#Desert Orchid

Sheikh Mohammed winning the Champion Hurdle with a horse who'd been first past the post in the Gold Cup at Ascot... Barry Hills and Robert Sangster combining to land the Stayers' Hurdle... Saeed Manana's silks carried to victory in the Sun Alliance Hurdle and a Gold Cup that caused such a rumpus it ended with a Jockey Club Enquiry at Portman Square…

Tommy Lyons ranks the country's greatest horsemen from the past 50 years. A star from the outset, Walsh served notice of what was to come by winning the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham aboard Alexander Banquet, and winning the Aintree Grand National at the first attempt. He showed his outstanding natural ability and adaptability by being able to ride…

Twice early in its history the Cheltenham Gold Cup fell foul of the weather, both times in the 1930s. The atrocious winter of 1962/63 abated just in time for Cheltenham to go ahead as normal that March but snow on the final day of the 1978 Festival resulted in that year's Gold Cup, won by Midnight Court, being postponed four weeks until…

By Andrew Asquith, Friday 06 January 2023 Posted in: Cheltenham Festival Tips Andrew Asquith looks ahead to the 2023 Champion Chase and picks out his best ante-post bet. The entries for the 2023 Champion Chase were made earlier this week and one of the most notable absentees was 2021 Sporting Life Arkle winner Shishkin, who was pulled up when…

Happy New Year! I don't know about you, but I always forget to say that when I see someone for the first time since the change of the year. The period between Christmas and New Year (I got many an eye roll for calling it Twixmas!) blurs into a succession of days and as I was in bed before 9pm on New Year's Eve, 2022 rolled into 2023 almost…

ONLY the true greats truly break the racing bubble. Frankie Dettori, Desert Orchid, AP McCoy, Lester Piggot all make the cut. And of course, the mighty Frankel. In tandem with his unequalled talent on the track, a run of 14 straight wins at the highest level in breathtaking fashion, Frankel was also credited with keeping his trainer Sir Henry Cecil…

Desert Orchid: scooping the Tingle Creek Chase Ahead of the Unibet Grey Horse Handicap (2.45) at Newmarket on Saturday, we take a look at five of the greatest greys to grace the track. . . Desert Orchid One who needs no introduction. Desert Orchid is a hero among jumps fans for his incredible versatility, success and front-running style that led…

To get my excuses in first, Newbury on New Year's Eve provided just about the worst possible conditions for anyone trying to glean meaningful observations from the paddock. Rain that was supposed to be off and on was never off, the wind was blowing and the horses were well rugged up until as late as possible. Just keeping my notes from being soggy…

Minella Indo and A Plus Tard, last year's first and second, top 30 entries for the Cheltenham Gold Cup - the highlight of the Festival meeting in March. Trained by Henry de Bromhead, the duo were separated by just a length and a quarter in 2021, but it is A Plus Tard who is the ante-post favourite at this stage after winning the Betfair Chase…

It was a shame Edwardstone unseated Tom Cannon at the fifth in the Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton. He had been brilliant in the Tingle Creek and this was supposed to be further evidence that he's ready to have a real crack at Energumene in the Queen Mother Champion Chase. Alas, it wasn't to be, but at least he returned unscathed and the Champion…

AFTER a few false starts and with the weather causing havoc, the National Hunt finally looks like kicking into top gear over Christmas. And the highlight will be the blockbuster King George on Boxing Day. Sky Sports Racing and Racing TV will have their fair share of the action. But ITV remains the only place to see all the big races without having…

Edwardstone was lobbing along at the back of the field when he got in too close to one down the far side leaving Cannon no chance as he was catapulted out of the saddle. Editeur Du Gite was bowling along nicely in front under Niall Houlihan at that stage and he didn't see another rival as he galloped on relentlessly for a 13-length success from…

IF at first you don't succeed, try, try again. The Two Amigos, having his third crack at the Welsh Grand National, made every yard of the running for a memorable win at Chepstow. The 16-1 shot fought them all off under a ballsy ride from 5lb claimer David Prichard to give trainer Nicky Martin her biggest winner. The gutsy 10-year-old was fifth on…

IF at first you don't succeed - try, try again! That's certainly the case for TRUCKERS LODGE in today's big betting race of the day, the Coral Welsh National on ITV. The three-mile-six marathon is sure to spark tremendous reaction from the back-again Chepstow fans… and hopefully a Truckers revival! I think this is a wide open renewal, and Truckers…

12:45 Kempton - Artistic Choice 13:05 Chepstow - Broken Halo (each way) 13:20 Kempton - Boothill 13:40 Chepstow - Scriptwriter 13:55 Kempton - Get A Tonic 14:10 Chepstow - Flight Deck (each way) 14:30 Kempton - Nube Negra 14:50 Chepstow - Truckers Lodge (each way) 15:09 Kempton - Kitty's Light (each way) *All prices are bang up to date with our…

Boxing Day is the most important day in the year when it comes to UK-based sports. Ladbrokes are sponsoring the Christmas Festival 2022 which comes with two major horse racing events. Below, we are going to talk more about the Ladbrokes Trophy 2022 odds and tips. Since 2005, Ladbrokes has sponsored horse racing events as part of a Christmas…

We'll be providing you with live updates and the latest news on the race as it unfolds. King George Chase is one of the most prestigious National Hunt races, held annually at Kempton Park Racecourse in Surrey, England. Today's race is sure to be a thrilling event, with a competitive field of some of the best steeplechasers in the country vying for…

Clan Des Obeaux is out to win a third King George. Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Minella Indo, the mount of Rachael Blackmore and stablemate Frodon are among the runners Clan Des Obeaux has had "his best preparation ever" for his bid to join the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase greats on Boxing Day. Paul Nicholls launches an awesome three-pronged assault…

The festive season is one of the busiest periods of the year for horse racing, with 11 meetings taking place between Ireland and the UK on St Stephen's Day alone. Leopardstown and Limerick both host four-day meetings, with Grade 1 races among the action at both tracks, while Down Royal also stages a card on December 26. Across the water, races like…

Kempton's Ladbrokes King George (3.00) was won by the outsider Frodon, giving trainer Paul Nicholls his 12th success in the race Bryony Frost judged her fractions to perfection as Frodon served up a 20-1 shock in the 2020 Ladbrokes King George VI Chase. The pair have had a tremendous partnership in recent seasons and hit the heights in the festive…

A scroll through Twitter on the evening of December 26 in recent years has tended to reveal Paul Nicholls celebrating King George success with a McDonald's on the way back from Kempton. The Ditcheat maestro, who is seeking a record-extending 13th win in the race, could well be lovin' it again on Monday with Bravemansgame and Hitman among the main…

Britain's festive spectacular, the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase (2.30), is one of the highlights of the year and is already shaping up to be a post-Christmas cracker on December 26. The King George has been won by some of jump racing's legends in the past, and we have taken a look at who could join that illustrious roll of honour based on…

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…

Leopardstown: two days of the track's Christmas festival will be shown on ITV Racing Horse Racing Ireland is looking forward to Irish meetings playing a crucial role in the ITV Racing Christmas Festival, but it is unlikely it will add another fixture to its schedule to make it a week-long spectacular of coverage in the future. The ITV Racing…

Michael Buckley, still revelling in the sensational atmosphere he experienced when Constitution Hill shone at Newcastle last month, hopes the Christmas crowd at Kempton can enjoy an equally thrilling treat on Monday when the sport's newest superstar lines up in the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle (1.55). Trained by Buckley's close pal Nicky Henderson,…

Bravemansgame (left) and Hitman: in the running for the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase Sam Twiston-Davies is pinning his hopes of another King George VI Chase (2.30) on the fantastic jumping of Hitman, the horse he rides in the Ladbrokes-sponsored event at Kempton on Monday. Twiston-Davies won the prestigious Grade 1 in 2019 when he rode Clan Des…

Last season's Sporting Life Arkle hero was always travelling sweetly under Tom Cannon and was hard on the bridle as he chased his only serious rival going to the second last. He settled it in a matter of strides too, going clear to score by nine lengths. Shishkin was well-held in third after a mistake at the Pond Fence. "I couldn't believe how well…

This is Newmarket but not as we know it. With one of two canters completed, horses amble through what feels like a dark, thick forest that paints an elegant impression of Chantilly. As they make their way back towards the woodchip gallop, David Elsworth drives slowly and carefully in between trees. Behind us Racing Post photographer Edward Whitaker…

Frost and snow has hit hard in Britain and Ireland but over the festive period ITV are planning on covering action from 14 race meetings, featuring 41 races in total, across six joyous days of high-octane racing. From Boxing Day right through to New Year's Day, the Christmas jumpers are out in force and here we highlight the full schedule including…

Shishkin was the outstanding novice chaser in training in 2020/21, showing top-class form in winning his first five starts over fences, and last season began in a similar vein as he made a seamless transition into open company with victories in the Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton and Clarence House Chase at Ascot. The Clarence House was arguably the…

The Grade 1 Tingle Creek is one of the leading races in the 2m chase division. Its roll of honour includes Desert Orchid, Moscow Flyer, Kauto Star, Master Minded and Sprinter Sacre. Six runners have been declared for the Sandown feature on Saturday afternoon at 2.55pm, including last year's winner Greaneteen and one of the stars of the division,…

The two rising stars of the two-mile chasing division look set to go to head-to-head in what could be an epic edition of the Wednesday feature at the sporting event Shishkin ridden by Nico de Boinville jumps the last fence to win the 2021 Sporting Life Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices' Chase Shishkin and Energumene are being readied for a fascinating…

The eight year old enjoyed a season to remember last term, twice winning Grade One prizes at Sandown Park including a 12-length demolition job of Sceau Royal in the Celebration Chase in April. And while there looks set to be a smart field standing in his way this Saturday, including last year's Arkle Trophy hero as well as the returning Nicky…

One of the great National Hunt races of the season takes centre-stage on Saturday with the latest running of the Betfair Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown Park. The two-mile chasing showpiece boasts that brilliant mix of a need for speed, matched with jumping fluidity which has seen illustrious stars of the sport including Desert Orchid, Kauto Star,…

Many a true word is said in jest as the saying goes and I was reminded of that maxim when reading a tweet early last week that said there would be more Festival clues at Fairyhouse last Tuesday than there had been at Cheltenham the previous weekend. Given the star entries at Ascot's upcoming weekend fixture, I doubt the poster also had it in the…

Some of the commentaries in the early editions of Timeform's'Racehorses' annuals seem a little harsh now: 'A well-bred "thief" who will never win again' (Poseidonius, 1949); 'he is a headstrong, impetuous, hard-pulling brute, as like as not to refuse to start, or run wide on the bends, or do anything else he can think of to avoid racing' (Le…

Burrows Saint was the most recent winner of the Irish Grand National The racing world may be starved of live action but The Irish Grand National - Chasing A Dream, a documentary which chronicles the history of the Easter Monday showpiece at Fairyhouse, should go some way to filling the void. Scheduled to be broadcast on TG4 at 7pm on Saturday…

Trainer Dan Skelton says Protektorat has had the perfect build up for his re-match with Cheltenham Gold Cup winner A Plus Tard in the Betfair Chase at Haydock on Saturday. Protektorat, part-owned by Sir Alex Ferguson, was the first British-trained horse home in the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March when third. But the seven-year-old has 17-and-a-half…

In the Racecourse Prices Index (RPI) we report from Britain and Ireland's racetracks on the cost of going racing. Racecourse report: entry, food and pint prices from Royal Ascot Date visited: Tuesday, June 14, 2022 Was it a big day? You could say that. Day one of Royal Ascot, with crowds back to full strength for the first time since 2019. With…

Alan King has enjoyed some memorable days at Cheltenham's November Meeting over the years, perhaps none more so than when Annacotty won the Paddy Power Gold Cup back in 2015. Not only was it his first win in that prestigious contest, but it was a success made even sweeter by the fact that Annacotty was out of the mare Mini Moo Min, who had provided…

Those big black eyes set on the white face, ears pricked, first planted themselves in the public imagination 30 midwinters ago, when Desert Orchid turned Boxing Day at Kempton Park into his own Christmas parade. There was a huge roar as the front-running silver blade carrying Simon Sherwood cleared the final fence. Victory in the King George VI…

A total of five horses were declared for the Grade Two limited handicap chase over an extended two miles and a furlong and Third Time Lucki is currently the 7/4 favourite market leader. The seven-year-old won three of his six starts last season, scoring twice at Cheltenham (including in the Grade Two November Novices' Chase) and in the Grade Two…

Plenty of horses trained in Ireland understandably catching the punters' attention after the recent festive action. Shorteners with Sky Bet include Sunday Naas winner Ginto who looks a player in the staying novice hurdle division in March - and a Willie Mullins-trained, Sussanah Ricci-owned French import in Allegorie De Vassy. She impressed with…

Frodon: an impressive winner at Down Royal last year Owner Paul Vogt is looking forward to sending Frodon into the lion's den to take on Ireland's finest at this weekend's Dublin Racing Festival. The ten-year-old is on course for the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup (3.15) on Saturday but will not be joined at Leopardstown by stablemate Clan Des Obeaux,…

If you are looking for an industry professional with a long history in the gambling space, look no further than Unibet's Ed Nicholson. His hair may be long gone, but the Racing Communications and Sponsorship boss is only 53 and he has crammed plenty into his working life. Nicholson, the son of a teacher that visited every racecourse in the…

There is a feast of action to look forward to on Racing TV over Easter and undoubtedly one of the highlights is the €500000 Boylesports Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on Monday. The contest has a roll of honour which includes Rhyme'n' Reason (1985), Desert Orchid (1990), Bobbyjo (1998), Commanche Court (2000), and Numbersixvalverde (2005). This…

The Irish Grand National 2022 takes place at 5pm on Monday, April 18. It's the big race on the third and final day of the Easter Festival at Fairyhouse that will have a lot of fans interested. Jockey Robbie Power has won the Irish Grand National before, on Our Duke in 2017 and knows what it takes to win the big races.

The King George VI Chase is one of the races that all racing fans look forward to over the festive period, as it is the second most prestigious race of the jumps season. The only race that is considered more prestigious is the Cheltenham Gold Cup, which ensures that all eyes are on the race on Boxing Day. The race is run over three miles, and there…