#Ascot Hurdle

Nicky Henderson's dual-purpose star has won five times for owners Thurloe Thoroughbreds since being bought out of Hughie Morrison's yard, capturing the racing public's attention when landing both the Cesarewitch and Ascot Hurdle in quick succession in 2021. That set up the Motivator gelding for a tilt at the Long Walk Hurdle, but he suffered a…

Bravemansgame and L'Homme Presse feature among a final field of nine horses declared for the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at Kempton. Paul Nicholls has long since considered the Boxing Day showpiece as a tailor-made target for Bravemansgame, who was a brilliant winner of the Kauto Star Novices' Chase on this day last season. The seven-year-old…

Steve Packham (third left): hoping Goshen can gain a first Grade 1 in the Long Walk Hurdle No-one could begrudge Steve Packham a first Grade 1 winner at Kempton on Monday and Goshen's owner believes his fans' favourite will relish a first try over three miles in the Ladbrokes Long Walk Hurdle (12.45). The Gary Moore-trained Goshen looked a Grade 1…

The bookmakers reckon the Unibet Champion Hurdle crown may as well be gift-wrapped and popped underneath Constitution Hill's Christmas tree. Last season's runaway Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner was similarly jaw-dropping on his return at Newcastle last month and that, coupled with Honeysuckle fluffing her lines at Fairyhouse on Sunday, means that…

We're on the road to the Cheltenham Festival with the leading lights of the National Hunt game coming out to play. A number of clues for all four championship races - the Champion Hurdle, Champion Chase, Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle and Gold Cup - are set to be dropped over the coming months. The Cheltenham Festival 2023 takes place between Tuesday,…

Protektorat put himself in the Cheltenham Gold Cup picture with a commanding victory in the Betfair Chase at Haydock. Third behind A Plus Tard at the Festival in March, Dan Skelton's charge reversed that form in style as Henry de Bromhead's 1/2 favourite failed to fire and was pulled up three out. Bristol De Mai led the quintet along as he sought a…

A PLUS TARD can win the Betfair Chase (Registered As The Lancashire Chase) (GBB Race) (3pm) again at Haydock Park on Saturday afternoon. Henry de Bromhead's eight-year-old is the leading staying chaser around and he can take the Grade One feature on Merseyside for a second successive year. Having been second in the Cheltenham Gold Cup to…

The Nicky Henderson-trained five-year-old was hugely impressive in winning each of his three starts last season, completing his hat-trick with a jaw-dropping 22-length victory in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March. National Hunt racing enthusiasts are already relishing a potential clash between Constitution Hill and the…