felt we’d keep our options open and we’ll make a final decision on Thursday morning, but at the moment, it’s probably more likely than not that we’ll let him take his chance.”
SportsMax is the Caribbean sports channel of choice, committed to providing sporting content of the highest quality to the Caribbean, delivered by a team of highly innovative, passionate and qualified professionals.
(876) 619-7629
digitalmedia@sportsmax.tv
