#John Hales

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…

Here at Severn Sport not only do we cast our eyes over Gloucestershire Football, but we also follow horse racing and in particular the road to the Cheltenham Festival in March. As part of our annual coverage we host a tipster league in March and get local players involved as part of the fun and this year with the fact there isn't much football…

The crowds are about to descend on Aintree - the Grand National is finally upon us. Bookies will hold their collective breaths at 4.15pm, hoping for one of the outsiders to storm to the front and be first past the post. All of the best jockeys have a horse. The departing AP McCoy is on the favourite, Shutthefrontdoor, while Ruby Walsh will be…

The opening card at Cheltenham's November Meeting is headlined by the Hyde Novices' Hurdle. Billed as the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle, this race has been used as a trial for the Grade One on day two of the Cheltenham Festival and a classy field will contest Friday's renewal. We've taken a look through the confirmed field for Friday's Hyde Novices'…

SIR ALEX FERGUSON, the legendary Manchester United manager, will again be present at the Cheltenham Festival this year. And Fergie is being tipped to land a whopping £250000 windfall at Prestbury Park! The Manchester United great is one of the co-owners of superstar chaser Protektorat, his sole charge this year. Trained by Dan Skelton, the…

Protektorat: clears the last under Harry Skelton Saturday: Betfair Chase, Haydock Protektorat took advantage of a flop from odds-on favourite A Plus Tard to land the Betfair Chase in brilliant style. The Dan Skelton-trained seven-year-old, who was partnered by the trainer's brother Harry, travelled best throughout the race and pressed ahead at the…

SIR ALEX FERGUSON always spoke about the importance of team-mates and teamwork when he was Manchester United manager. That conviction has served him well in another sport - and netted him an absolute fortune in the process. Fergie, 80, spearheads several groups of multi-millionaire pals who plunder the biggest horse races around. And this season…

Paul Nicholls believes Politologue is at the top of his game ahead of Saturday's Matchbook Betting Exchange Clarence House Chase at Ascot. Last season's Queen Mother Champion Chase hero picked up where he left off when landing a second victory in the Tingle Creek at Sandown in December, and will be a hot favourite to provide his trainer with a…

Dan Skelton is happy to let Protektorat again take on Cheltenham Gold Cup hero A Plus Tard in the Betfair Chase at Haydock Park on November 19. Skelton's seven-year-old finished third, more than 17 lengths adrift of Henry de Bromhead's Gold star in the Cheltenham Festival feature in March, before he disappointed when only fourth in the Betway Bowl…

He may have the one-two from the Cheltenham Gold Cup and a dual Betfair Chase winner standing in his path, but owner John Hales believes Politologue is ready to turn the established order among the staying chasers on its head when he tackles three miles for the first time in the 32Red King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day. Little more than…