Talking Horses: handicapper explains 'impossible task' set for Tiger Roll

The dual Grand National winner runs at Cheltenham on Friday, carrying more weight than the horse who beat him in March

The handicapper has defended his assessment of Tiger Roll which has left the great Irish horse facing what connections regard as an impossible task when he returns to Cheltenham on Friday. Having trailed Easysland by 17 lengths at the Festival in March when the pair were carrying the same weight, he must shoulder 4lb more than the French raider when they meet again on the cross-country course.

Related: Talking Horses: Southwell under microscope as jump racing returns

Tiger Roll
Easysland
Potters Corner

The top trio have all been declared for the Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase at @CheltenhamRaces on Friday.

Watch what happens live on Racing TV. pic.twitter.com/xsKkt0nqCV

A 14-1 winner has been disqualified because his jockey forgot to get himself weighed after the race, having apparently been distracted by an interview with ITV Racing. The channel’s cameras were making a rare visit to Taunton on Thursday when the 25-year-old Alex Thorne rode Twin Star to an unexpected victory in a handicap hurdle.

Tips by Chris Cook

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Talking Horses: Cilaos Emery can prove too slick in Clonmel Oil Chase

ITV Racing hopes to break fresh ground with action from Clonmel, which must pass an early-morning inspection

ITV Racing hopes to break fresh ground on Thursday afternoon when four races from Clonmel, including the Grade Two Clonmel Oil Chase, are due to lead the coverage on ITV4, and action from Irish tracks will continue to feature in the channel’s programming over the jumps season while restrictions to prevent the spread of Covid-19 leave spectators barred from attending.

Two more Grade One events at Punchestown - the Morgiana Hurdle on Sunday and the John Durkan Memorial Chase on 6 December – and the Hilly Way Chase at Cork, also on 6 December, are other fresh additions to the ITV schedule, along with the final two days of Leopardstown’s high-profile Christmas meeting on 28 and 29 December.

Related: Talking Horses: Southwell under microscope as jump racing returns

Sedgefield

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Talking Horses: Southwell under microscope as jump racing returns

The track reopens on Friday following urgent fence rebuilding and re-siting after a spate of fatalities in the summer

National Hunt racing will return to Southwell on Friday, more than two months after the British Horseracing Authority took the highly unusual decision to suspend jumping at the course to investigate eight fatal injuries to horses there since 1 July. All of its chase fences have been at least slightly modified, with two singled out for more significant changes, but the investigation concluded that the tight, speed-favouring nature of the course was not a factor in the spate of fatalities.

Trainers and owners gave the track a vote of confidence this week when nearly 150 initial entries were received for seven races, including three contests over the chase course. Five of the eight horses killed at the track over the summer were running in chases, including Croco Bay, the winner of the Grand Annual Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March 2019.

Related: Southwell's tight jumps track may be a factor in fatalities say trainers

Ayr 

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Talking Horses: The Conditional new favourite for Ladbrokes Trophy

David Bridgwater’s runner is the new market leader for the big betting race after Topofthegame is ruled out for the season

The Conditional, runner-up in the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury last season before winning the Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, is the new ante-post favourite for this year’s running of the race after Paul Nicholls was forced to rule out Topofthegame, the early 5-1 favourite, for the second season running on Monday.

Topofthegame was an impressive winner of the RSA Chase in March 2019 but has not been seen on a course since finishing second in the Mildmay Novice Chase at Aintree a few weeks later. He sustained a leg injury while being prepared for a return at Newbury last November and the same injury will keep him out until next autumn.

Related: Talking Horses: Ryan Moore's ride in the Mile was better than Boudot's

Huntingdon 

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Talking Horses: Ryan Moore's ride in the Mile was better than Boudot's

Four second places from six rides at the Breeders’ Cup led to criticism of British jockey, most of it unjustified

Finishing fast but too late, there’s a capital crime in the eyes of most punters. So the Breeders’ Cup is a reputational elephant trap for European jockeys, whose mounts rarely break on level terms with the US runners and so immediately find themselves with ground to make up, while the fast surface and tight bends make the task even harder.

Related: El Presente surprises trainer Kim Bailey with victory in Badger Beers Chase

Chepstow 12.30 Seelotmorebusiness 1.00 Mr Washington (nb) 1.30 Lisronagh Stone 2.05 Sign Of War 2.40 Kilconny Bridge 3.10 Glajou 3.45 Brewers Project 4.15 Slip Road

Kempton 12.40 Pink Sheets (nap) 1.10 Champagne Noir 1.40 Vegas Blue 2.15 Havana Hermano 2.48 Who's My Jockey 3.20 Outofthisworld 3.53 Phoenix Dawn

Carlisle 12.50 Bass Rock 1.20 Geordie B 1.50 Champagne Terri 2.25 Ming Dynasty 2.56 O'Hanrahan Bridge 3.30 Article Fifty 4.00 Grumpy McGrumpface

Southwell 4.35 Grand Pianola 5.05 Princess Of Lir 5.35 Puchita 6.05 Queen Of Kalahari 6.35 Annie De Vega 7.05 Beat The Heat 7.35 Lexi The One 8.05 Rhubarb

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Talking Horses: Saturday's UK racing tips and Breeders' Cup preview

Your guide to a packed Saturday’s TV racing from Wincanton, Doncaster, Aintree and the Breeders’ Cup meeting in Kentucky

At the end of fireworks week, Danny Whizzbang (3.35) can prove an aptly named winner of the Badger Beers Silver Trophy, this talented young chaser sure to be suited by a sound surface as he makes his handicap debut. From the Paul Nicholls stable that has won Wincanton’s biggest race 10 times, he can build on the promise he showed as a novice.

He didn’t win after beating Reserve Tank last November but soft ground in the Kauto Star and the Reynoldstown did not help and subsequent wind surgery may make a difference. Present Man will run his usual sound race while Sizing At Midnight looks a big price for a place.

Related: Champion jockey Oisin Murphy eyes first Breeders' Cup prize on Kameko

Doncaster 
11.50 Imperium Blue 12.20 Enchanted Night 12.55 Tomfre 1.20 Dakota Gold 2.05 Freyja 2.45 Banna 3.15 Kingbrook 3.45 Get Knotted

Kelso 
12.00 Sunset West 12.32 Cedar Hill 1.07 Taxmeifyoucan 1.42 Raecius Felix 2.17 Speak Of The Devil 2.52 Hitman Fred 3.27 Artic Mann 3.57 Platinumcard

Aintree 
12.25 Wilde About Oscar 1.00 Quoi De Neuf 1.35 Mohaayed (nb) 2.10 Drumcliff 2.40 Ch'tibello 3.20 Notre Pari 3.50 Rock Legend

Wincanton 
12.40 Hey Bud 1.15 Flic Ou Voyou 1.50 Sunrise Ruby 2.25 Grand Sancy 3.00 Diego Du Charmil 3.35 Danny Whizzbang (nap) 4.05 Mont Segur

Chelmsford
4.30 Flotilla 5.00 Win O'Clock 5.30 Zagato 6.00 Haven Lady 6.30 Gumra 7.00 Tie A Yellowribbon 7.30 Martineo 8.00 Bad Attitude 8.30 Beat The Breeze

Related: European challenge comes up short on opening day of Breeders' Cup

Keeneland 5.02 Gamine 5.39 Oleksandra 6.18 Knicks Go 6.57 Rushing Fall 7.36 C Z Rocket 8.15 Safe Voyage (nb) 8.54 Swiss Skydiver 9.33 Mogul (nap) 10.13 Tiz The Law

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Talking Horses: Melbourne Cup angst at fatalities among overseas raiders

The Derby winner Anthony Van Dyck is the sixth horse to die after taking part in the Melbourne Cup since 2013 and concern is mounting

Controversy and recrimination once more featured in the aftermath to the Melbourne Cup, Tuesday’s running of the famous Australian race being marred by the death of last year’s Derby winner, Anthony Van Dyck, while a record fine of A$50,000 (£27,430) was handed out to the jockey Kerrin McEvoy for a breach of the whip rules. The dismal news dominated headlines about the race on local websites and led to suggestions that the Cup was becoming a net negative for the sport in Australia.

Related: Talking Horses: We will do better, says owners' chief after strategy flak

The reality is the Melbourne Cup, once racing's best showcase, has become a net negative for the image of racing. The combination of softer boned northern hemisphere horses, the hard Flemington track and 3200m is not a good one.

Tips by Chris Cook

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Talking Horses: Vinndication to stake Gold Cup claim in Charlie Hall Chase

Kim Bailey’s chaser can take a big step towards the Cheltenham Festival in March with a defeat of Cyrname at Wetherby

If Cyrname can run to within 10lb of his best Ascot form on his first start at Wetherby on Saturday, he will make a mockery of odds of around 2-1 for the Charlie Hall Chase.

He looks vulnerable on his first start since February, however, has yet to win left-handed and has not reproduced the huge effort that beat Altior last November in two runs since.

Related: Talking Horses: Cyrname returns for Charlie Hall with something to prove

Newmarket
11.50 Tarhib
12.20 Copper Queen
12.55 Bear Me In Mind
1.30 Dourado
2.05 Alba Rose
2.40 Headman
3.15 Zakouski
3.50 Hunni

Ascot
12.15 No No Maestro
12.47 Known
1.20 Falco Blitz
1.55 Amoola Gold
2.32 Fearless
3.05 Dear Sire
3.40 Commanche Red (nap)
4.17 Arturus

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Talking Horses: European raiders line up for Breeders' Cup cash bonanza

The Breeders’ Cup’s unusual funding model has helped ensure that its big prize money pot will be unchanged from 2019

Around two-dozen horses will make the trip from Europe to run at the Breeders’ Cup meeting at Keeneland on 6 and 7 November, when prize money across the event’s 14 races will be maintained at last year’s total of $28m (£21.2m). Previous Group One winners due to line up in Lexington, Kentucky include Magical, Tarnawa, Lord North, Mogul and Kameko, this year’s 2,000 Guineas winner, while both James Fanshawe and Nigel Tinkler will field their first runners at the meeting.

The grandstands at Keeneland will be empty when the meeting gets underway on Friday week, just as they are across much of Europe.

Related: Talking Horses: Ladbrokes quitting tracks adds to betting ring's struggles

Stratford 12.35 A Perfect Gift 1.06 Harry Senior 1.36 Larch Hill 2.06 Aintree My Dream 2.36 Galice Macalo 3.06 When You’re Ready 3.36 Summit Like Herbie 4.06 Soyouthinksoagain

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Talking Horses: Ladbrokes quit tracks in blow for struggling betting ring

Ladbrokes and Coral, two of the most familiar brands in betting, will vanish from the racecourse rings in Britain and Ireland

Ladbrokes and Coral, two of the most familiar brands in betting, will vanish from the racecourse rings in Britain and Ireland following the news that GVC, the parent company of both firms, has agreed to sell its 106 pitches to a rival bookie and withdraw from on-course operations.

GVC’s pitches – 85 in the UK and 21 in Ireland - have been sold en bloc to John Hooper, who trades on course under the name Sid Hooper. Hooper also bought William Hill’s 82 pitches when the firm made the same move out of the ring two years ago. Seventeen members of GVC staff are now in consultation over their futures.

Related: Talking Horses: 'Premier League squad' lined up for Charlie Hall

Nottingham 12.45 Glide Down 1.15 Espresso Freddo 1.50 Fantasy Master 2.20 Rasheeq 2.50 C’Est No Mour 3.20 Push The Tempo 3.50 Seaborough 4.20 Contrast

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Talking Horses: Nuts Well takes tiny north-east stable to the big time

‘It means the world. He’s really taken us by surprise,’ says trainer Ann Hamilton, achieving her biggest win in her 70s

The romance of jump racing was on full show at Aintree as the plucky, prolific but nevertheless unsung Nuts Well battled his way to victory in the Old Roan Chase for the tiny Northumberland stable of Ann Hamilton.

This was the biggest success in the long career of the 73-year-old Hamilton, who still schools horses over fences at her base in the village of Capheaton, about 20 miles north-west of Newcastle.

Related: Frodon back in Gold Cup contention after Cheltenham success on soft

Redcar 12.10 Finoah 12.40 Soapy Stevens 1.15 Turn On The Charm 1.50 Troll Peninsula 2.25 Fleetwood Pier (nap) 3.00 Cool Dandy 3.35 Bomb Squad 4.10 Dirchill 

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Talking Horses: Wembley can tower over rivals in Vertem Futurity

Victory would take Aidan O’Brien to 10 wins in top-class Doncaster contest, matching Sir Henry Cecil’s record

It looks like being a record-equalling 10th success in the Vertem Futurity for Aidan O’Brien, whose Wembley (2.55) is a convincing favourite in the contest formerly known as the Racing Post Trophy. Though he has managed just one win from six starts so far, he was arguably the one to take out of the Dewhurst, in which he was strong at the finish in second after a less than ideal run through.

King Vega comes from the stable that won this last year and One Ruler will surely have a say but Wembley should come out on top. That would help O’Brien match Sir Henry Cecil’s tally of victories in the race, completed by King’s Theatre some 27 years ago.

Kelso
12.50 Rocheston 1.25 Hart Of Steel 1.59 Begoodtoyourself 2.33 Rocky’s Treasure (nap) 3.08 Benny In Milan 3.43 Oak Vintage 4.18 Clouncerna 4.53 Handy Hollow 

Related: Talking Horses: racecourse bookies fear financial ruin if stands stay empty

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Premier League: 10 things to look out for this weekend

Axel Tuanzebe should start, Everton’s and Aston Villa’s credentials will be tested and Rhian Brewster returns to Anfield

Following their last-ditch heroics against Tottenham, West Ham host Manchester City and in this white-knuckle rollercoaster ride of a season not even the combined forces of Mystic Meg, Nostradamus and Sally Morgan could boldly predict what might happen. City came from behind to beat Porto in the Champions League on Wednesday but their win was far from convincing. The Portuguese side carved open the City defence on several occasions, while Ederson was lucky to survive an uncharacteristic howler. Already without Kevin De Bruyne, Aymeric Laporte, Benjamin Mendy and Gabriel Jesus, City were dealt a further blow with the news Fernandinho will be sidelined for four to six weeks. While undeniably valuable to their cause, the Brazilian may not be quite the loss Guardiola fears – the season before last, City averaged 2.7 points per top flight game in which he played, compared with 2.0 in those in which he didn’t. Last season, they acquired an average of 2.13 per game with Fernandinho, compared with 2.4 per game on the eight occasions he was absent. BG

Related: Hakim Ziyech: 'I'm not afraid to have my opinion, I speak from the heart'

Southampton v Everton – Sunday 2pm GMT

Aston Villa v Leeds United – Friday, 8pm BST

Related: Hakim Ziyech: 'I'm not afraid to have my opinion, I speak from the heart'

Wolves v Newcastle United – Sunday, 4.30pm GMT

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Talking Horses: a pity the BHA did not catch Aidan O'Brien's rare lapse

Racing’s safeguards are aimed at preventing repeats of past mistakes but fell over when faced with a new one

We all make mistakes. The great thing is to not make the same one twice and I would be happy to bet that Aidan O’Brien will find some means of ensuring he is never again in the unhappy position of watching a race and realising his two runners are carrying each other’s jockeys.

Related: Talking Horses: owner's fury over winning rival's breach of whip rules

Tips by Chris Cook

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Talking Horses: owner's fury over winning rival's breach of whip rules

Kulbir Sohi, whose Tranchee was second at York on Saturday, has urged racing’s rulers to crack down on whip offenders

Racing’s whip rules are once more to be the subject of heated debate, following the punishment meted out to Martin Harley for an obvious breach of them while winning on Gulliver at York on Saturday. Kulbir Sohi, owner of the runner-up, Tranchee, is outraged that a winner is allowed to keep the prize despite such significant rule-breaking and has written in complaint to the sport’s ruling body, urging a change in the rules and threatening legal action.

Related: ‘She’s been a superstar’: tearful Dettori pays tribute to retired Enable

Huntingdon 12.00 Perfect Myth 12.30 Vegas Blue 1.00 Peur De Rien 1.30 Darsi In The Park 2.00 First Quest 2.35 The Late Legend 3.10 Noble Joshua (nb) 3.45 Sandinista 

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Premier League: 10 things to look out for this weekend

Thiago Silva is in for another test, Pep Guardiola faces Marcelo Bielsa and is the jig finally up for Burnley?

Jack Grealish responded to the news that Ross Barkley had signed for Aston Villa in typically impish fashion: a tweet full of heart emojis. And why not? Barkley, arriving on a season-long loan, is quite the coup for a side that just about stayed up last season by a single point. The question is how Dean Smith finds a place for Barkley in a midfield that has now found some balance – Villa are now unbeaten in six league games after their 3-0 win at Fulham. Smith would be smart to leave Barkley out of the XI for the visit of Liverpool on Sunday – his side will need defensive discipline and tactical awareness that has obviously been honed on the training ground in recent weeks – but his time will come. Beyond this weekend, Barkley should revel in being a creative talisman once again alongside Grealish. Villa feels a good fit. MB

@sergio_regui #THFC ⚪️ #COYS pic.twitter.com/avF98dAkTR

Related: Calvert-Lewin on fire and fake crowds leaving games early – Football Weekly

Related: Champions League 2020-21: group stage analysis and predictions

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Talking Horses: Enable's Arc hat-trick bid boosted after shock Love exit

Enable is now hot favourite for Europe’s premier racing prize after the exit of Love and drawing a favourable low draw

Enable is no bigger than 11-8 to record an unprecedented third victory in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe having drawn a favourable low stall in a final field of 15 on Thursday morning, less than an hour after Aidan O’Brien announced that Love, the big-race favourite for much of the last three months, will not make the trip to Paris on Sunday.

The withdrawal of Love, the winner of the 1,000 Guineas and Oaks, after persistent rain at Longchamp in recent days was hugely disappointing for O’Brien but leaves John Gosden, Enable’s trainer, with the front two in the betting after his outstanding stayer Stradivarius attracted further support. The winner of the Gold Cup at Ascot for the last three seasons was a 20-1 shot eight days ago, but is now top-priced at 13-2 despite a wide draw in stall 14.

Related: Champion jockey Oisin Murphy denies he took cocaine in failed drugs test

Fontwell 12.30 Shinobi 1.00 Coolanly 1.35 Miss Heritage 2.10 Imperial Presence 2.45 Balko Saint 3.20 Never Learn 3.55 Volturnus 4.30 Kerb Line

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Talking Horses: racing urges workers with Covid-19 to come forward

Following reports of possible cases in the sport’s workforce, the BHA has insisted on hearing from any affected stable staff

Racing’s ruling body is aware of possible Covid-19 cases in the sport’s workforce and issued a plea for anyone affected to come forward immediately, to minimise the spread and avoid derailing the sport altogether.

“We have had some reports of potential cases,” Nick Rust, the British Horseracing Authority chief executive, said on Sunday though he stressed those cases had yet to be verified.

Related: Talking Horses: Gosden says self-help is the way forward in Covid crisis

Related: Talking Horses: frustration after false Covid link with Doncaster trial

Tips by Chris Cook

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Talking Horses: fears for return of crowds after new Covid restriction

The first racegoers allowed into a track since March will be turning up at Doncaster but the outlook is newly gloomy

Tuesday’s late news about tightening coronavirus restrictions came just in time to sour the return of racegoers to a British racecourse. Up to 3,640 ticket-buyers are allowed in the ‘general admission’ areas at Doncaster on Wednesday, rising to more than 6,000 for the next three days, which should be a moment for hope that this is a firm step towards normality and the worst is past.

Related: Drive to rescue horse racing finances launched after Priti Patel meeting

"Planning is already well-advanced."

Racecourses hope to accommodate paying spectators - in some form - from 1 October.

This date needs further confirmation from government and trials need to go well beforehand, says @TheRCA CEO David Armstrong #LuckOnSunday @ABE_Dubai pic.twitter.com/p6s6SieCYe

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Talking Horses: Racing With Pride launched as racing's LGBT+ network

Creating ‘a community in which people can find support and camaraderie’ is the aim for new body promoting inclusiveness

The ancient stereotype of racing as a stuffy old club, resistant to difference or change, is a little less true this week, following the launch of Racing With Pride, the official LGBT+ network for British racing. It is the work of the Diversity in Racing Steering Group, whose members come from across the racing industry with the collective mission of “offering a big-hearted welcome for everyone”.

Related: Talking Horses: big market mover Galileo Chrome has Leger in his sights

Newton Abbot
1.00 The Bees Knees 1.30 Horse Force One 2.05 Dariya 2.40 Storm Home 3.15 Cheltenam De Vaige 3.50 The Late Legend 4.25 Bebraveforglory 

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