The Horse racing thread

[Lecale2]

Terrible carry on at New Bury!

[Donnellys Hollow]

Surreal.

There'll be a big fallout after this. Connections will have to be compensated.

Plenty of drama at Leopardstown too. Micky D looked to be going ominously well when Quel Esprit stopped him dead in his tracks. Hard to know what they'll do with him now.

[Lecale2]

Racing abandoned at New Bury.

[Hardy]

What happened? They're saying two horses killed in the parade ring.

[Donnellys Hollow]

Possibly some sort of electric current under the parade ring. One of the lads was saying that he was getting a shock when leading his horse around.

[Hardy]

 

[Boycey]

From Atheraces website

Racing was delayed at Newbury in extraordinary circumstances after Fenix Two and Marching Song collapsed and died in the parade ring before the first race.

An inquiry and immediate post-mortems were announced, with the reasons for the deaths unknown amid speculation the horses died from some form of electric shock emanating from underneath the paddock. Some horses had already made it down to the start and there were reports that others had "wobbled" on entering the paddock.

Nicky Henderson was quick to withdraw his runner Kid Cassidy, while Andy Turnell, trainer of Marching Song, said: "It looks like they've been electrocuted. My fellow seemed perfectly all right and I was about to leg him up but he just went straight down."

Marching Song's part-owner Graham Thorner said: "I was very fond of him and he had great potential. To a layman with no evidence, you would say it was electrical. The lad who was with him was saying 'I'm getting an electric shock off this horse'.

"The horses were kicking out at something and it seemed to be in an area leaving the paddock. It can't be coincidence four horses have done the same thing and two have died, all in the same area. Three people said they were getting a shock off the horse. I hope we find out what it was but it doesn't bring the horses back."

Jonjo O'Neill, trainer of Fenix Two, said: "Kid Cassidy was in front and he took a turn. We thought he was bucking and kicking and he went down on his knees then he seemed to be OK. Mine reared up and we couldn't get him back, it was like he was stuck to the ground. It was the weirdest thing I've ever seen in my life."

Henderson said: "About a minute before it happened, Kid Cassidy was walking in the same corner of the paddock. I had my back turned but my daughter said 'your horse has gone down'.

"He got back up again and he went to the start. All the horses at the start had their hearts checked and he was fine, but he was desperately keen so I decided to take him out. Electrocution is the most obvious possibility. Nobody is to blame really, but I think you'd only really find out when they've done a post-mortem."

Stipendiary steward Paul Barton said: "We are going to hold an inquiry and interview those connected with the horses. We are not going to use the parade ring for the rest of the meeting. The horses will parade in the pre-parade ring and leave from that point.

"The veterinary team are in charge of whatever precautions as far as the other horses are concerned. They have checked all other horses in this race."

[Louth Exile]

Chanel 4 racing have been reporting it in a style reminscent of Sky News!
"Dick France Novel" is the common phrase being used.
Having said all that, it was shocking stuff!

I have a habit of picking Joncol on the wrong days and not on the right, hope I get it right for once today. Zaidpour bubble was well and truly burst

[sammymaguire]

Oscars Well ran well on it's debut lto so should come on well in the 3.25 today

Didn't disappoint 

Wasn't around this morning to give the heads up on this lads but it's 6/1 for the Neptune Novice hurdle now from 25s for a reason 

[Louth Exile]

Yip, backed Joncol on the wrong day again! I wonder if big Joe and the boys have any regrets over selling Kempes now! I thought the horse needed good ground!! There is no doubt that if he improves from that, on good ground in Cheltenham we have a live Irish prospect for the Gold Cup? The way he finished would suggest that 3miles 2f won't be a problem.

[Donnellys Hollow]

That horse is a freak. He's by Intikhab out of a Royal Academy mare (both were milers). On breeding he shouldn't get next nor near three miles but he's been a revelation since being upped in trip. McCoy will be raging he stayed in England today!

Plenty of Irish Cheltenham hopefuls being examined today. Really liked Unaccompanied. I had Oscars Well down as a stayer so he really took me by surprise. We'll hold a strong hand in the 2m5 novice. Not too impressed with Finians Rainbow at Warwick. Hopefully he can improve his jumping with Geraghty back on board.

[Louth Exile]

For those who back trends, I've just noticed that 7 of the last 8 winners for the 3.50 race at Navan have been favourites. The other one being only 100/30 and the very handy Snowy Morning! Favourite today likely to be a shade of odds on today though.
http://www.irishracing.com/cards/v5card099201102131550.htm

[boojangles]

For those who back trends, I've just noticed that 7 of the last 8 winners for the 3.50 race at Navan have been favourites. The other one being only 100/30 and the very handy Snowy Morning! Favourite today likely to be a shade of odds on today though.
http://www.irishracing.com/cards/v5card099201102131550.htm

1. Quito De La Roque (FR)  Evens Fav 7 11 - 8 D N Russell
Colm A Murphy
-
   
2  4  4. Royal De La Thinte (FR)  5/2 2Fav 6 11 - 3t A E Lynch
J T R Dreaper
-
   
3    5. Slippers Percy 25/1

[Donnellys Hollow]

Hope he goes for the National Hunt Chase at the festival. O'Leary already has Magnanimity for the Sun Alliance.

[maddog]

Was passed info on some nag called wymott which is supposedly Cheltenham bound and considered to be a "certainty", as if there is such a thing at the festival.
Anyone know anything about it ?