Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Sports World

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Gypsy unlikely to tackle Cheltenham mares’ race Posted: 09 Feb 2011 09:30 AM PST Betting tips say Kim Bailey's progressive mare Silver Gypsy seems most unlikely to take her chance at the Cheltenham Festival in the David Nicholson Mares Hurdle, and is instead a probable runner at Newbury in the EBF Mares 'National Hunt' Novices Hurdle Final, writes Elliot Slater. A winner of a Fakenham bumper on her only start last term, the daughter of Luso went down by only a neck on her hurdling bow to the very useful Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained L'Accordioniste at Uttoxeter in October before returning to the Midlands venue four weeks later to win her maiden hurdle by 22-lengths, under Sean Quinlan. Carrying her penalty, she travelled next to Exeter where she again put up an impressive display, easily accounting for her 17 rivals running out a seven-length winner and justifying favouritism. Her Exeter win was over two-mile-three-furlongs, and over a furlong further on her next start she stepped up into Listed company where she again performed with tremendous credit in finishing just over three-lengths third to the smart Banjaxed Girl on heavy ground. The speculation after that effort was for the six-year-old to head next to Cheltenham for a crack at top Irish mares Quevega and Voler La Vedette, but Bailey has given the matter some considerable thought and believes that at this stage of her career the Newbury option is a more realistic target. Irish horse racing tips would suggest that she may race in Ireland this year also. Silver Gypsy will however remain with the Cheltenham option open to her just in case a significant number of the more fancied runners choose to bypass the closing event on the first day of the festival meeting. Silver Gypsy has been left in one or two lists for the 'David Nicholson' at odds of 40/1. Quevega remains a solid 5/4 favourite with Voler La Vedette offered at up to 7/1, together with the up-and-coming Sparky May.

Whateley a potential contender for leading Cheltenham owner Posted: 09 Feb 2011 05:55 AM PST The name Diana Whateley might not be immediately recognisable to everyday racegoers or punters on National Hunt racing, but the owner who has at least 16 horses in training at present (12 with Philip Hobbs) is not without a chance of landing a hatful of Cheltenham Festival 2011 success at next month's stellar four-day fixture, writes Elliot Slater. Last year Whateley's Menorah carried off the Supreme Novices' hurdle and this term appears to have very strong claims indeed of being crowned champion hurdler. In everything he has done so far this term Menorah has looked championship class and will surely run a massive race on March 15. Other Whateley-owned horses include Wishfull Thinking, winner of the Grade 3 Murphy Group Handicap chase at Cheltenham recently where he got the better of Calgary Bay. The eight-year-old is a contender for the RSA Chase and also has the option of the Jewson Novices' Chase if the ground comes up soft. Another potential Jewson Chase candidate to run in Whateley's colours is Captain Chris, a half-length second to Medermit in the Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novices' Chase at Sandown recently, although a decision has yet to be taken as to whether he goes for the 'Jewson' or the Arkle Chase, over the minimum trip of two miles so anyone looking for Cheltenham tips will need to keep an eye on this. With Nicene Creed a possible for the Neptune Investment Management Hurdle on day two of the festival, Tarablaze still under consideration for the RSA Chase, Keki Buku an outsider for the Arkle or a contender for one of the handicap events, as well as a number of other possible runners, the name of Diana Whateley could easily jump to prominence alongside JP McManus, Andy Stewart, Clive Smith and Trevor Hemmings, at what promises to be a very exciting fixture for the owner and her husband Graham.

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