logo
Bethell hoping Regional outlook is favourable in Hackwood Stakes

Bethell hoping Regional outlook is favourable in Hackwood Stakes

The seven-year-old has hardly run a bad race across the last three seasons, and has a Group One win in the Haydock Sprint Cup to his name alongside multiple placings in the upper echelons of the division.
This year he has appeared to be as good as ever, going down by less than a length when third in the Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan in April and then coming home third again in the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot.
'He's grand, he's in really good nick,' said Bethell.
'We're really looking forward to it, I just hope the rain doesn't materialise.
'I've been very pleased with him since Ascot, he worked really well on Tuesday.
'Hopefully he goes there with a big chance, but it's not an easy Group race at all and there are some good horses in there.
'He's ultra consistent for a sprinter, he always turns up and he's a legend for us.
'I'm very fortunate to be able to train a horse like him so early on in my career, it's an absolute pleasure.'
Karl Burke's Elite Status won the contest last term as Regional finished fourth, and the trainer is hoping cheekpieces can bring about a return to the same level of form.
He said: 'We're hoping for a big run, we put the sheepskins on him a couple of weeks ago and he worked very well in them – he seems in good form.
'He has been a little bit disappointing so we've lowered our sights a little bit to try to get him going again.
'The ground was a bit against him at York and he probably got tired, but Ascot was a little bit a non-event for him really.
'I wouldn't want too much rain for him, as long as it's good ground that'll be fine.'
Saffie Osborne takes the ride on the Chipchase Stakes winner Diligent Harry, who carries a penalty for that Group Three triumph and is aiming for a first success on turf.
'It's a really good race and he's obviously got to carry the penalty,' Osborne told Sky Sports Racing.
'He's been absolutely flying at home, he feels great and we're slightly on weather watch – hopefully there's not too much rain.
'He's a seriously classy horse and he's shown what he can do at Group One level with some really good runs in defeat. Hopefully he can go on to bigger and better things this year.'
As Diligent Harry won the Chipchase, James Fanshawe's Kind Of Blue could only come home in ninth place, another below-par effort after his luckless run in the Prix du Gros-Chene.
On the latter occasion he had a run-in with the stalls, and connections are hoping he can get back on track after finishing third in this last year and going on to strike at Group One level on Champions Day at Ascot.
Richard Brown, racing manager to owner Wathnan Racing, said: 'His first start this year was a non-event, he reared as the stalls opened and missed the break by six or eight lengths.
'We then took him to Newcastle on the all-weather and we were all very disappointed and left scratching our heads.
'His work has been good since and everyone seems happy with him, hopefully getting him back on turf will see him get back to somewhere near his best.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

McCreery has high hopes this season for Vespertilio
McCreery has high hopes this season for Vespertilio

South Wales Guardian

time5 hours ago

  • South Wales Guardian

McCreery has high hopes this season for Vespertilio

The filly was an intended runner in the Group Two at the Curragh on Sunday, but when the going description was changed to good to yielding trainer Willie McCreery opted to save her for more suitable ground. The Phoenix Sprint Stakes is now on the agenda, over six furlongs at Group Three level at the Curragh, with the Sprint Cup at Haydock a longer-term aim later in the year. 'It was just that the ground changed and I thought that might take the sting out of her sprint,' McCreery said of Vespertilio's withdrawal. 'We'd said we'd leave it as there are a couple of other races for her. She's entered in the Phoenix Sprint Stakes at the Curragh, we could go for that, and then probably we'd have a look at the Haydock Sprint Cup. 'She's come out this year a lot stronger and a lot more like a sprinter I think, hopefully I'm correct. 'We've got to give her another go at Group One level at one stage, I think sprinting is her game and I think she's very, very fast.' McCreery has another quality filly in Jancis, who is entered in the Valiant Stakes at Ascot on Saturday and will travel across to Berkshire if the going allows. It is a step back to a mile for the chestnut, who was last seen finishing fifth in the Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh and prior to that was also fifth in the one-mile Lanwades Stud Stakes at the same track. 'She's entered in the Valiant on Saturday at Ascot over the mile,' said McCreery. 'We'll see what the ground is like for her, she needs quick ground so hopefully we'll get it and we'll be able to travel over for Saturday. 'I have been trying to stretch her out to a mile and two furlongs to give her more options, but I think a faster trip suits her better so we'll go back to the mile now.'

Derek Thompson signs off at Wolverhampton
Derek Thompson signs off at Wolverhampton

North Wales Chronicle

time8 hours ago

  • North Wales Chronicle

Derek Thompson signs off at Wolverhampton

Thompson announced late last year he would retire from commentating in 2025 and subsequently identified Tuesday night's six-race fixture at Dunstall Park as his last ahead of his upcoming 75th birthday. With well wishers aplenty on track, 'Tommo' called home the first three winners on the card, his final race being the appropriately named It's A Photo – Big Fella EBF Restricted Maiden Fillies' Stakes. Sadly no photo but it's an exemplary final race call from @tommoracing! 👏 Best of luck in your retirement big fella! 🙌 — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) July 22, 2025 The Marco Botti-trained Space Bear (100-30) was a decisive two-length winner in the hands of Luke Morris, but that did not stop Thompson having some fun inside the final furlong, as he said: 'Space Bear now takes it up, from Jowalla, coming from a long way back is Lyra Lea, but it's Space Bear whose going to win the It's A Photo – Big Fella European Breeders Fund Maiden Stakes!' Ian Bartlett commentated on the final three races, but Thompson remained in the thick of the action and was on hand to present the connections of Ballsgrove Boy with their winner's prize following his success in the concluding Thanks For Everything Tommo – Happy Retirement Handicap. Thompson told Sky Sports Racing: 'It has been absolutely incredible, I'm nearly shedding a tear. It's a ridiculous as I'm a tough cookie, but this is marvellous tonight. 'I've enjoyed it and people have come from all over to be here tonight. Normally after the last race people are rushing off to their cars but we'd had thousands here, it's superb.' On his final call, he added: 'I'll never ever forget it. I'm quite moved and it's difficult to concentrate as I'm not working any more – I'm talking into the microphone, but I'm not holding it.' Thompson remains one of the most recognisable figures in the racing industry having spent time commentating on-course and for BBC radio, while also presenting for ITV, Channel 4, At The Races and Sky Sports Racing during a nearly 60-year broadcasting career. He was even part of a three-strong party alongside Lord Oaksey and The Sun's Peter Campling that attempted to negotiate the release of Shergar after the 1981 Derby winner was kidnapped. And while his long spell commentating in Britain has come to an end, Thompson has no intention of hanging up his microphone entirely, with several racecourses continuing to use him as a raceday presenter, while he will also continue his association with racing in Jersey. He said: 'I've got Ascot at lunchtime on Friday and then York on Friday evening, Ascot on Saturday and then go to Jersey on Saturday night/Sunday. 'I am going to settle down a bit and enjoy. I am going to miss the commentary because the commentary box is the best view and the best seat in the house.' Speaking to Sky Sports Racing presenter Simon Mapletoft, Thompson signed off perfectly with: 'I've had a great career. Thanks big fella and by the way, it's a photo!'

Derek Thompson signs off at Wolverhampton
Derek Thompson signs off at Wolverhampton

Leader Live

time8 hours ago

  • Leader Live

Derek Thompson signs off at Wolverhampton

Thompson announced late last year he would retire from commentating in 2025 and subsequently identified Tuesday night's six-race fixture at Dunstall Park as his last ahead of his upcoming 75th birthday. With well wishers aplenty on track, 'Tommo' called home the first three winners on the card, his final race being the appropriately named It's A Photo – Big Fella EBF Restricted Maiden Fillies' Stakes. Sadly no photo but it's an exemplary final race call from @tommoracing! 👏 Best of luck in your retirement big fella! 🙌 — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) July 22, 2025 The Marco Botti-trained Space Bear (100-30) was a decisive two-length winner in the hands of Luke Morris, but that did not stop Thompson having some fun inside the final furlong, as he said: 'Space Bear now takes it up, from Jowalla, coming from a long way back is Lyra Lea, but it's Space Bear whose going to win the It's A Photo – Big Fella European Breeders Fund Maiden Stakes!' Ian Bartlett commentated on the final three races, but Thompson remained in the thick of the action and was on hand to present the connections of Ballsgrove Boy with their winner's prize following his success in the concluding Thanks For Everything Tommo – Happy Retirement Handicap. Thompson told Sky Sports Racing: 'It has been absolutely incredible, I'm nearly shedding a tear. It's a ridiculous as I'm a tough cookie, but this is marvellous tonight. 'I've enjoyed it and people have come from all over to be here tonight. Normally after the last race people are rushing off to their cars but we'd had thousands here, it's superb.' On his final call, he added: 'I'll never ever forget it. I'm quite moved and it's difficult to concentrate as I'm not working any more – I'm talking into the microphone, but I'm not holding it.' Thompson remains one of the most recognisable figures in the racing industry having spent time commentating on-course and for BBC radio, while also presenting for ITV, Channel 4, At The Races and Sky Sports Racing during a nearly 60-year broadcasting career. He was even part of a three-strong party alongside Lord Oaksey and The Sun's Peter Campling that attempted to negotiate the release of Shergar after the 1981 Derby winner was kidnapped. And while his long spell commentating in Britain has come to an end, Thompson has no intention of hanging up his microphone entirely, with several racecourses continuing to use him as a raceday presenter, while he will also continue his association with racing in Jersey. He said: 'I've got Ascot at lunchtime on Friday and then York on Friday evening, Ascot on Saturday and then go to Jersey on Saturday night/Sunday. 'I am going to settle down a bit and enjoy. I am going to miss the commentary because the commentary box is the best view and the best seat in the house.' Speaking to Sky Sports Racing presenter Simon Mapletoft, Thompson signed off perfectly with: 'I've had a great career. Thanks big fella and by the way, it's a photo!'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store