@CheltenhamRaces French stars lined up to raid The International at Cheltenham next month

High-profile French challengers Gemix and Seabreeze d'Ho intend to test their Cheltenham Festival credentials in two of the feature hurdle races on the second day of The International, Saturday, December 14, at the Home of Jump Racing.

Trainer Nicolas Bertran de Balanda is hoping Gemix can lay down an early marker for the Grade One Ladbrokes World Hurdle in March when the five-year-old lines up in the £40,000 Grade Two Osborne House Relkeel Hurdle over an extended two and a half miles.

Gemix announced himself as one of Europe's leading hurdlers with a commanding eight-length success over reigning Ladbrokes World Hurdle hero Solwhit in the French Champion Hurdle, the Grade One Grande Course de Haies d'Auteuil over three miles, one and a half furlongs at Auteuil on June 9.

The horse, who likes to make the running, finished third in the three-mile Grade One Grand Prix d'Automne at Auteuil on November 2, beaten a length and a quarter by the Nick Williams-trained Reve De Sivola.

Bertran de Balanda, who visited Cheltenham during The Open, reported: "Gemix is on course for the Relkeel Hurdle. He schooled over British-style hurdles for the first time at Maisons-Laffitte on Tuesday and went very well.

"He ran well at Auteuil at the start of the month, but struggled on the heavy ground towards the end of the race.

"I thought the ground at Cheltenham was absolutely perfect and it is much better than at Auteuil at this time of year - Gemix will love that. The course itself is very different and, although I think he will handle it, we can't be sure until we try.

"We are happy with the slight drop back in trip because it is his first time in England and they normally go a good pace.

"I think Gemix is as good as any of the other hurdlers around in France and I think he will be better on nicer ground. He showed very good form in June when he beat Solwhit, which proved he is a very good horse.

"Providing he runs well, we will be looking at the World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival."

Cheltenham Racecourse is keen to encourage French runners to participate at the course and provided the British hurdles that Gemix schooled over recently at Maisons-Laffitte under regular rider David Cottin. These hurdles will be available to all trainers thinking of having runners at the course.

Seabreeze d'Ho is targeting the £130,000 Grade Two StanJames.com International Hurdle over two miles and a furlong, a leading trial for the Grade One Stan James Champion Hurdle at The Festival in March.

Christian Le Gaillard's charge was last seen finishing 10th of 13 when going beyond two and a half miles for the first time in the Grade Two Prix Leon Olry-Roederer at Auteuil on November 17.

The seven-year-old had only finished out of the first three once in seven previous starts over hurdles and created a good impression when recording a pair of Listed handicap hurdle successes at Auteuil on October 19 and November 3 respectively.

He also enjoyed a productive campaign on the Flat this year, winning five of his eight starts.

Le Gaillard, based in Naizin, Brittany, has 14 horses in training and the former apprentice continues to ride on the Flat.

He took over responsibility for Seabreeze d'Ho in 2010 after the horse was being rested following a leg injury and shares ownership.

Seabreeze d'Ho returned to racing in October, 2012 and his handler, who began training in 1985, revealed about his first British runner: "It was Seabreeze d'Ho's fourth hurdle race in quick succession last time and I think that reflected in his performance. It was in very testing ground and stretched his stamina to his maximum.

"He has come out of that race extremely well and is in flying form which is why we have decided to make the trip to Cheltenham.

"He has good form here in France and, whilst we hope he will run well, we are also coming for the experience as it will be our first time at Cheltenham and we are told that the atmosphere is amazing.

"I don't think that he will have much trouble adapting to the British-style hurdles, or the track. My gallops are hilly and in Brittany the racecourses are much more undulating than say in Paris. I imagine that they are the most like Cheltenham in France.

"He will also really appreciate the better ground he will encounter. James Reveley will school him before the race in England. We will most likely take the ferry from Cherbourg to Portsmouth and arrive a few days beforehand.

"I am already thinking about The Festival in March, but obviously I want things to go well here first and it will be a good test for him."

About The International

The International takes place at Cheltenham on Friday, December 13 and Saturday, December 14, offering more than £520,000 in prize money over the two days.

Key races include the £130,000 Grade Two StanJames.com International, a leading trial for the Stan James Champion Hurdle at The Festival, the £100,000 Grade Three December Gold Cup, the £45,000 Grade Three Majordomo Hospitality Handicap Chase and the £40,000 Grade Two Osborne House Relkeel Hurdle.

The Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Steeple Chase also takes place over Cheltenham's unique Cross Country Course and completes Europe's Crystal Cup Challenge.

@hkjc Double the Power for Ireland in the LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint

A double dose of Power will hit Hong Kong on Friday morning when Ireland's leading speedsters Sole Power and Slade Power touch down at Chek Lap Kok airport ahead of the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races at Sha Tin on Sunday, 8 December.

The Edward Lynam-trained duo will bid to secure a first European victory in the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m), in which last year's winner Lord Kanaloa will attempt to follow-up for Japan and snare a sixth career G1 success: only Falvelon (2000 & 2001) and the great Silent Witness (2003 & 2004) have won the race back-to-back.

With international G1 scorers like Hong Kong's Lucky Nine and Jwala from Britain alongside top local sprinters such as Eagle Regiment, Charles The Great, Frederick Engels, Go Baby Go and Sterling City, The Turf World Championships' 14-runnerspeed test promises to be a cracker.

"The LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint has not been the best race for the Europeans but if you don't try, you won't succeed," said Lynam, who saddled Sole Power to run ninth behind Lucky Nine in the 2011 edition.

His stable stalwart is no stranger to overseas travel. Sole Power's last start in Ireland came back in August 2011 and his 18 runs since then have taken him on regular excursions to Britain, as well as Hong Kong, France and twice to Dubai. The four-year-old Slade Power is facing his first long-haul assignment.

"Slade Power and Sole Power left the yard on Wednesday (November 27) and are on their way to Hong Kong. They are in good form and the trip over should not be a problem," said Lynam of his stars, who both sport the colours of owner Sabena Power.

"You just hope they travel well and perform to their best on the day. They are going over there very fit - all their main work is done and they will just keep ticking over. The main thing is to keep them healthy and well and make sure they do not get dehydrated."

Lynam, who trains his string in County Meath, has successfully plotted two major raids on Britain this season with his stars and is hoping to rewrite the record book that shows Britain's Benbaun in 2006 as the only European raider to have made the frame in the LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint.

Sole Power, the long-time stable stalwart, notched his second career G1 in the King's Stand Stakes (1000m) at Royal Ascot in June - his first came in the Nunthorpe Stakes at York in 2010. The emerging Slade Power earned a deserved big one in the G2 British Champions Sprint (1200m) at Ascot in October to cap an eight-race campaign that yielded three wins and two G1 placings - second in the Haydock Sprint Cup (1200m) and third in the July Cup (1200m). 

"Slade Power came out of Ascot really well and there was not a bother on him. I thought it was a good, tough performance on ground that would have been softer than ideal. He only sweats up going down to the start. I would be more worried if he didn't because that's just him. He will love the ground in Hong Kong as he ran very well in the July Cup (third) on fast ground.

"Sole Power ran well in the Abbaye (sixth) on ground that was too soft for him, and he will also love the ground out there."

Whilst Slade Power has proven adept at 1200m and around a left-hand turn, Sole Power has something to prove on both fronts. All of the six-year-old's seven career wins have been achieved down a straight 1000m and of his six attempts at 1200m, his only two placed efforts came back in his juvenile days in 2009.

"We just hope that as he is a bit older and wiser he will get the trip. He ran well in the July Cup (fifth) over six furlongs this summer and with more luck he would have finished in the first three," observed Lynam.

"They have both earned the right to run so we will give it a go and are very happy with them. Providing they get a nice draw, I would be expecting good performances from both of them."

To find out more about the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races, The Turf World Championships, visit:

http://campaign.hkjc.com/en/2013-hkir/2013-hkir-index.aspx?b_cid=1314LHKIR

Trainer Richard Fahey wins main All-Weather Championships race at Lingfield Park & Mull Of Killough may go for Coral Winter Derby

2.35pm £19,000 Coral App Download From The App Store Handicap, 1m 2f, Polytrack

There was a thrilling finish to the 10-furlong Coral App Download From The App Store Handicap, with the Richard Fahey-trained Spirit Of The Law (14/1), ridden by apprentice George Chaloner, holding on by a nose from Lowther (16/1). The 3/1 favourite Marshgate Lane finished third of the 10 runners, a length and a quarter behind the second.

The main race of the day at Lingfield Park, with prize money of £19,000, was run in a time of 2m 2.58s.

Fahey commented: "Spirit Of The Law has had a long Flat season and this was his third win of the year. I had planned to give him a break after today's run but we will see.

"The new All-Weather Championships seem to be generating some bit of excitement. I would like to think I would have a runner on All-Weather Championships Finals Day on Good Friday but it has all been a bit of rush this season and we will be better organised next time around."

Spirit Of The Law was the 164th British winner of the year for the North Yorkshire trainer while Chaloner needs just one more success to reduce his apprentice claim from 5lb to 3lb.

Mull Of Killough May Go For Coral Winter Derby

Newmarket-based trainer Jane Chapple-Hyam, successful at Lingfield Park today with the Ted Durcan-ridden Jungle Bay in the Compare Bookmakers At bookmakers.co.uk Handicap (1.30pm), revealed afterwards that her stable star, Mull Of Killough, could race in the Group Three Coral Winter Derby on March 22 at Lingfield Park.

Last time out, Mull Of Killough finished a close fourth in a blanket finish to the Group One Emirates Stakes over a mile at Flemington, Australia, on November 9.

Chapple-Hyam said: "He ran well and is back home now - he is turned out today and has a good hour on the walker in the mornings.

"He will either come here for the Winter Derby or go for the Earl Of Sefton (at Newmarket in April).

"Mull Of Killough finished fifth in the Singapore Cup and went to Chicago for the Arlington Million so he got a lot of air miles this year.

"He is turning eight so we have got to look after him and pick his races, but he is thriving."  

There will be more coverage of the All-Weather Championships from Kempton Park this evening.

Horses qualify for the six championship contests on All-Weather Championships Finals Day (Good Friday, April 18, 2014) by running in a minimum of three races at Britain's All-Weather tracks - three owned by ARC, Lingfield Park, Southwell and Wolverhampton, and The Jockey Club's Kempton Park - between October 26 and April 12 or else by succeeding in one of the 16 Win & You're In races.

Aussie Reigns for Knight in Kempton Park Listed race

6.00pm £40,000 Listed £500 Free Bets At Betdaq Wild Flower Stakes 1m 4f Polytrack

Trainer William Knight enjoyed success with Aussie Reigns and fourth place with Modernstone, his two runners, in the £40,000 Listed £500 Free Bets At Betdaq Wild Flower Stakes (6.00pm) over a mile and a half on Polytrack at Kempton Park on Wednesday, November 27.

 

Aussie Reigns, who has improved more than 20lb this year, was held up sixth of the seven runners by Andrea Atzeni.

The 8/1 chance moved up entering the straight and came with a strong run to lead a furlong out.

Aussie Reigns gained a decisive advantage and finished a length ahead of Dick Doughtywylie at the line, with three quarters of a length to the third Banoffee and a half-length to Modernstone. His time was 2m 32.79s for 12 furlongs on Polytrack. The 7/4 market leader Fattsota came home last.

The three-year-old son of Aussie Rules finished third the previous time to the highly-regarded Pethers Moon in the Listed Winners Are Welcome At Betdaq Floodlit Stakes over the same course and distance on November 6.

William Knight commented: "I was really pleased with Aussie Reigns. He seems to have improved as he has stepped up in trip.

"It was a good performance tonight even though it was probably not the strongest of Listed races.

"He has won it quite convincingly. He needs to come through horses as that keeps him interested and Andrea (Atzeni) rides him very well.

"Aussie Reigns has good form on turf as well as the All-Weather. He will hopefully be invited to go to Dubai now because I think he will be suited to the racing out there.

"I would like to get him qualified for the All-Weather Championships Finals Day at Lingfield Park on Good Friday so it is a shame this race was not a Win & You're In contest.

"He would need to have one more run on the All-Weather and we will have to see if we can fit that in."  

Horses qualify for the six championship contests on All-Weather Championships Finals Day (Good Friday, April 18, 2014) by running in a minimum of three races at Britain's All-Weather tracks - three owned by ARC, Lingfield Park, Southwell and Wolverhampton, and The Jockey Club's Kempton Park - between October 26 and April 12 or else by succeeding in one of the 16 Win & You're In races.

7.00pm £19,000 Betdaq 1st UK Race Commission Free Handicap 6f Polytrack

Lancelot Du Lac, who finished third to Valbchek in the Listed Best Odds At bookmakers.co.uk Golden Rose Stakes at Lingfield Park on November 16 (a Win & You're In race), did the form no harm by winning well.

The three-year-old Shamardal colt, trained by Dean Ivory and carrying second to top-weight of 9st 5lb, was ridden confidently by Jim Crowley, coming from off the pace to lead just inside the final furlong.

The winning margin was three quarters of a length and Lancelot Du Lac took the six-furlong Betdaq 1st UK Race Commission Free Handicap in 1m 11.28s.

 

@cheltenhamraces Johns Spirit has December Gold Cup option

Jonjo O'Neill's Paddy Power Gold Cup hero Johns Spirit is among 35 entries for the £100,000 December Gold Cup, run at Cheltenham on the second day of The International, Saturday, December 14.

O'Neill completed the Paddy Power Gold Cup and December Gold Cup double in 2006 with Exotic Dancer, who became only the third horse to win both contests in the same season after Senor El Betrutti (1997) and Pegwell Bay (1988).

Johns Spirit, owned by Christopher Johnston, is unbeaten in two starts this season at Cheltenham under Richie McLernon, having also captured the £50,000 Equus-Fine Dining At The Festival Handicap Chase impressively at The Showcase on October 19.

The six-year-old will be attempting a unique Cheltenham handicap chase treble if he goes for the December Gold Cup, following his victory in the £160,000 Paddy Power Gold Cup, feature race of The Open, by three quarters of a length on Saturday, November 16.

O'Neill,who trains not far from Cheltenham Racecourse at Jackdaws Castle,reported: "I don't know if Johns Spirit will run in the December Gold Cup - it is too early to say.

"We will wait and see how he gets over the Paddy Power Gold Cup first. So far he seems OK, but he has not really done anything since.

"Obviously, we were delighted with his performance in the Paddy Power Gold Cup, but he has gone up nine pounds and that is a lot of weight.

"I don't think he has improved this year, he has just got stronger. He is a six-year-old and is still a relatively young horse."

Entries for the December Gold Cup, run over two miles and five furlongs, also include Colour Squadron, Attaglance and Rajdhani Express, who finished second, fourth and fifth in the Paddy Power Gold Cup.

Another local trainer Tom George has entered French import Mail De Bievre following a promising fourth on his seasonal reappearance at Auteuil, France, on November 10. The eight-year-old posted some high-class efforts over fences during the spring of 2010 when trained in France by Jehan Bertran de Balanda, winning a Grade Three by 15 lengths and a Grade Two by eight lengths.

He finished fourth on his debut for George in the Grade Two Denman Chase over three miles at Newbury in February, 2013, after almost 18 months off the track, but proved no match for Sprinter Sacre in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at The Festival in March.

George, based in Slad, revealed: "We have given Mail De Bievre an entry in the December Gold Cup and we are thinking about the race. The handicapper has given him a bit of a chance after dropping him a few more pounds, so that has opened up a few more options.

"He has come out of Auteuil OK. He was still there jumping the last and just got a bit tired on the run-in. It was a platform to build on and that's what we need to do.

"He has only had two runs in Britain and we have not seen the best of him because they were on the back of an 18-month break due to an injury.

"The handicapper has given him a chance, but he needed to and now the horse wants two or three good runs under his belt to get back into the swing of things." 

Champion Jump trainer Nicky Henderson has five entries, the most of any handler, headed by Shloer Chase victor Kid Cassidy and Captain Conan, who was last seen beating Tap Night by three and a quarter lengths in the Grade One Betfred Manifesto Novices' Chase at Aintree in April. The Lambourn handler is the most successful current trainer in the December Gold Cup with three victories, courtesy of Quantitativeeasing (2011), Iris Royal (2003) and Fondmort (2002).

Last year's winner Unioniste is among a strong quartet for trainer Paul Nicholls. He could be joined by Down Royal Grade Two scorer Rolling Aces, former smart novice Ghizao and Grandioso, who has not been seen since annexing the Grade Two Pendil Novices' Chase at Kempton Park in February.

2012 Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up The Giant Bolster has been given an entry, while Champion Court may bid to bounce back from a disappointing seventh when favourite for the Paddy Power Gold Cup.

Venetia Williams could be represented by Katenko and impressive Sandown victor Kapga de Cerisy, both owned by Andrew Brooks.

The Paul Nolan-trained Noble Prince, who landed the Jewson Novices' Chase at The Festival in 2011, is one of two Irish-trained entries and returned to form with a comfortable success in a Listed chase at Thurles on November 7. He could joined by Irish Grand National third Home Farm from the stable of Arthur Moore. The last Irish-trained winner of the December Gold Cup was Sir Oj in 2005.

Other notable entries include course scorer Wishfull Thinking, the Allan Stennett-owned pair of Ballynagour and Salut Flo, and Easter Meteor, who held every chance when falling at the penultimate fence in the Paddy Power Gold Cup.

Weights for the December Gold Cup are revealed on Wednesday, December 4.

About The International

The International takes place at Cheltenham on Friday, December 13 and Saturday, December 14, offering more than £520,000 in prize money over the two days.

Key races include the £130,000 Grade Two StanJames.com International, a leading trial for the Stan James Champion Hurdle at The Festival, the £100,000 Grade Three December Gold Cup, the £45,000 Grade Three Majordomo Hospitality Handicap Chase and the £40,000 Grade Two Osborne House Relkeel Hurdle.

The Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Steeple Chase also takes place over Cheltenham's unique Cross Country Course and completes Europe's Crystal Cup Challenge.

@HKJC Jwala gunning for European sprint glory at Sha Tin

  

The past history of the LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint does not make pretty reading for potential European challengers. Since this great dash was instituted in 1999 plenty of champion speedsters have headed eastwards in search of this huge and prestigious accolade but none have succeeded, not yet anyway.

That drought will not last forever, surely, and Jwala, a half-sister to the G1 1200m winner Airwave, is a fascinating European challenger for the 2013 version of The Turf World Championships' sprinting prize at Sha Tin.

This four-year-old bay filly is trained by Robert Cowell in peaceful countryside just outside Newmarket and the stable's website provides a pretty big clue as to exactly how this smallish operation (35-40 horses) has built a substantial reputation in the UK and beyond. 'Sprint to Success,' it says.

After a cracking year in 2012 the stable's team that was let loose on the big speed prizes this year was an impressive one, and, though not many race fans would have bet on it at the time, it was the quietly progressive Jwala who would become the Cowell sprint star of 2013 with an ambitious Hong Kong destination now on the menu.

"Jwala's preparation for Hong Kong has gone well. She's in good form and ready to go," says Cowell of this filly, who hit the headlines when showing sparkling acceleration to beat 16-rivals in what is undoubtedly one of Europe's leading sprints - the G1 Nunthorpe Stakes (1000m) at York in August. 

She had gone into that event an unloved 40-1 shot with even her own stable companion Spirit Quartz much more fancied. There was only one winner in the closing stages, however, as Jwala powered clear of heavily-backed favourite Shea Shea who, a few months earlier, had eclipsed Hong Kong's Joy And Fun and Eagle Regiment into second and third in the G1 Al Quoz Sprint (1000m) on Dubai World Cup night at Meydan.

The fact that a close third at York was Shea Shea's old rival, the dual G1 winner Sole Power, suggested the victory was no piece of luck, and with neither the trainer of the second or the third offering excuses, one can easily respect this post-race observation from the winning trainer: "I promise you this was no fluke," said Cowell as he reminded the media that Jwala had whacked her head on the gates prior to a dismal performance at Goodwood previously.

Jwala completed her 2013 campaign when fourth in another of Europe's great sprints, October's G1 Prix de L'Abbaye at Longchamp - a race run at a brutal pace despite the soft ground.

"She was half a length in front at the furlong pole but the ground just caught her out. The first, second and third were all soft ground specialists and she's not so we were delighted," says Cowell. Delighted and also, one suspects, reflecting ruefully on what Parisian glory might have come in their direction on a quicker surface.

As far as Hong Kong is concerned wishful thinking will dictate that supporters of Jwala would have preferred that the distance of this sprint championship had not been raised to 1200m back in 2006, all her five wins having come during her 12 starts over 1000m.

"The step up to six furlongs is an obvious concern and we aren't particularly confident that she will get it, but she has a relaxed style of racing and will give herself every chance," says the trainer whose observations finish on an optimistic note: "Going round a bend won't be a problem."

One of the many wonderful stories surrounding this year's LONGINES Hong Kong spectacular regards Jwala's rider Steve Drowne who was catapulted back into the headlines after partnering her to that York victory.  Drowne had fainted one day in 2012, and though it didn't appear to be a big issue at the time, it resulted in him enduring a year off the track and even losing his driving licence.

At one point his career had looked over but this experienced veteran - who had partnered about 400 winners in his previous five seasons and has won no less than eleven races at Britain's massively prestigious Royal Ascot meeting - has clawed his way back. Jwala has already made a big contribution, but she would take this popular rider to the top of the world if this uncomplicated filly with a high cruising speed and huge acceleration could finally strike sprinting gold for Europe at Sha Tin.

 

@GhantootPolo Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club and Abu Dhabi Sports Council to mark UAE National Day with a commemorative polo match

Marking the UAE's 42^nd National Day, Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club to unveil the largest UAE flag

  

Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Falah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club, the Club will be holding an exhibition polo match between Ghantoot Team and Abu Dhabi Sports Council team on Friday, November 29, 2013, to mark the UAE’s 42^nd National Day.

 

Several activities will be held on the sidelines of the exhibition game to attract public attendance. The gates will open at 3:00 p.m. for the public who are invited to attend free of charge, followed by the national anthem and a show to be performed by Dubai Military Band.

The display of the largest flag in the UAE will start at 10:00 a.m, in Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club measuring 2500m. Long and 6m. wide, under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Falah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Club. The flag has been designed by the Emirati young man Abdullah Al Hosani, the display of the flag will be with the assistance of Sanid Programme and Zayed Implant Voluntary Group.

Ghantoot team will be made up of Nasser Al Shamsi, Nasser Al Dhaheri, Faris Al Yabhouni and the Argentinean player Diego Cossio. Opposing team will be made up of Ahmed Al Nuaimi, Abdullah bin Desmal, Ali Al Merri and the professional player Oscar Colombres.

It is expected that the match will draw big crowds with the existence of a number of experienced UAE national players playing alongside professionals.

The exhibition match is held by the Club shortly after the charity match of pink polo which was held by the Club in support of the breast cancer awareness drive in cooperation with the Health Authority-Abu Dhabi and Abu Dhabi Sports Council.

On the occasion of the National Day, H.E. Saeed Bin Houfan Al Mansouri, Vice-Chairman and Mr. Ahmed Al Nuaimi the Managing director of Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club, congratulated H.H. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, as well as the Supreme Council members and Rulers of the other emirates and the people of the United Arab Emirates.

H.E. Saeed Bin Houfan affirmed that the celebration of the National Day holds special meaning and significance, which prompted the Club to hold a commemorative match and several other events in order to celebrate the occasion with the public.

He also expressed his thanks and appreciation to H.H. Sheikh Falah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan for sponsoring the exhibition match. “The Club sponsors all events and activities which are in the interest of society, out of our belief in the significant role played by sport in general and polo in particular in attracting members of the masses who are keen fans of the sport. The Club also sponsored the breast cancer awareness drive through the polo sport, and we are prepared to provide support to all segments of society through the polo sport in our Club,” he added.

Mr. Ahmed Al Nuaimi said: “We are honored to host this tournament under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Falah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Club, and to support Abu Dhabi Sports Council, which is the least we can offer for our beloved country on this occasion which we cherish dearly. We sincerely hope that the public of all segments, UAE nationals or expatriates, would attend on Friday to enjoy this tournament and watch the display of the largest UAE flag, as well as enjoying the various events which will associate this massive sports festival, as a host of prizes and gifts will be distributed to the attendees.”

@PoloAtThePalace TEAM BUENOS AIRES RETAIN TITLE AT COUTTS POLO AT THE PALACE 2013

Coutts Polo at the Palace defending champions, Team Buenos Aires, celebrate victory number two last Saturday after a thrilling performance against home team Coutts Abu Dhabi in a nail biting 6 – 4 victory.

After a cautious start from both teams in the weekend’s finale, 2012 winners Team Buenos Aires were first to find their stride with exceptional play from Guillermo Cuitino, whose long-range shooting took his team into half-time four goals ahead.

Despite a spirited fight-back performance from Facundo Castagnola, whose attacking play brought his team within two goals, Coutts Abu Dhabi missed out on the title for a second year with Team Buenos Aires shooting four unanswered goals in the second chukka.

His Highness Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, presented the cherished Coutts Cup to Cuitino and fellow Buenos Aires team members Habtoor Al Habtoor and Santiago Gomes Romero, who was also awarded this year’s ‘most valuable player.’ 

“After a spectacular plate final with Faberge Team London and Maserati Team Milan going 8 – 8 into extra time, only a wonder goal from Mario Gomez Duran could separate the two teams,” comments Rory Heron, City Events CEO.

“Today’s game was the perfect end to an enchanting weekend of world-class sport, fashion and gastronomy in the most iconic of settings, the Emirates Palace.”

Coutts team Abu Dhabi’s loss against their Argentinean rivals for the second year running was a bitter pill to swallow in front of their home crowd, who had travelled from across the United Arab Emirates to watch the showdown unfold.

Meanwhile, sell-out audiences in the VIP Polo Garden enjoyed Maserati test-drive experiences and delectable picnic boxes designed by Emirates Palace’s master chefs in the comfort of the Palace’s sumptuous grounds.

Post-play entertainment in the pool-side Breeze Lounge provided the perfect antidote to a day of fast-paced action, with international DJ Fabrizio Marra setting the tone for a glamorous evening.

Michael Cinders, a long-term UAE resident,  was soaking up the stray rays of sun in the VIP Polo Garden: “This year’s event was quintessentially Abu Dhabi.  Today’s dramatic finals had me on tenterhooks throughout.  I’m looking forward to attending next year’s event already. ”

Coutts Polo at the Palace 2013 was organized by City Events, who organize the City Polo series.  For more information visit www.citypoloseries.com

Knight doubly represented in Wild Flower Stakes

  

Trainer William Knight will saddle Aussie Reigns and Modernstone in the £40,000 Listed £500 Free Bets At Betdaq Wild Flower Stakes (6.00pm) over a mile and a half at Kempton Park on Wednesday, November 27, the latest high-profile race during the new All-Weather Championships.

Aussie Reigns has improved more than 20lb this year and enjoyed turf handicap successes at Windsor and Newmarket in May and June respectively. The three-year-old improved again when last seen, coming home third behind the highly-regarded Pethers Moon in the Listed Winners Are Welcome At Betdaq Floodlit Stakes over the course and distance on November 6.

Knight, who trains near Arundel in Sussex, reported: "It was a good run from Aussie Reigns last time in what looked a strong race for the grade. This looks slightly weaker and, if he can reproduce that form, he would have a chance.

"He has come out of that run well and seems in good form at home, so I'm hopeful of a good run."

Modernstone raced once at two and made a winning return after almost a year off with a comfortable length success in a mile maiden on turf at Windsor in September.

The daughter of Duke Of Marmalade followed that up with a third in handicap company at Newmarket on November 1, before a fast-finishing head second to Paris Rose in a competitive 10-furlong handicap on Polytrack at Lingfield Park on November 15.

Knight added: "Modernstone is a nicely bred filly and is in good form. Obviously, we are trying to get some black type and this could be a good opportunity for her, receiving weight from the rest of the field.

"It was a good run from her at Lingfield and she was still lightly raced going into that, so she would have learnt a lot. I am pretty sure the step up to a mile and a half will be fine and you couldn't rule her out."

Aussie Reigns, with Andrea Atzeni up, and Modernstone, partnered by Shane Kelly, will face five rivals headed by Fattsota, who was third in the Listed James Seymour Stakes at Newmarket on November 2, and Cheshire Oaks heroine Banoffee.

Dick Doughtywylie, Livia's Dream and German raider Jeanie Johnston complete the field.

A seven-race card at Kempton Park also features the £19,000 Betdaq 1st UK Race Commission Free Handicap (7.00pm, nine runners) over six furlongs. The weights are headed by Group Two scorer Tiddliwinks and progressive three-year-old Lancelot Du Lac.

Lingfield Park also races on Wednesday, November 27, with a competitive eight-race programme headlined by the £19,000 Coral App Download From The App Store Handicap (2.35pm, 10 runners) over a mile and quarter. The line up includes James Seymour Stakes runner-up Proud Chieftain, Glorious Goodwood victor Viewpoint and Listed course scorer True To Form.

The All-Weather Championships continue at Wolverhampton on Saturday, November 30, with the £45,000 Ladbrokes Handicap (8.50pm, 16 entries) over an extended mile taking centre stage.

Galician, placed in two Listed contests on the All-Weather recently, is one of three entries for Mark Johnston, while David Barron could run high-class handicapper Tres Coronas, who was last seen finishing third in the Cambridgeshire at Newmarket on September 28. Ralph Beckett could be represented by Spring Cup hero Haaf A Sixpence and Ian Williams has entered Italian Listed scorer Tellovoi.

As well as by taking a WIN & YOU'RE IN race, horses qualify for the six championship contests on All-Weather Championships Finals Day by running in a minimum of three races at Britain's All-Weather tracks - three owned by ARC, Lingfield Park, Southwell and Wolverhampton, and The Jockey Club's Kempton Park - between October 26 and April 12.

@hkjc Side Glance eyes LONGINES Hong Kong Cup glory

Side Glance has established a reputation as an admirable and consistent performer in Pattern races over the past three years, but a performer that despite his honest efforts was not quite up to the mark in Group 1 company. Those perceptions changed earlier this month when Andrew Balding's charge won the LONGINES Mackinnon Stakes (2000m), and when the six-year-old arrived in Hong Kong on Monday morning (25 November) for the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races he did so as a G1 winner with a whole new level of respect afforded him. 

 

That win puts him on a similar trajectory to another star galloper to have sported the Pearl Bloodstock silks of Qatar's Sheikh Fahad Al Thani. Dunaden had two runs in Australia in 2011 and notched a debut G1 success in the Melbourne Cup before snaring the G1 Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin. Now Side Glance heads toThe Turf World Championships on Sunday, 8 December off a two-race Australian odyssey, with a debut G1 victory also in the bag.

"Side Glance is definitely going for the LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m)," said David Redvers, Racing Manager to Pearl Bloodstock. "He did his final piece of work on Friday morning and is in great order."

The Passing Glance gelding was seeking a first win since a G3 triumph in June, 2012 when he lined up for the Mackinnon, but that statistic tells an incomplete story. This year alone Side Glance has raced with merit to finish third in the G1 Arlington Million (2000m), after failing to get a clear run at a vital juncture, and posted two smart efforts in the highest grade in Dubai early in the campaign - fourth in the Dubai World Cup (2000m) is not to be sniffed at. The same sentiment could apply to his June 2012 run behind Frankel in the G1 Queen Anne Stakes (1600m) at Royal Ascot - 11 lengths third is no disgrace when up against one of the all-time greats - and a close fourth in the 2011 G1 Woodbine Mile.

Side Glance is a proven overseas traveller, and, given his recent peak, Redvers is positive about the consistent gelding's prospects heading into the Cup.

"We go to Hong Kong in top form and I think it's exactly the right race for him. We just need to hope we get a reasonable draw and then we will leave the rest to Jamie (Spencer).

"He won the Mackinnon Stakes well and I was delighted with his performance. He ran a bit fresh when sixth in the Cox Plate because it was his first run for a while, but that put him spot on for the Mackinnon and he won in the style of a much better horse than the opposition."

Victory in the LONGINES Hong Kong Cup would be another major notch for the Qatari royal family, racing's latest great power - Olympic Glory secured the G1 QEII Stakes at Ascot in October and the imperious Treve sluiced home in the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (both owned by Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani). Treve is among the candidates for honours at the LONGINE World's Best Racehorse Ceremony on Friday, 6 December, ahead of the LONGINES HKIR.

Side Glance flew into Hong Kong from Australia in company with his fellow British raiders Red Cadeaux, Mount Athos and Dandino. That trio, fresh from running second, third and fifth respectively in the G1 Melbourne Cup, heads to the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Vase (2400m).

The LONGINES Hong Kong International Races is the final international G1 showcase in the calendar year and carries total prize money of HK$72 million for its four G1 features, the LONGINES Hong Kong Cup, the LONGINES Hong Kong Vase, the LONGINES Hong Kong Mile and the LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m ).

Four British runners arrive for the LONGINES HKIR

Side Glance, recently a Group One winner in the Mackinnon Stakes in Australia, and Red Cadeaux, Mount Athos and Dandino, who finished second, third and fifth respectively in the G1 Melbourne Cup earlier this month, arrived at Sha Tin Racecourse in the early hours today (25 November) to prepare for the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races on Sunday, 8 December.

These four runners, all representing Great Britain, are the first batch of o verseas runners to arrive in Hong Kong for this year's LONGINES HKIR.  The Andrew Balding-trained Side Glance will participate in the HK$22 million LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (G1, 2000m), while Red Cadeaux, Mount Athos and Dandino will compete for the HK$15 million LONGINES Hong Kong Vase (G1, 2400m).