Tuesday’s racing round-up brings news of a big-race clash in Ireland on Sunday…
Teahupoo and Lossiemouth look set for an exciting clash in the Bar One Racing Hatton's Grace Hurdle on Sunday. The former, winner of the Stayers' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival last season, will be bidding for a hat-trick in the race after wins in 2022 and 2023. Lossiemouth was due to take on stablemate State Man and Brighterdaysahead in last week's Morgiana Hurdle, but she was ruled out due to a bruised foot. Willie Mullins' star mare hasn't been seen since landing the Grade 1 Irish EBF Mares Champion Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival in May.
Willie Mullins looks to have unearthed another exciting juvenile after Karniquet landed the 2m maiden hurdle at Tramore this afternoon. Mullins landed the same contest in 2022 with last year's Arkle hero Gaelic Warrior and although the winning margin wasn't as emphatic, it was tough not to be impressed with the Gigginstown-owned French recruit, who powered away to come home eleven lengths clear of Downmexicoway. Speaking to Racing TV of the 4/5 winner, Townend said: "It was very straightforward. He gave me a lovely feel on the way round. Obviously, he had two runs over hurdles in France, so I wasn't worried about not getting experience into him today, but throughout the race, he gave me a great feel. I loved the way he went about it. He's entitled to improve for it as well and I hope he can be a decent sort." Paddy Power cut the winner to 25/1 (from 40s) for the two-mile Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
James Horton has secured a deal to move into Beech Hurst Stables in Newmarket. The former training establishment of the recently retired Sir Michael Stoute, Beech Hurst Stables was the home of Shergar when he won his Derby. Horton was assistant trainer to Sir Michael Stoute before branching out on his own to train for leading owner John Dance, but the operation was quickly stunted when Dance subsequently came under investigation for fraud. "We're very lucky, we've been able to secure a lease on Beech Hurst Stables for next year," Horton said on Sky Sports Racing. "Obviously, everything went a bit upside down about 18 months ago, so this year has very much been a sort of rebuilding year. This time last year, we hadn't even moved into the yard, with just a handful of horses. It's been very much a rebuilding year, but we've been lucky enough to secure the lease on Beech House, which will be a fantastic opportunity for us."
Shirley Anderson-Jolag etched her name into the history books on Tuesday morning when becoming the first female auctioneer to take to the rostrum in Britain. Anderson-Jolag covered five lots in the Tattersalls December Foal Sale, with lot 211 now the first horse to be sold in Britain by a female auctioneer.
Willie Mullins' first-ever runner at Sedgefield was made a winning one when Mr Escobar went on to land the odds in the Vickers.Bet Proud To Support British Racing Novices' Hurdle. The 1/3 favourite travelled strongly under Irish jockey Brian Hayes before staying on well up the hill to get the better of the Rebecca Menzies-trained Kingston Narcissus by four-and-a-quarter lengths.
Connections of Beauport are dreaming of more Grand National glory after his recent wide-margin Ascot success on Saturday. The Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained eight-year-old, who was hiked up 12lb by the handicapper for his latest 31-length triumph, will now be aimed at the Aintree feature in April. Owners Bryan and Philippa Burrough tasted Aintree glory back in 1983 when Jenny Pitman's Corbiere galloped to victory and will be hoping Beauport, who is a general 33/1 chance, can provide them with another memorable day in Merseyside.
