Latest news with #NationalHunt'Novices'Hurdle
North Wales Chronicle
23-04-2025
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Perth double sees Mullins make inroads into title lead of Skelton
Skelton led the way to the tune of £57,777 prior to the start of play, but Mullins was the first to strike a significant blow in Scotland, as Kiss Will and Paul Townend picked up £22,780 with victory in the British EBF Gold Castle 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle. Skelton did saddle the runner-up Royal Infantry to lessen the blow, but Mullins then pocketed another £25,889 in total after the Townend-ridden Fun Fun Fun and Paggane provided the master of Closutton with a one-two in the Quilter Cheviot Fair Maid Of Perth Mares' Chase. Townend told Racing TV: 'It (Perth) is a brilliant place to come, it's a great atmosphere and lovely weather and they've done an incredible job with the ground. I couldn't give them enough plaudits for that, it's beautiful out there. 'I don't know what happened to Kiss Will in Cheltenham, but he travelled well throughout the race today and I hope he can have a bright future. 'Fun Fun Fun made harder work of it than I was hoping, but there was plenty in the tank when I needed it and she's done an important job today.' On the title race, he added: 'I'll leave someone else to figure the maths!' While Mullins was the big winner on the day, Skelton did not finish the afternoon empty handed, with Etalon's triumph in the Phil Nelson Capercaillie Handicap Chase at Perth earning him £8,713 and the subsequent success of Jeffery's Cross in the hunter chase at Ludlow worth a further £3,388. Madajovy also placed for Skelton in the bumper at Ludlow, while his last runner of the day, Jo's Rainbow at Taunton's evening meeting, was fifth to add £272 to the pot. Etalon's rider Harry Skelton said: 'He's been difficult to get right at home, but he's brought it all together hopefully when needed. I'd say we need every penny we can get!' Mullins' sole runner on Thursday is Magic McColgan at Perth, while in contrast Skelton sends out a formidable team of 18 across meetings at Perth, Warwick and Bangor. Mullins is not represented at all in Britain on Friday, with Skelton declaring two runners at Perth and two at Chepstow, potentially giving him the opportunity to further add to his total ahead of what promises to be an enthralling final day of the season at Sandown on Saturday. Following collaboration between the British Horseracing Authority and Sandown, the high-profile meeting will begin 30 minutes earlier than originally scheduled to ensure ITV viewers can see the final six races on the card and therefore the conclusion of the trainers' championship. Sandown's clerk of the course Andrew Cooper said: 'All of us at Sandown Park are excited about bringing the curtain down on what has been a fantastic season and showcasing its thrilling conclusion to fans on course and at home.'
RTÉ News
23-04-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Perth double sees Mullins narrow trainers' title gap on Skelton
Willie Mullins trails Dan Skelton by £24,289 in the trainers' title race after a Listed double saw the reigning champion significantly erode the deficit at Perth on Wednesday. Skelton led the way to the tune of £57,777 prior to the start of play, but Mullins was the first to strike a significant blow in Scotland, as Kiss Will and Paul Townend picked up £22,780 with victory in the British EBF Gold Castle 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle. Skelton did saddle the runner-up Royal Infantry to lessen the blow, but Mullins then pocketed another £25,889 in total after the Townend-ridden Fun Fun Fun and Paggane provided the master of Closutton with a one-two in the Quilter Cheviot Fair Maid Of Perth Mares' Chase. Townend said: "It (Perth) is a brilliant place to come, it's a great atmosphere and lovely weather and they've done an incredible job with the ground. I couldn't give them enough plaudits for that, it's beautiful out there. "I don't know what happened to Kiss Will in Cheltenham, but he travelled well throughout the race today and I hope he can have a bright future. "Fun Fun Fun made harder work of it than I was hoping, but there was plenty in the tank when I needed it and she's done an important job today." On the title race, he added: "I'll leave someone else to figure the maths!" While Mullins was the big winner on the day, Skelton did not finish the afternoon empty handed, with Etalon's triumph in the Phil Nelson Capercaillie Handicap Chase at Perth earning him £8,713 and the subsequent success of Jeffery's Cross in the hunter chase at Ludlow worth a further £3,388. Madajovy also placed for Skelton – whose last runner of the day, Jo's Rainbow, was at Taunton's evening meeting – in the bumper at Ludlow. Etalon's rider Harry Skelton said: "He's been difficult to get right at home, but he's brought it all together hopefully when needed. I'd say we need every penny we can get!" Mullins' sole runner on Thursday is Magic McColgan at Perth, while in contrast Skelton sends out a formidable team of 18 across meetings at Perth, Warwick and Bangor. Mullins is not represented at all in Britain on Friday, with Skelton declaring two runners at Perth and two at Chepstow, potentially giving him the opportunity to further add to his total ahead of what promises to be an enthralling final day of the season at Sandown on Saturday. Following collaboration between the British Horseracing Authority and Sandown, the high-profile meeting will begin 30 minutes earlier than originally scheduled to ensure ITV viewers can see the final six races on the card and therefore the conclusion of the trainers' championship. Sandown's clerk of the course Andrew Cooper said: "All of us at Sandown Park are excited about bringing the curtain down on what has been a fantastic season and showcasing its thrilling conclusion to fans on course and at home."
Telegraph
21-02-2025
- Sport
- Telegraph
Horse racing tips – Friday February 21: Exeter and Warwick
Our betting expert has made three selections from today's jump meetings at Warwick (1.10-4.40pm) and Exeter (2.00-5.05), where it's Devon National day. Friday's line-up is completed by a pair of all-weather evening Flat fixtures at Southwell (4.15-8.15) and Dundalk (5.00-8.30), heavy rain having forced the abandonment of the other scheduled National Hunt meeting at Punchestown in Ireland. Calum Weill's selections: Odds provided by Betfair and correct at the time of writing. If you already have a Betfair account and are looking for a new bookmaker to use for this week's racing, check out our list of the best free bets. 2.10 Warwick – EBF 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (2m 3f) PROPHESEA made an impressive start to his career with victories in point-to-point and National Hunt Flat races for his former trainer Leslie Jefford. After moving to Chris Down's yard in October, he caught the eye over hurdles when storming home to finish third over 2m 3½f at Chepstow in November and followed that up with a win over 2m 4f at Wincanton, both those runs on good to soft ground. Although he looked as though he would relish the step up to three miles at Newbury on his most recent run he was found out on really soft ground, so today's drop to 2m 3f should be in his favour. 3.30 Exeter – Nick Ansell Devon National Handicap Chase (3m 6½f) The Devon National takes centre stage on today's card and JACKS PARROT gets the vote over the marathon trip. He was a disappointing favourite last time out at Newcastle when finishing fourth, but his second in the Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase at Haydock just before Christmas reads well. That day he finished in front of Famous Bridge who won the Grand National trial at the same course on Saturday. 3.40 Warwick – JCB Hydradig Handicap Hurdle (2m 3f) TOMMIE GUN can atone for a disappointing run when he was sent off favourite last time out over at 1m 7½f at Leicester. That day he was backed heavily in the market and went off at 15/8 favourite but pulled up before the last. It was reported he had taken a knock in running and he clearly struggled with the heavy going. The form of his Chepstow fourth in December has been well advertised with the second, third, fifth and eighth all winning since, suggesting he is worth taking a chance on again today.
