The Racing Post (London, England) back issues from February 2009:
WATCH OUT BINOCULAR!(Sports)
Feb 01, 2009 ... RP SPORT SPECIAL Unrivalled preview of Pittsburgh v Arizona in Super Bowl XLIII Liverpool v Chelsea in a Premier League crunch clash Plus Newcastle v Sunderland and the return of Steve Palmer's Betting Week See back page Celestial Halo and Osana ...
Celestial and Osana keep challenge to Binocular on track; YESTERDAY AT SANDOWN.(Sports)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Byline: Jon Lees reports CELESTIAL HALO and Osana delighted connections at Sandown yesterday as they showed themselves to be worthy rivals to hot favourite Binocular for next month's Champion Hurdle. Binocular remained in splendid isolation at the head of the ...
Post jury answers the key question from yesterday; Should Binocular's backers be worried by what they saw in the Contenders Hurdle?(Sports)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Paul Kealy Betting editor AT this time of year it's hard to know how much the trainers have left to work on - you only have to cast you mind back to 2003 when Rooster Booster scrambled home at Sandown at 2-7 and hosed up six weeks later by 11 lengths at Cheltenham - so there's ...
Truth to tell, Nicholls now has his eyes on a tilt at the Topham.(Sports)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Byline: Jon Lees PAUL NICHOLLS knew there was the potential for trouble, but not even the sometimes "wayward" Herecomesthetruth could wrest his vice-like grip from the Tote-swinger Challengers Novices' Chase yesterday, writes Jon Lees. The champion trainer had won ...
Chandler u-turn threatens Hills' Doncaster race.(Sports)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Byline: By David Carr ANY move to revert Ascot's Victor Chandler Chase to a handicap could bring the future of the valuable William Hill.com Handicap Chase into question, the sponsors and Doncaster warned yesterday. The 2m contest carried pounds 100,000 in prize-money ...
Anonymous syndicate lands record pounds 1.54m Scoop6 pot.(Sports)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Byline: By Graham Green CAN'T BUY TIME'S victory at Sandown yesterday earned a record pounds 1,541,739 Scoop6 payout for an anonymous syndicate who now have the opportunity to make history again next weekend when bidding to take their winnings beyond a staggering pounds 4 ...
McCoy wait goes on after Sandown blank.(Sports)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Byline: Lee Mottershead and Jon Lees THE milestone is still to be met, but another slice of history could be his this afternoon, write Lee Mottershead and Jon Lees. Tony McCoy's wait for winner number 3,000 goes on, and although it didn't happen at Sandown yesterday, ...
Courses brace themselves for icy Arctic blast.(Sports)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Byline: By Graham Green TODAY'S meetings at Fontwell and Musselburgh are subject to precautionary inspections, but prospects for racing at Punchestown today were given the green light after the heavy rain expected yesterday morning failed to materialise. Officials at ...
Bookies in plea over BBC plan.(Sports)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Byline: By Lee Mottershead THE Association of British Bookmakers has become the latest group to implore the BBC not to carry out its plan to axe half its racing coverage - and the latest group to receive a less-than-encouraging reply. Russ Phillips, chief executive ...
Celestial win.(Sports)
Feb 01, 2009 ... CELESTIAL HALO'S odds-on success at Sandown yesterday earned Pat Huggins enough points to steal the pounds 10,000 first prize from Galway's Paul Fox in the Tote/Racing Post Ten to Follow's January competition. Huggins, from ...
No whisky? Prospect of a big win will see you through.(Sports)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Byline: Steve Dennis MAN survives on whisky for two and a half days. Some headlines catch the eye across a crowded room, reeling the reader irresistibly in. I saw this incomparable eyecatcher in the folds of someone's newspaper as I slumped sourly in my seat, ...
New stumbling block to Great Leighs takeover.(Sports)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Byline: By Howard Wright AS the administrator Deloitte grapples with the task of unearthing potential purchasers of Great Leighs racecourse, the importance of interested parties reaching an accommodation with project founder John Holmes, his family and various close associates ...
Breeders' Cup winners Red Rocks and Kip Deville back in action; INTERNATIONAL.(Sports)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Byline: Dan Farley PREVIEW: US Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap Gulfstream Park (Grade 1, 1m1f turf) FORMER Breeders' Cup winners Red Rocks and Kip Deville are two of the stars on show in this evening's US highlight, the Gulfstream Park Turf ...
Pocket Power completes historic hat-trick; INTERNATIONAL.(Sports)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Byline: Michael Clower REPORT: SOUTH AFRICA J & B Met (Grade 1) Kenilworth, 1m2f turf POCKET POWER, trained by Leicesterborn Mike Bass, made South African racing history at Kenilworth yesterday when overcoming a mighty challenge from old rival ...
IN FULL ON RACINGPOST.COM; INTERNATIONAL.(Sports)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Australia Scenic Blast spoils return to ...
Suggestion from Duke is Triumph for cheekiness.(Sports)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Byline: Rodney Masters A CHEEKY proposition by a Lambourn trainer to Jim and Jackie Bolger that they should send him Lush Lashes to be trained for the Triumph Hurdle had an unexpected sequel when the couple responded to his request, although not with their Royal Ascot winner, ...
Harris may face BHA probe into horse sale.(Sports)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Byline: By Graham Green TRAINER Milton Harris could find himself facing a BHA investigation into the sale of a horse to one of his former owners. A civil case was due to be heard at Cambridge County Court on Friday, but was settled on terms that Harris pay pounds 5,000 to GD & ...
Newmarket group wins special-case plea.(Sports)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Byline: Tony Elves SAVE Historic Newmarket Action Group has won a round in its fight against development of racing sites after it was agreed the "historic and unique town" should be treated as a special case in planning applications, writes Tony Elves. An ...
Nicholls has National plan for Big Fella.(Sports)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Byline: Ben Newton BIG FELLA THANKS, impressive winner of the valuable Sky Bet Chase eight days ago, is likely to be aimed at the Racing Post Chase and then the John Smith's Grand National, writes Ben Newton. After the Paul Nicholls-trained novice had got off the mark ...
Silver Birch will try again in point.(Sports)
Feb 01, 2009 ... THE reappearance of 2007 Grand National winner Silver Birch at the North Tipperary Foxhounds point-to-point did not materialise yesterday, as the course was waterlogged. The organisers have rescheduled the fixture for next Saturday with ...
THE THINGS THEY SAID.(Sports)
Feb 01, 2009 ... He's our flagbearer. He cost 4,500gns, came to us as a selling plater and has now won the Letheby & Christopher. Whether the yard is in form or not, he runs his race. He's magic" Trainer Colin Tizzard, as Joe Lively, the ultimate stable favourite, earns his Gold Cup place with ...
QUOTE OF THE WEEK.(Sports)(Quotation)
Feb 01, 2009 ... "I spoil her rotten, but she is the only person who smiles every time I walk into the room - it has never happened ...
Big Zeb's Champion claims on the line; PUNCHESTOWN TODAY 2.25 Punchestown.(Sports)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Byline: Brian Fleming Amazing Thailand Chase (Grade 2) 2m Live on ATR Card page 56 Key stat Watson Lake is having his third attempt in this, having finished fourth in 2006 and 2007 2.25 Punchestown BIG ZEB, the only horse quoted at single figures for the ...
Mikael D'Haguenet out to continue his winning run; PUNCHESTOWN TODAY 1.25 Punchestown.(Sports)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Byline: Brian Fleming Abbey Electrical Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle (Grade 2) 2m Live on ATR Card page 54 jjKey stat Willie Mullins, who saddles Mikael D'Haguenet, could hardly be in better form. His last ten runners have finished: 1211411115 MIKAEL D'HAGUENET, one of ...
Apalachi on hurdle route to National; PUNCHESTOWN TODAY 1.55 Punchestown.(Sports)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Byline: Brian Fleming Jim Ryan Racecourse Services Handicap Hurdle 3m Live on ATR Card page 56 Key stat The five winners carried no more than 10st 6lb, with three carrying less than 10st BECHER CHASE winner Black Apalachi begins his road back to Aintree ...
Trust Kyber to make light of rise in weights.(Sports)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Byline: TOM SEGAL MUSSELBURGH is just about my favourite jumps track. It seems to live in its own microclimate because it never seems to get very soft there, and for me it's an excellent breeding ground for a top-class horse. The key is that horses always seem to run to the line ...
BEST LONGSHOT; A forecast outsider who could be primed to outrun its likely odds.(Sports)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Byline: Ed Quigley ALONG THE NILE is worth an eachway interest in the John Smith's Scottish County Handicap Hurdle at Musselburgh 3.30, writes Ed Quigley. Keith Reveley's charge boasts course-and-distance form and, running off 117, the son of Desert ...
BANKERS OR BLOWOUTS? TRADING POST.(Sports)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Byline: Matt Williams expects Joe Jo Star to trade short in-running at Musselburgh Kalahari King 3.00 Musselburgh SP forecast 1-8 Pre-race drifter at Haydock last time, as layers predicted a substandard performance on the testing ground. Fair ...
Musselburgh should bring best out of Giorgio Quercus; TRADING POST.(Sports)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Byline: Matt Williams expects Joe Jo Star to trade short in-running at Musselburgh Nap of the day Giorgio Quercus 2.30 Musselburgh Travelled well for a long way at Cheltenham on his penultimate start, giving the impression he needs an easier test, which is the reason ...
Osana 10-1 for Champion; TRADING POST BETTING REPORT.(Sports)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Byline: Matt Williams expects Joe Jo Star to trade short in-running at Musselburgh OSANA was expected to need the run in the Totepool Contenders Hurdle at Sandown yesterday, and he certainly shaped that way when beaten by Celestial Halo. The bookmakers' reaction was to ignore ...
Forget Blues for festival; TRADING POST BETTING REPORT.(Sports)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Byline: Matt Williams expects Joe Jo Star to trade short in-running at Musselburgh DONCASTER is fast becoming the Ascot of the north and it seems the Yorkshire venue is incapable of offering an accurate going description. You can talk to me all day about race times suggesting ...
THE STATS THAT MATTER; TRADING POST.(Sports)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Byline: Matt Williams expects Joe Jo Star to trade short in-running at Musselburgh Venetia Williams and Aidan Coleman have an enviable record together at Fontwell with a strike-rate of 50% there, and the pair will surely have a good chance of adding to that with Stow in the 1.40 ...
Unexposed five-year-olds can prove profitable; TRADING POST Jumping By Numbers James Pyman pinpoints some hurdlers well worth keeping a close eye on.(Sports)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Byline: Matt Williams expects Joe Jo Star to trade short in-running at Musselburgh LAST season's juvenile hurdlers have been making a major impact in this season's big hurdles, with the latest example being Celestial Halo's triumph in the Listed Contenders Hurdle at Sandown ...
Giorgio going north to find better ground.(Sports)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Byline: Lee Mottershead 2.30 Musselburgh John Smith's Scottish Triumph Hurdle Trial 2m RUK Card page 26 Key stat Howard Johnson has scored with three of the four juvenile hurdlers he has run at Musselburgh this season and saddles Nine Stories ...
Tips box Course and step back up in trip both likely to favour Goldie's in-form Kyber.(Sports)
Feb 01, 2009 ... North Colin Russell Kyber (2.00 Musselburgh, nap) Has run well on both outings over hurdles this term, both on this track. Won over 2m last time, but step back up in trip expected to be in his favour, and fancied to go well for the Jim Goldie yard. ...
New role for Limerick Boy; VETERANS' RALLY Horses who are now in the twilight of their career but still going strong.(Sports)
Feb 01, 2009 ... LIMERICK BOY, twice a Grade 2 winner in days gone by, is one of two familiar faces contesting the first British hunter chase of the season at Fontwell this afternoon, writes Lee Mottershead. The Venetia Williams-trained 11-year-old, successful in Aintree's Top Novices' Hurdle ...
Race in focus . . . 3.00 Musselburgh.(Sports)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Byline: Lee Mottershead KALAHARI KING, Ferdy Murphy's leading hope for Cheltenham Festival glory, makes his final stop en route to the Arkle Chase at Musselburgh this afternoon with his trainer fearful of testing conditions today and even more so at Cheltenham next month. ...
'Better now than he has ever been' TONY McCOY WEEK.(Sports)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Byline: Brough Scott scrutinises Tony McCoy's rides during the last fortnight and echoes the conclusion of Mick Fitzgerald and John Francome - that we are currently witnessing the golden era of the greatest jockey jump racing has ever seen WE'VE had a great McCoy Week, but ...
The Questionnaire; Inside the mind of Tony McCoy.(Sports)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Byline: Tony McCoy When a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? Lester Piggott or Liam Brady. What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given? Jim Bolger told me: "Never start an argument unless you are right. And when you are arguing with me, you ...
Demolition job by Can't Buy Time sparks National interest for McCoy; SANDOWN.(Sports)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Byline: by Jon Lees HE WAS made to wait at least another 24 hours for his landmark 3,000th victory over jumps, but Tony McCoy at least saw his prospects of claiming a first Grand National win improve through the success of Can't Buy Time yesterday. McCoy knew his ...
Nicholls and Williams on song with 'Blues' DONCASTER.(Sports)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Byline: by David Carr WONDER what Paul Nicholls has got for the Lincoln? The way he has dominated the top prizes on Town Moor in the past eight days suggests it might be worth his while having a crack at the big cavalry charge back here next month. Christian Williams ...
Kornati Kid stakes claim for Cheltenham; WETHERBY.(Sports)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Byline: by Colin Russell KORNATI KID earned himself a trip to Cheltenham after coming out best in a thrilling finish to the featured Totepool Towton Novices' Chase, Tom O'Brien driving him right out from the last to beat the gallant Will Be Done by a neck. He is ...
Family pet Matsunosuke wins No. 11; LINGFIELD.(Sports)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Byline: by Bruce Jackson MATSUNOSUKE, a true family pet, continues to climb the rankings late in life and produced another signature last-to-first burst to win the feature sprint on the William Hill-sponsored card. The seven-year-old, winning for the 11th time, was ...
HORSE PLAY; Just for the fun of it.(Sports)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Googling a runner Snow Patrol 3.10 Fontwell A Scottish-based rock band, success was slow coming for Snow Patrol before their breakthrough album Final Straw went multi-platinum in Britain in 2004. Eyes Open, released two years later, sold 4.7 million copies worldwide. Their ...
Letter: Why floodlit fixtures should end earlier.(Sports)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Byline: Darren Coombes SURELY it is time to address the issue of floodlit evening racing fixtures during the winter months. It has got to the stage where every bookmaker must agree there is little commercial benefit to be gained from staging racing so late in the evening at this ...
Letter: Responsibility an issue.(Sports)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Byline: Mo Charge I READ with amazement that William Hill are giving out betting vouchers for best-turned-out prizes in the races they sponsor (January 29). As a bookmaker myself, I have just completed my annual returns for the Gambling Commission, which include ...
Letter: Harsh on stable staff.(Sports)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Byline: Karim Fatih THE comments of David Hood regarding William Hill's decision to give betting vouchers rather than cash as best-turnedout prizes defy belief. In the first six months of 2008, Mr Hood's employer made pounds ...
Letter: Focus on the racegoer.(Sports)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Byline: Peter Healey I WRITE in relation to the Racing Post campaign against BBC cuts and David Ashforth's line (January 29): "For the long-term health of racing, it is important to get people through the gates." I have watched racing on terrestrial television for as ...
Letter: Wood Louse tried his best to get beaten.(Sports)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Byline: Mike Futter THE first part of David Ashforth's excellent article on Anthony McCoy featured a picture showing Anthony leading in Wood Louse at Downpatrick almost 20 years ago. I was one of the co-owners of Wood Louse and the race he won was a two-horse affair, ...
Letter: McCoy his own man.(Sports)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Byline: Placepot Pete Cordwell LIKE almost everyone else, I've been a constant admirer of Tony McCoy over the years, knowing that if his mount is off the bridle four out you are still on equal terms with most of the other runners. In my case, it is often for a third place in the ...
Letter: A credit to racing.(Sports)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Byline: Janette Duke IT WAS Sandown Park on Betfred Gold Cup day in 2007. Tony McCoy had just been recognised for his 12th jockeys' title - an amazing feat. AP was riding Bold Diktator in the Flat v jump jockeys' race at the end of the afternoon for Tom Dascombe and ...
CHATROOM; The best of your emails and texts.(Sports)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Responsible solution The euthanasia debate shows mainly emotive and irrational responses to an insoluble problem. Most racehorses get in trouble once they have left racing for a 'good home'. For a responsible industry solution go to racinghorsesbook.com and scroll to p.148. ...
'Unsung hero' award goes to York head groundsman; BUSINESS MATTERS.(Sports)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Byline: Howard Wright reports YORK racecourse head groundsman Adrian Kay, who with his team experienced a testing summer that culminated in the abandonment of what should have been the first four-day Ebor festival, is an unsung hero - and that's official. The title ...
Tommo to host at Musselburgh; BUSINESS MATTERS.(Sports)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Byline: Howard Wright reports MUSSELBURGH racecourse breaks fresh ground today, calling on Derek Thompson to act as anchorman for the John Smith's Cheltenham trials day programme, which offers more than pounds 90,000 in prize-money. Thompson will provide analysis in ...
BRS course for aspiring amateurs; BUSINESS MATTERS.(Sports)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Byline: Howard Wright reports THE British Racing School is running a five-day course (February 9-13) for potential amateur jumps riders, to include a half-day of schooling with expert teacher Yogi Breisner. As well as riding at least one lot per day and daily ...
Free entry for Fontwell's extra card; BUSINESS MATTERS.(Sports)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Byline: Howard Wright reports FONTWELL is going down the freeadmission route for its hastily arranged extra fixture on Friday. The slot was created by the BHA after the loss of 31 meetings to bad weather last month, when Fontwell suffered twice. Course ...
Guillambert leaves Racing Welfare; BUSINESS MATTERS.(Sports)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Byline: Howard Wright reports RACING WELFARE fundraising and communications executive Francoise Guillambert has left the Newmarketbased charity after five years to concentrate on the Showhouse Furniture business she runs in the town with her partner, former jockey Edward Guest. ...
COURSE CIRCULAR; BUSINESS MATTERS.(Sports)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Byline: Howard Wright reports COUNTRYSIDE themes dominate at Fakenham on Friday week when the fun kicks off with a charity race, in which hunting fans with limited race-riding experience make up the 12 entries who have to raise a minimum of pounds 750 in sponsorship. ...
Eddery joins brother Pat as assistant; Racing people.(Sports)
Feb 01, 2009 ... PAUL EDDERY has joined older brother Pat as assistant trainer at the former champion jockey's stables in Buckinghamshire, but he will continue to ride professionally. Pat Eddery will have his biggest string since taking out a trainer's licence in 2005, expecting to have 45 to 50 ...
McGurk delight at Owen's gesture; Racing people.(Sports)
Feb 01, 2009 ... CHRIS 'Tudor' McGurk's chest will be puffed out proudly today when he ventures to St James's Park for the Newcastle v Sunderland derby to take delivery of a signed shirt from Magpies hero Michael Owen. The striker learned of McGurk's plans to raise money for the Paediatric ...
Shepherd realises dream in Dakar Rally; Racing people.(Sports)
Feb 01, 2009 ... IT'S a case of hats off for Mike Shepherd, who recently completed the Dakar Rally on his KTM customised motorcycle. The New Zealand-born Rossdales vet (pictured in action) finished 94th of the 110 finishers from the 235 who set off on one of the most gruelling tests of ...
THE MONTH IN PICTURES; JANUARY 2009.(Sports)
Feb 01, 2009 ... 1 Runners at Kempton are silhouetted by the low January sun 2 Big Buck's and Ruby Walsh get the better of Punchestowns in the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham 3 A pair of swans on the partially frozen lake at Kempton 4 A frisky Motivator canters around his ...
Spencer extends title lead by two more; WOLVERHAMPTON Friday.(Sports)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Byline: by Will O'Hanlon JAMIE SPENCER extended his lead over Chris Catlin at the top of the all-weather jockeys' title race to eight when completing a short-priced double on Harry Up and Lady Vivien. Harry Up is a prolific scorer in modest all-weather company, and he ...
Jacket looks right option for Lorrys.(Sports)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Byline: Tony Bullen Romford report THE Coral TV Maiden Marathon final at Romford on Friday turned out to be a family affair, but it was Lorrys Options who upstaged litter brother Bubbly Eagle in the 750m showpiece at Romford on Friday. Both had been very impressive in ...
Winner's on her way to Tipperary for flying visit.(Sports)
Feb 01, 2009 ... Byline: By John Forbes FLYING WINNER will run at Clonmel on Tuesday - weather permitting The British Bitch and Marathon Racer of the Year has been entered for a 928-metre race at the Irish track and will be a major attraction for greyhound enthusiasts making their way to the Co ....