The jockey could also have ridden another Irish challenger in Jessica Harrington’s
The jockey could also have ridden another Irish challenger in Jessica Harrington’s Spirit Leader, now to be the rather inappropriately named mount of Timmy Murphy, as well as Nicky Henderson’s Chauvinist.The Lambourn trainer is still trying to muddle through a dislocated season following the ankle injury which has kept stable jockey Mick Fitzgerald out of the saddle for over two weeks. The definite booking for Seven Barrows at this stage is Marcus Foley for the well-fancied Non So. Foley, a claiming rider, will take 3lb off Non So’s back.Emotional Moment and Non So will be 7lb and 3lb respectively out of the handicap if Martin Pipe’s Copeland attempts to become the first horse in 39 years – the first since Ryan Price won the then Schweppes with Rosyth in 1963 and 1964 – to win the Tote Gold Trophy back-to-back.With that caveat in place there has been a third horse well pruned in the run-up to tomorrow’s race in the shape of Philip Hobbs’s In Contrast, who was reduced still further to 13-2 (from 8-1) by William Hill yesterday.For once a trainer did not express bewilderment at the run of betting support for one of his horses “Rightly so,” Hobbs said. “He was one of the top novices last year and hopefully he’s coming good at the right time.”The Minehead trainer, who sent out Rooster Booster to finish second to Copeland 12 months ago, is praying for good ground “He’s very well but I hope the rain stays away,” he said. “The better the ground the better for him.”* Channel 4 has pulled the plug on its half-hour Lunchtime Attheraces programme which will end on 7 March five months after it was launched.
The decision follows disappointing viewing figures and doubts over the ability of racing to supply a lunchtime race during the summer months.. The Germans were the first to stake a semi-final place on the second day of the first World Indoor Cup here yesterday after defeating the Czech Republic 6-3 and then Switzerland 9-6. We just have to get the game behind us.”Germany then beat Switzerland, but not without a few anxious moments. They had a good start with a 14-second goal from Philip Sunkel, but the Swiss came back and went 3-2 up before losing their lead as Germany established an interval advantage of 4-3.
The Germans then opened up a three-goal gap only to be pegged back again before Domke completed his second successive treble as the Germans ended with a 9-6 victory despite a late Swiss rally.Canada’s semi-final hopes were put on ice after they scored twice in the last 24 seconds to draw 5-5 with the Czech Republic. In the other half of the men’s draw, Poland, lead the way on maximum points in Group B after an 8-3 defeat of Australia.The Australian women were no match for the Germans, who cruised to a 19-2 victory, with three goals in the final minute, to maintain maximum points in Group A, along with the Czech Republic. The French had a very workmanlike 3-1 victory against Lithuania and are on maximum points in Group B, along with the Netherlands.. ENGLAND’S CROCKS took another encouraging stride towards proving their fitness and form for the World Cup here yesterday when they played a leading role in gaining Nasser Hussain’s side a comfortable win in their final warm-up game before the tournament begins on Sunday. Following another week when events off the field have taken attention away from those on it, Hussain will be feeling pretty content and optimistic about the direction in which his side are moving.In front of a small, indifferent crowd, who created a relaxed atmosphere, in conditions far removed from those England will encounter when the World Cup gets into a higher gear, White, Giles and Harmison were allowed to ease their way gently back into cricket. Following spells out injured, this was just the work-out they required and each made the most of it.
On a sweltering day, all three took useful wickets and bowled virtually their full allocation of overs.It was White, however, who put in the most impressive performance. The Yorkshire all-rounder has been England’s major injury worry in the build -up to the World Cup, but after taking 2 for 27 he now looks ready to play an influential part in the tournament. After four tentative overs against Eastern Province on Tuesday, this was always going to be a big match for White. The selectors have shown patience in waiting for the 33-year-old to recover from the side strain that prematurely ended his tour of Australia and yesterday he showed why they rate him so highly.In a make-or-break game, White once again looked to ease himself into his spell.