Monday, April 23, 2012

Sports World

---

Flynn shapes like potential decent staying novice chaser next term Posted: 23 Apr 2012 08:22 AM PDT Kempton's final jumps card of the current campaign was generally a run-of-the-mill affair, unless you were following the Kempton odds, but the victory of the Philip Hobbs-trained Fighting Flynn did not pass unnoticed, as he got off the mark over hurdles at the fifth time of asking. He looks to be heading very much in the right direction, writes Elliot Slater. Sent off the 15/8 market leader for the Flag Soprema Waterproofing Classic Novices' Hurdle, the seven-year-old, who only made his belated racecourse debut in November of last year, was sent straight into the lead by Tom O'Brien. He looked to have a big fight on his hands at the second last, when joined by Nicky Henderson's strong travelling horse, Top of the Range. O'Brien's mount dug in though, and forged on again after the last, eventually running out a three-quarters-of-a-length winner from Henrietta Knight's fast finishing, Ballypatrick, as Top Of The Range faded into third.  The further they went, the better Hobbs' gelding travelled, and having shown the right attitude over this two-mile-five-furlong trip, there is every reason to believe that three miles and a crack at the larger obstacles, next term, should hold no terrors for the still relatively unexposed stayer. O'Brien suggested after the race that all Fighting Flynn does is "stay and stay and stay", and this sort will surely be given plenty of schooling after his summer break, before returning next term in the guise of a first season novice chaser. Flynn could well turn out to be one to follow, having shown ability prior to his Kempton win, when second at Ascot, in December, and when a respectable third at Newbury, last month, in what might well turn out to be a contest worth keeping an eye on.

Arc de Triomphe the target again for brilliant Snow Fairy Posted: 23 Apr 2012 08:08 AM PDT Ed Dunlop's tremendously popular Snow Fairy is likely to have a repeat bid for the Group 1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp, in October, at the top of her agenda, once again, having run so well in last year's renewal, when a fast-finish third to the German star, Danedream, writes Elliot Slater. Although still on the 'easy list', after sustaining a leg injury whilst preparing to defend the Hong Kong Cup title, the year before, the daughter of Intikhab is reported to be progressing as expected, and should return to the fray sometime in the summer for a similar campaign to last term. She needed the run when fourth in the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown, before running two mighty races to chase home Midday in the Nassau Stakes at Glorious Goodwood. She then went down with all guns blazing, when only narrowly failing to peg back the massive So You Think in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown, in September. After failing to get the best of runs  under Frankie Dettori, the five-year-old came flying through to finish a tremendous third at Longchamp, before again running very well indeed when a close third to Cirrus des Aigles in the Champion Stakes at Ascot, a few weeks later.  Winner of the Queen Elizabeth II Commemorative Cup at Kyoto in 2010, following her victories in both the Epsom and Irish Oaks, that term, Snow Fairy returned to Japan and produced a sensational late burst to pass a dozen rivals inside the final furlong. The win was her second in as many years. She was foiled in her bid to win in Hong King for the second successive year, by her training setback. Dunlop appears convinced that all the old ability is there, and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe would rarely have had a more popular winner, should the outstanding filly return to Paris in glory, in October. However, Frankel is currently the favourite for the title in Arc de Triomphe betting.

You are subscribed to email updates from Sports World To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610