@BritishPoloDay in Abu Dhabi - More great pictures @GhantootPolo

@BeachPoloCup Beach Polo Fashion

Gabriela Katiela of mamemo productions, founders and organisers of the upcoming Julius Baer Beach Polo Cup Dubai 2014 presented by Cadillac, gives us her fashion tips to make sure you’re one to be noticed amongst the crowds at the upcoming glitz-filled event.

The Beach Polo Cup Dubai is only just around the corner and for many, the number one question has got to be: “what do I wear?”

This is an event that combines a beautiful beach setting, breath-taking horses, delicious cuisine, live entertainment and an unforgettable polo competition.

So what are the fashion dos and don'ts for this prestigious event?

First of all, keep in mind that you are not attending a horse race and you are not simply going to the beach… You are going to the Julius Baer Beach Polo Cup Dubai 2014 presented by Cadillac!  The season’s most anticipated and luxurious happening!

Dressing for this occasion needs to be thought out and detailed. This event is an opportunity to display your taste and fashion sense to an international crowd. People will notice what you wear! And in this case, a fashion mistake could follow you around for a long time!

Therefore, we have provided our beloved guests with some suggestions as to what to wear to this wonderful occasion.

1.      Remember the perfect little black dress? If you can find the perfect little white dress, then you will fit right in

2.      Smart – casual is definitely the way to go…  a pair of jeans with a preppy blazer is an internationally acclaimed look for the polo games

3.      Add some colour to the occasion! We encourage you to project a colourful mood through your clothes

4.      Glitters and sparks belong to the nightclubs.  Nevertheless, if decently combined its a la mode!

5.      Remember that just because it’s called Beach Polo, it doesn’t mean you’re going to the beach!

6.      High heels are always great, but consider that you are going to a Beach Polo. Less is more and flats can be as sexy as killer heels

7.      There is nothing more elegant and attractive than a man wearing a white suit and a Panama hat!

8.      We do like fascinators but remember you’re at beach polo and not at the races!

9.      Most important – wear your smile!

Tickets are available to purchase now from Platinum List. 

Robin Hoods Bay Takes Winter Derby & Will Be Back For The Richest All-Weather Race on Good Friday

3.50pm £100,000 Group Three coral.co.uk Winter Derby - Fast-Track Qualifier, 1m 2f, Polytrack

Robin Hood's Bay (10/1), owned by Alan Pickering, trained by Ed Vaughan and ridden by Luke Morris, went one better than last year when winning the £100,000 Group Three coral.co.uk Winter Derby over 10 furlongs at Lingfield Park on Saturday, March 22.

The winner of this third Fast-Track Qualifier on the day is guaranteed a place in the £200,000 Coral Easter Classic All-Weather Middle-Distance Championship over course and distance on Good Friday, April 18, the richest race ever run on the All-Weather in Britain.

Robin Hoods Bay was held up in second last and crept into the race before coming with a good run in the straight to catch Godolphin's Windhoek (11/4, Saeed bin Suroor/Silvestre de Sousa) well inside the final furlong and win going away by three quarters of a length in 2m 1.41s. Aussie Reigns (33/1, William Knight/Adam Kirby) kept on in third, a length away, while the 7/4 favourite Grandeur (Jeremy Noseda/Ryan Moore), who broke well from stall 14, raced in fourth before fading to eighth of the 14 runners.

Vaughan, who trains Newmarket, declared: "Robin Hoods Bay has always threatened to win a big one and was a bit unlucky last year, when he got caught in running.

"I have trained him for this race, as I have said all the way through. We had a couple of little issues with him earlier on and I just wasn't able to train him conventionally.

"I have let him have 10 per cent improvement with each race. This was the day for him and now we will have a crack at the Good Friday race.

"Initially, I thought that he wasn't travelling today - he is a horse that can travel really well but he wasn't travelling as well as he can today - and that has shown that they have gone a really good pace.

"Races are always perfect when they have gone too fast. That's what this horse needs and the harder the gallop, the better he is.

"I went into this race thinking that a lot of the big guns might come back for Good Friday. The owner loves Lingfield and I think I said when this horse was rated 64 that he was the best horse I have trained. He has gone and proved it today.

"We thought today would be the big day but we will have one more crack on Good Friday. We have no reason not to go for the race and he will have a well-deserved break after that."

Luke Morris said: "Things worked out nicely for Robin Hoods Bay in the race. The plan was to ride him a bit closer but they went a proper gallop throughout so I was sitting there, taking my time.

"He has got a good turn of foot and the way the race was run played into his hands. Usually, he gives you a good guide of the pace and, because he was off the bridle early doors, it meant that they were going a proper gallop.

 "I am sure that he will be back for Good Friday now. What you have seen today is his level of ability and it's a good level."

2.40pm £45,000 Listed bookmakers.co.uk Hever Sprint Stakes - Fast-Track Qualifier, 5f, Polytrack

Stepping Point (16/1) was the decisive winner the £45,000 Listed bookmakers.co.uk Hever Sprint Stakes (2.40pm) over five furlongs, the first of three Fast-Track Qualifiers on today's Lingfield Park card.

Trained by William Muir and ridden by Martin Dwyer, the five-year-old son of Kyllachy scored by two lengths from Iptisam (8/1, James Tate/Luke Morris) on his All-Weather debut in a fast time of 57.12s.

Stepping Point was always in the first three as the eventual third Even Stevens (16/1, Scott Dixon/Freddy Tylicki) took them along and went into the lead with a furlong remaining.

The winner secures a guaranteed free place in the £150,000 bookmakers.co.uk All-Weather Sprint Championship on Good Friday, April 18, back at Lingfield Park.

Last year's winner Ladies Are Forever (the 3/1 joint favourite, Geoff Oldroyd/Robert Tart) was the unlucky horse in the race, receiving a hefty bump when turning into the straight. She finished well to be fifth, two necks and a head behind the second.

Dwyer, celebrating victory on his comeback ride following a Southwell fall from Columbian Roulette on January 3, commented: "My daughter told me that I would win on my first ride back, so it's all thanks to Daisy.

"Stepping Point did it great - he transformed in the middle of last year and has been gelded over the winter.

"He has come out firing and it was an armchair ride for me. It helps when you get a horse that travels like he does but I have done three solid weeks in Oaksey House (in Lambourn) and, if I had known that it would be that easy, I wouldn't have bothered!

"I had a bit of bad luck - it was a heavy fall - but I came out of it and it is onwards and upwards."

Muir, who sent Stepper Point back to the track after a 176-day break, said: "I haven't overdone him at home.

"I thought he was a certainty on his debut at Newbury as a two-year-old but he only beat two horses. Then I thought he would go well on his first start as a three-year-old but he finished in the middle.

"Last year, he took his first run, so I thought we would come down here under a penalty and give him a spin. He has had one gallop - Martin rode him in one piece of work and said that he was very similar to Big Buzz and Fleckerl in that he feels really well in himself and he's not 100 per cent fit but we may as well start here.

"Henry Candy asked me what I was going to do with him at the end of last year and I said that we were going to keep him and geld him. He said: "Keep these Kyllachys because they get better with age". This horse has always shown serious ability at home.

"Stepper Point has not come in his coat and he's a gelding now. When he was a colt, I could have given him a wheelbarrow of food and he would have eaten the whole lot but he is a gelding, so he was leaving a handful of food here and a handful there.

"I was saying to the owner Clive (Edginton) that we could run here and Martin won't knock him around if he blew up but as he is game and competitive he will get into a race. He walks around quiet as a lamb and he is never one to do anything so it is hard to put a handle on him.

"Martin has had a hard time. We had a few decent horses winning and then we had that race put to bed (at Southwell) - that can happen. Somebody rung me up yesterday and asked me about Martin and I said: "In life, if it doesn't kill you, it makes you stronger" and I hope that it has made him stronger.

"We will probably go to Good Friday now because there is a few quid on offer, unless the French entice us over there. We have a few options but, coming down here, I thought that we would run in this race and, if he did happen to win, it gives us the option to come back.

"Something has jumped into him coming out of the stalls because he has lost a shoe and got cuts down both sides of his near hind. As long as they don't swell up - they look superficial.

"Everybody knows that I am a nutter, but I have said it all the way through that this horse will win a Group One."

3.15pm £45,000 Listed 32Red Spring Cup - Fast-Track Qualifier, 7f, Polytrack

The second Fast-Track Qualifier was the seven-furlong £45,000 Listed 32Red Spring Cup over seven furlongs, which was won by 5/4 favourite Ertijaal (William Haggas/Paul Hanagan) who gains a guaranteed free berth in the £150,000 32Red All-Weather Three-Year-Old Championship on Good Friday.

Ertijaal, the 5/4 favourite despite being drawn on the outside in stall 13 and racing on an All-Weather surface for the first timer, broke smartly and raced keenly in the lead before settling in third.

The three-year-old Oasis Dream, having his third start after being an impressive six-length maiden winner at Yarmouth last year, led again into the straight but was all out to hold on from the fast-finishing American Hope (16/1,Mike Murphy/Shane Kelly) by a head in 1m 22.72s.

Haggas remarked about Hamdan Al Maktoum-owned colt who holds a QIPCO 2000 Guineas entry: "He has got a race under his belt. It was not a very nice draw, but he was pretty flat out at the end.

"I am very glad that we got this out of the way and it is very hard to make an assessment having just seen it. We will see it at home later but I am glad to get this first race out of the way and now we can train him properly and concentrate on him.

"Paul said the track was very slow and he got nothing out the track but he was happy enough. It was just messy - Ertijaal was a bit fresh going down and a bit restless in the stalls.

"It has been a long time since he ran and he is still very young in his mind. That will bring him on a lot, I am sure.

"He has been working nicely - he worked last week with Premio Loco and went very nicely - but he hasn't done a lot. Although he didn't blow much, we can get stuck into him now."

Hanagan, on a day trip back from Dubai, added: "I was really pleased with Ertijaal from such a bad draw. He will come on an absolute ton and he was just pricking his ears in front.

"He is a big baby - he only had two runs last year - and I was very happy with that. He feels a nice horse but it is early days."

Murphy commented: "It was a great run from American Hope and I am really thrilled.

"I said that he would come on for his last race and you can see that he is still a frame of a horse. You would like to think that he would come on again and improve for the step up to a mile.

"We will take him back and see where we go with him. He enjoyed that and I thought that we were closing down on the winner, although I would have to see the race again.

"He's a proper horse and still a big baby."

@DubaiGoldCup Habtoor Polo and Ghantoot ADCB will play the Bentley Emirates Gold Cup Final

Habtoor Polo and Ghantoot ADCB will play tomorrow the final of the Bentley Emirates Gold Cup, the most
important tournament of the UAE polo season. The final, the most important match of the Gold Cup, will start at 4 pm in the main field of the Dubai Polo &  Equestrian Club.

Habtoor Polo and Ghantoot ADCB will be, one more year, face to face in the great final.

 Picture by Gonzalo Etcheverry/DPGC2014

This two teams have been the main players in the Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series in the last two years.
Ghantoot ADCB won the 2013 Gold Cup and the Mc Laren Silver Cup this year. Habtoor Polo was  Silver Cup champions in 2013 and reached the Gold Cup finals the same season. This year, patron Mohammed Al Habtoor team won the Hildon Cup and will play again the final of the Bentley Emirates Gold Cup.

Teams are already confirmed for the great final starting at 4 pm.  abtoor Polo foursome is made by Mohammed Al Habtoor, Marcos Panelo, Francisco Elizalde and Guillermo Cuitiño.
Ghantoot ADCB line up with Ali Al Merri, Oscar Colombres, Facundo Sola and Pelayo Berazadi.
But the action in the great day of the Bentley Emirates Gold Cup will start early.
Gates at the Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club will open at 10 am.
At 1 pm a Camel Show followed by a Cheerleaders show will set up a great atmosphere for the Bentley
Emirates Gold Cup final.
Previous to the great match, Mahra Polo and Bin Drai Polo will play the Power Horse Cup Final. Patron Rashid Al Habtoor team and patron Saeed Bin Drai team will be face to face from 2 pm in field 2 of
the Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club.

INAUGURAL DUBAI DESERT TRIATHLON LAUNCHED @deserttriathlon

In another first for Dubai a new sporting event has been launched today. In what could also be a world first, the Dubai Desert Triathlon is the latest event to be introduced and is sure to attract great interest and support from sports enthusiasts.

Presented by the Dubai Sports Council, the inaugural Dubai Desert Triathlon will showcase a unique combination of two of the traditional triathlon disciplines, running and cycling, in unison with an endurance horse ride. 

The event, which will take place on Saturday April 19th at the Dubai International Endurance City (DIEC), will attract competitors from across the region eager to be a part of a new experience. Dubai International Endurance City (DIEC) is located a 40 minute drive from Dubai next to Bab Al Shams Desert Resort and Spa.

The event will kick off at 6am with an endurance horse ride of a 25km loop, followed by a 25km cycling stage on the Dubai Cycle Path, then a 5km desert run through the spectacular desert and finishing in the Dubai Endurance City.

Entry is open to anyone interested in participating in any or all of the three disciplines, as an individual triathlete or as a member of a team, provided that horse riders are registered endurance riders with a horse. Men and women, and juniors (16-18yrs), who would like to compete in a team but do not have their own are encouraged to enter in their discipline or disciplines of choice (cycling, running or horse riding) and will be linked with other entrants to form a team of similar ability.

Event partner Meydan will assist entrants by linking cyclists and runners with fully registered endurance riders and horses.

Prizes will be awarded to the fastest team, fastest cyclist, fastest runner and best conditioned horse in the categories of male, female and juniors. In addition, there will be prizes awarded for the fastest triathlete who competes in all three disciplines, also in the categories of male, female and juniors, but to be eligible for this the person must be a fully licensed rider with a horse.

As this is the first event of its kind, entries are limited based on the number of licensed horses available.  Entries will open on 11 March at www.dubaideserttriathalon.com for all runners, cyclists, teams and qualified desert triathletes.

Nasser Al Rahmah, Director of Sports Events Department at Dubai Sports Council said today “The Dubai Desert Triathlon is an innovative concept that combines endurance riding, the heritage sport of Dubai, with cycling and off road running. This is a new concept that will grow and become a popular event in the Middle East and beyond. It is another important step in the development of sport in Dubai.”

The Dubai Desert Triathlon is held under the patronage of H.H Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Sports Council.

Meydan Hosts Final Racing at Meydan Card of the Season Ahead of Dubai World Cup

Meydan Hosts Final Racing at Meydan Card of the Season Ahead of Dubai World Cup

South African Oertel Seems Assured of Second Trainers’ Title

Thursday evening at Meydan Racecourse represents the final domestic meeting of the season at the UAE’s flagship venue with Dubai World Cup night to follow in just over two weeks.

All six races are on the all-weather with two Dh90,000 contests offering the main highlights. The penultimate race, a 1900m handicap, has attracted 14 runners and trainer Doug Watson would appear to hold two good chances with Ostaad and Udabaa, the mounts of Paul Hanagan and Pat Dobbs respectively.

“They are both in good form at home and seem fresh and well for this time of the season,” said Watson. “Udabaa has hardly run a bad race all season and is well drawn. We are dropping him slightly in trip but that should not be a problem.

“Ostaad is not well drawn but won well last time over 1400m and has won over this trip in England. Both should run well.”

They are both owned by HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, responsible for four runners and, with Hanagan choosing Ostaad, the owner’s second jockey, Dane O’Neill, rides Amaan, trained by Erwan Charpy.

Ahmad bin Harmash has enjoyed a good first season with a licence and course and distance winner Ducab should be competitive under stable jockey, Adrie De Vries who said: “Hopefully the return to these conditions will suit him and we have a nice draw in one. He should run well in an open looking contest.”

Bahraini Fawzi Nass, fresh from saddling Asmar to win last Saturday’s Al Bastakiya, relies on Tonabrocky who made a winning local debut in a 2000m all-weather handicap four weeks ago.

Ernst Oertel looks very likely to defend his trainer’s title and saddles course and distance winner El Mansour, the mount of Tadhg O’Shea who looks certain to be Champion Jockey again.

The preceding 1200m handicap has also attracted a competitive field of 14 with the Oertel’ Touch Gold and the Satish Seemar-trained Genius Step both seeking third consecutive victories.

A 1400m Jebel Ali winner last Friday, Touch Gold has only ever run over a trip this short once, exactly a year ago when well beaten at Sharjah. He has been in great form recently though and forged a great relationship with apprentice Daniel Muscutt who keeps the ride. O’Shea partners stable companion Brazen, yet to win locally after six starts in the UAE.

Richard Mullen rides Genius Step, twice a course and distance winner this year, with stable apprentice, Marc Monaghan, on Seemar’s second runner, Al Razi.

Watson relies on Famous Warrior, a Dubai World Cup Carnival winner in 2011 but out of luck since November 2012. Both those wins were over 1600m but he has won over 1200m in Ireland.

Watson explained: “He ran well for a long way over 1200m on turf last time and we will probably try slightly different tactics this week. We will be a bit more patient with him and hopefully he will be running on at the end.”

Qamar cannot be ruled out, while Hanagan chooses to ride local debutant Ebn Arab, trained by Musabah Al Muhairi, from five Sheikh Hamdan runners.

It is another busy racing weekend in the UAE with meetings at Al Ain on Friday, Sharjah on Saturday and Abu Dhabi on Sunday.

Tonabrocky, a winner on the February 15 Racing at Meydan card, bids for another victory in the 1900m IPIC Stakes – Empowering Our Future for trainer, Fawzi Nass.

Credit: Dubai Racing Club // Andrew Watkins

Standings for Boodles Leading Jockey Award, The Irish Independent Leading Trainer Award & the Prestbury Cup (sponsored by Guinness)

 

Boodles Leading Jockey Award

Jockey    Wins   2nd   3rd

Ruby Walsh    2   1   -

Barry Geraghty   1   -   1

Tom Scudamore   1   -   1

Richie McLernon   1   -   -

Mr Joshua Newman   1   -   -

Brendan Powell   1   -   -

A P McCoy    -   1   1

Nico de Boinville   -   1   -

Brian Hughes    -   1   -

Mr Derek O'Connor   -   1   -

Andrew Tinkler   -   1   -

Paul Townend   -   1   -

Bryan Cooper    -   -   1

Mr Patrick Mullins   -   -   1

Robert Thornton   -   -   1

Sam Twiston-Davies   -   -   1

The Irish Independent Leading Trainer Award

Trainer    Wins   2nd   3rd

Willie Mullins IRE   2   2   1

Alan King    1   -   1

David Pipe    1   -   1

Jessica Harrington IRE  1   -   -

Jonjo O'Neill    1   -   -

Jamie Snowden   1   -   -

Nicky Henderson   -   3   1

Malcolm Jefferson   -   1   -

Emma Lavelle    -   1   -

Charles Byrnes IRE   -   -   1

Charlie Longsdon   -   -   1

Nigel Twiston-Davies   -   -   1

  

Prestbury Cup (sponsored by Guinness)

Great Britain 4 v Ireland 3

1.30pm Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1)

VAUTOUR (FR) (Susannah Ricci) Willie Mullins IRE 5-11-7 Ruby Walsh 7/2jf

2.05pm Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase (Grade 1)

WESTERN WARHORSE (IRE) (Roger Brookhouse) David Pipe h6-11-4 Tom Scudamore 33/1

2.40pm Baylis & Harding Affordable Luxury Handicap Chase (Grade 3)

HOLYWELL (IRE) (Gay Smith) Jonjo O'Neill b7-11-06 Richie McLernon 10/1

3.20pm Stan James Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy (Grade 1)

JEZKI (IRE) (J P McManus) Jessica Harrington IRE h6-11-10 Barry Geraghty 9/1

4.00pm OLBG Mares' Hurdle (Registered As The David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle) (Grade 2)

QUEVEGA (FR) (Hammer & Trowel Syndicate) Willie Mullins IRE 10-11-5 Ruby Walsh 8/11f

4.40pm Terry Biddlecombe National Hunt Chase (Listed Amateur Riders' Novices' Chase)

MIDNIGHT PRAYER (The Legends Partnership) Alan King 9-11-06 Mr Joshua Newman 8/1

5.15pm Rewards4Racing Novices' Handicap Chase (Listed)  

PRESENT VIEW (Sir Chips Keswick) Jamie Snowden 6-11-07 Brendan Powell 8/1

@BeachPoloCupBeach Polo action set to hit the sands of Dubai

 

·         Julius Baer Beach Polo Cup Dubai 2014 presented by Cadillac announced under the support of Dubai Sports Council

The Dubai Sports Council and mamemo productions today announced the Julius Baer Beach Polo Cup Dubai 2014 presented by Cadillac, will take place this April 11-12.

 

2014 is a particularly special year, marking 10 years since the Beach Polo Cup was conceived and created in Dubai. At this point in its relatively short history,it has grown to become a worldwide phenomenon and is now held in 30 cities around the world.

2013 marked the event’s return to Dubai and this year, hosts and founders mamemo productions have relocated to new iconic venue, Sky Dive Dubai, home to many international sporting events, where the world’s largest beach polo venue is being built especially for the tournament.

Announcing Dubai Sports Council’s full support of the event, mamemo productions’ managing &creative director Sam Katiela, creator &founder of the Beach Polo Cup Dubai, said: “We are extremely proud that we are now officially under the support of the Dubai Sports Council, which is chaired by HH. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and chairman of the Dubai Executive Council.’’

“This will push the tournament to a totally different level, giving it the awareness it deserves, because this is an event of Dubai and the UAE. This event represents the strengths, the spirit, and the passion for sport that the UAE is proud of and gives a message for the world that Dubai is home to some of the best, international, high class events in the world.’’

Mr. Ghazi Al Madani of Dubai Sports Council stated:“The Dubai Sports Council wholeheartedly supports sporting events that complement its own agenda of sporting activities throughout the year. The fact that this tournament was created in Dubai by mamemo productions and has witnessed a remarkable growth has encouraged us to give our full support to its current edition and provide them with means to success. Its novel idea and outstanding level of organization has made it an important addition to the sporting calendar in Dubai and a vivid example of events that make Dubai a sporting destination.”

 

mamemo productions is also proud to announce Swiss Private Bank Julius Baer is again the title sponsor for the 2014 edition, as well as one of the team sponsors.

Daniel Savary, Head of Eastern Mediterranean, Middle East and Africa (EMMEA), Bank Julius Baer, said: “We, at Julius Baer, have chosen to sponsor polo globally because of its dynamics and consciousness of tradition, which are in line with our values of always striving to achieve excellence. Therefore, we are delighted to showcase our affinity to the sport in the UAE through the sponsorship of the Julius Baer Beach Polo Cup for a second consecutive year and further highlight our commitment to the country, as well as the wider region.’’

The tournament also welcomes car brand Cadillac on board as official presenting sponsorof the tournament.

With an even bigger setup for both Shams and Majlis areas, this year’s tournament will definitely be an exciting experience for fans of all ages.

The polo games will begin at sunset this year, giving spectators an afternoon of up-close polo, entertainment and family fun – including a fully managed 400square meter kid’s area.

“Last year’s tournament already exceeded many expectations but we are committed to continue to break new grounds and set the bar,” Katiela added.

With the event attracting polo professionals from all over the world, the tournament will also see patrons from last year play again, including top pro’s from Argentina – deemed the superstars of the polo arena.

Tickets are available to purchase now from Platinum List.

For more information on the Julius Baer Beach Polo Cup Dubai 2014 Presented by Cadillac, please visit: www.beachpolo.net .

facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DubaiBeachPoloCup

twitter: https://twitter.com/BeachPoloCup

instagram: http://instagram.com/beachpolocup

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/beachpolo/

Two unique innovations on the market for the horse's digestive system presented at the DIFH 2014 20, 21 & 22 March 2014 - Dubai

Specializing in the equine diet for over 20 years, the French company EDHYA develops specific natural, innovative, certified and non-dopants. On the occasion of its participation in the 10th edition of "Dubai International Horse Fair", EDHYA will present two unique innovations on the market: the regulator of gastrointestinal tract "Edhya Form" and anti-ulcer "Edhya Myo-Gard". Meet them on 20, 21 and 22 March 2014 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

EDHYA devises and manufactures equine natural products based on innovation and research laboratories. Specialist horse digestive system, the French company has developed two unique innovations on the market:

EDHYA FORM: Universal regulator of the digestive tract

This bio-regulator of intestinal flora based germinated barley is the only product of its nature; the fermentation and stability are controlled using approved lactic acid bacteria. This nutritional supplement nourishes and balances the intestinal flora for better digestion daily.

EDHYA MYO-GARD: Double function: Gastric & Muscle

The frequency and severity of gastric ulcers in horses is such that we cannot ignore all the side effects they cause: including muscle condition, recovery, myositis ... These cases ulcers affect 70% sport horses and almost 100% of racehorses in training (Source: Bill RJW et al / Mitchell RD).

Today EDHYA has developed its range around the horse's digestive system to meet the sporting needs and treat stress-related ailments competitions, and environmental conditions of the horse.

EDHYA MYO-GARD is a liquid feed supplement with protective and regenerative action of the epithelial cells of the stomach, muscle and anti-oxidant. This natural based formula powder plants, unique and economical, protects and renews the walls of the stomach.

This product, already used in larger Stud Thoroughbred French and Irish as well as a large number of veterinarians, remains a non-natural formula doping.

EDHYA also developed the formula that FLOR'EDHYA an Edhya Form’s concentrate to restore and rebalance the intestinal flora.

More information: www.edhya.com

Renton hopes to build on success of previous Festivals

The Jockey Club's regional director for the South West, Ian Renton, is looking forward to this year's Cheltenham Festival with relish and is hoping that his team can build on the successes of previous meetings.

Renton, who was named as the new supremo of Cheltenham Racecourse in August 2012, is also responsible for Exeter, Wincanton and Warwick as part of the South West region and hopes that this year's Festival will offer improved facilities for the 235,000 racegoers that are expected to flock to Prestbury Park over the next four days.

The 55-year-old described his appointment as a 'homecoming' as he had worked at Cheltenham in the 1980s under former managing director Edward Gillespie and brings plenty of experience to the position having worked for Arena Leisure in several capacities and also having served as a director at the British Horseracing Board (now British Horseracing Authority).

Speaking on the eve of the 2014 Festival, Renton is delighted that the weather is set fair for the week ahead and feels that preparations to the racecourse itself have gone much smoother than they did 12 months ago.

"It's fantastic that we can head into this year's Festival with much better weather than we had last year and this has meant we've been in much better shape to make the final preparations than we were 12 months ago," said Renton.

"We're looking forward to a great four days racing and the weather will certainly play a part in that. We're slightly ahead on ticket sales than we were last year but tickets are still available in all enclosures on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

"We are sold out in Tattersalls and the Best Mate enclosure on Gold Cup Day (Friday) but there are still some available in the Club Enclosure.

"Although it was my first Festival in charge of Cheltenham Racecourse last year, a lot of the preparations had been made as we start so far in advance but I was able to take stock after last year's meeting and make a few adjustments so racegoers can have the best customer experience possible.

"We've added more bars this year and there are also more loos available to racegoers. We've also worked hard on a pilot wifi infrastructure which will hopefully ensure that all Festival racegoers have access to free internet access across the racecourse and there has also been a significant uplift in the quality of facilities for hospitality clients."

Grendisar & Sir Robert Cheval aiming to secure All-Weather Championships Finals Day places for Botti

  

Marco Botti is hoping that Grendisar and Sir Robert Cheval can justify going for All-Weather Championships Finals Day, Friday, April 18, with victories at Lingfield Park over the coming days.

The Newmarket trainer is already guaranteed a representative in the Good Friday extravaganza at the Surrey course with Grey Mirage having won a Fast-Track Qualifier for the £150,000 ladbrokes.co.uk All-Weather Mile Championships Conditions Stakes.

Grendisar is set to run this Friday, March 14, in the 12-furlong £20,000 Coral Mobile "Just Three Clicks to Bet" Handicap, following a comfortable handicap success over the same course and distance on February 1.

The progressive four-year-old, who has registered four wins on Polytrack, faded to fifth in the two-mile 32Red Conditions Stakes, also at Lingfield Park, on January 22.

 

Botti reported: "Grendisar is likely to run at Lingfield Park on Friday. He's in good form and won nicely at the course last time. He has been holding his form, although he didn't quite stay two miles which is why we switched him back down in trip.

"He seems to have improved a lot on the All-Weather this winter. He is one of those horses who is probably still a few pounds better than his current mark of 95 because he never wins by far and is possibly holding a bit back for himself.

"A mile and a half is his best trip and we would like to aim him at the coral.co.uk All-Weather Championship Apprentice Handicap on Good Friday. It's a valuable race and I expect a few agents will be ringing up trying to get the ride on him."

The 11 entries for the Coral Mobile "Just Three Clicks to Bet" Handicap also include Blue Wave (Mark Johnston), who has recorded a pair of wins at Wolverhampton since finishing third behind Grendisar on February 1, Ladbrokes St Leger ninth Great Hall (Brian Meehan) and recent Marathon Fast-Track Qualifier third Duchess Of Grazeley (Dean Ivory).

Botti is also looking forward to seeing Sir Robert Cheval return in the £45,000 Listed 32Red Spring Cup, on Saturday, March 22, a Fast-Track Qualifier. The winner of the seven-furlong contest receives an automatic free berth in the 32Red All-Weather Three-Year-Old Championships Conditions Stakes on Good Friday.

Sir Robert Cheval was the facile winner of a course and distance maiden on November 13 and went down by a length to Complicit in 32Red Conditions Stakes, also over seven furlongs at Lingfield Park, on his third racecourse appearance 10 days later.

Botti continued: "Sir Robert Cheval is set to run in the Spring Cup. We have given him a break and have been very pleased with the way he has been working.

"He was still a little bit inexperienced when he was beaten by Complicit last time. It wasn't our plan to make the running on him but we ended up in front. A horse with more experience beat him and the time was good.

"He looks a better horse this year and we would like to get him qualified for Good Friday."

A seven-race card on Saturday, March 22, also includes two further Fast-Track Qualifiers - the £100,000 Group Three coral.co.uk Winter Derby and the £45,000 bookmakers.co.uk Hever Sprint Stakes.

Horses qualify for the six championship contests on £1-million 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 Fast-Track Qualifiers.

Lingfield Park Race Programme All-Weather Championships Finals Day, Good Friday, April 18, 2014

13.45      £50,000 coral.co.uk All-Weather Championships Apprentice Handicap (1m 4f)

14.20      £150,000 32Red.com All-Weather Fillies' & Mares' Championships Conditions Stakes (7f)

14.55      £150,000 32Red All-Weather Three-Year-Old Championships Conditions Stakes (7f)

15.30      £150,000 32Red Casino All-Weather Marathon Championships Conditions Stakes (2m)

16.05      £150,000 bookmakers.co.uk All-Weather Sprint Championships Conditions Stakes (6f)

16.40      £150,000 ladbrokes.co.uk All-Weather Mile Championships Conditions Stakes (1m)

17.20      £200,000 Coral Easter Classic All-Weather Middle-Distance Championships Conditions Stakes (1m 2f)