HUNT BALL CREATES HIGH HOPES IN JUMPS

Racing's most improved horse, Hunt Ball, has what it takes to go the extra mile of becoming a star of the jump racing season.

While being part of a training operation that has no gallops of its own, the horse's recent achievement is fantastic for owner Anthony Knott.

He has backed the horse to win £1million, an act that shows his confidence in the seven-year-old gelding.

The plan is for the Cheltenham Gold Cup to act as Hunt Ball's spring-board towards the season's two biggest titles, the King George VI Chase and the gold cup itself.

He currently stands as the second favourite for the gold cup and completing all would net a seven figure payout from bookmakers.

It would be a real fairytale for the the 'smaller' person and horse with countryside roots to come away with the major trophies. 

I am really pleased to see how a modest horse and owner has created a big impact on racing. It proves that with hard work and determination a person, no matter how popular or high-profiled, can pull off an achievement similar to Knotts with Hunt Ball.

Watch this racing team climb to the top with a unique story that will bring warmth and more positive headlines to the sport.

IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE A FEMALE JOCKEY WINS A FLAT CLASSIC, BELIEVES AMY RYAN

AMY Ryan, the newly-crowned apprentice champion, believes that it is just a matter of time before a female jockey wins a British flat racing classic.

Beating closest rival Darren Egan by two clear winners, Amy finished her season with a total of 40.

Britain's leading female jockey Hayley Turner, who tied for the apprentice title in 2005, presented Amy with the trophy.

I agree that it is only a matter of time before a female jockey wins a classic. More and more women are coming into horse racing for a career and are constantly moving towards the top of the pack, as Amy has shown.

Barriers have been broken in the sport for female jockeys and I hope that they will continue to be.

It is about faith and patience in racing. A jockey needs a good horse and trainer to help towards big titles and now more female jockeys are getting just that.

Amy's success is a delight to see and I hope that she, along with Hayley, will encourage more girls to take up the sport who may even compete professionally in the future.

Watch this space.

RETIREMENT ENDS KING KAUTO'S REIGN

King Kauto has been retired.

The outstanding chaser, who won two Cheltenham Gold Cups and five King George VIs at Kempton, will always be remembered as one of racing's great horses.

The 12-year-old, trained by Paul Nicholls and owned by Clive Smith, bows out with dignity and pride after a fantastic career.

For me, I have grown up with Kauto Star and when I first started gaining an interest in the sport he was always there in the headlines. I have always admired him so it is a sad sight to see such a wonder put into retirement.

But I think the correct decision has been made. He should be remembered for what he did, not what could have been.

Kauto Star won 16 Grade Ones throughout his career and made history in 2009 for becoming the first horse to reclaim the Gold Cup.

Many believed retirement beckoned when he was pulled up in the Punchestown Guinness Gold Cup last May, but Kauto Star proved the doubters wrong with a fourth triumph on his comeback in the Betfair Chase at Haydock last November, in which he defeated Long Run, the 2011 Gold Cup hero, by eight lengths.

It seemed that Long Run couldn't beat his older rival when losing again to the King after his greatest performance in his career on Boxing Day at Kempton in 2011. Kauto won his fifth King George with ease and cemented his status of one the greatest.

After a fall in schooling and pulling up in this year's Gold Cup, history will remember our star kindly, which he deserves.

As an inspirational and talented horse, Kauto Star follows stablemate Denman as a legend and one that should never be 

forgotten.

 

CHELTENHAM: THE SHOWCASE SUMMARY

Sam Twiston-Davies kicked off Friday with a spectacular win on The New One in the Neptune Novices’ Hurdle. Village Vic tried his hardest to catch up with the evens money favourite but 

unfortunately couldn’t catch up.

The NH season is officially back and what a wonderful sight it was to see horses galloping once again around Cheltenham track.

 Carlito Brigante is one on watch for me. Davy Russell led the horse to a comfortable win but if Go All The Way and Kingsmere hadn’t fallen at the last then perhaps we would have seen a different result. Nevertheless Gordon Elliott’s winner is one to keep your eye on. Perhaps the trainer is looking to enter him in the Festival again, if so make sure you are there to back this fella.

Now, if there was one horse that really put the wow factor into Cheltenham, it is Action Master. At 20/1 Hughes’ horse steamed ahead and caused an upset in the Handicap Hurdle. No doubt this one had the biggest result of the day. If a horse can produce series of gasps around the track

then you know you have done your job as a trainer or jockey. Sam Twiston-Davies again performed well and almost reached the winning post in first position but Bryan Cooper proved too strong on the master of the race. Watch this horse go from strength to strength now.

Ruby Walsh finally got a win on Sire Collonges in the Bruton Knowles 150th Anniversary Novices’ Chase with the 11/8f Sea of Thunder finishing in second. Davy Russell rode the Flat horse well and pushed with all his might to beat Walsh. Despite not winning, Sea of Thunder 

should be carefully watched throughout the season. Definitely one to back again.

However, the next race really did annoy me. Not because it was bad or anything like that, but because I was going to back the winner but put my money on someone else. Court Minstrel pulled off a stylish win in the Lemington Maiden Hurdle and with a SP of 6/1 I could have brought back

a profit! Never mind. Will definitely make sure I place my winning bet on him next time!

Sam Twiston-Davies continued his spectacular form again the following day (Saturday). He won the first race of the day, the Edward Gillespie Hands Over The Reins Novices’ Hurdle, on According To Trev at 6/1 beating 9/4 f Our Vinnie. What a fantastic name for a race – Gillespie will officially step down at The Open in November and it is lovely to see the racecourse praising the work he has done throughout his time at the track.

The Masterson Holding Hurdle looked to be a good race. Baby Mix was back at the track and sure is a favourite here. At 9/4 the horse was heavily backed but again failed to perform to high standards. The horse weakened towards the end of the race and I would like to have seen more push. But I will definitely keep my eye on this one in the future – has the ability to go far.

However the winner of the day was Balthazar King, a horse that loves this track more than anyone. Richard Johnson did immensely well to ride to victory and proved that he shouldn’t be doubted at this course. Hold On Julio was my choice and finished well in third. Galaxy Rock is another that enjoys the track but 2011 winner Balthazar King showed that he shouldn’t be messed with at Cheltenham!

It has been a great weekend for racing: Cheltenham is back with the Festival countdown already starting again and Frankel pulled off an astonishing 14/14 win. Simply the best? Well, I suppose he could be.

But all I can say now is…. Bring on The Open!!

SHOULD THE CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL AGENDA CHANGE?

How would you feel if the Cheltenham Festival changed its format and had the Gold Cup on a Saturday rather than the Friday? It would arguably be a good move as it would bring more race goers to the course. But right now the agenda is great.

Mind you, I have always found it difficult with having the Gold Cup on a Friday. Not because I think it would be better on a weekend, but because I have always been at school or college. And next year will be the first time I can attend! 

I remember the 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup when Denman stormed to victory, beating Kauto Star by a good distance. It so happened that at the time of the race I was in a GCSE history lesson. We were studying about India Independence and our teacher decided to put the film Gandhi on. But learning about that was the least of my worries. I was expecting a call from my Dad at 3.13pm so he could play the race down the phone to me! I kept looking over at the clock waiting for the right time to strike and when it did my hand immediately shot into the air to get my teacher's attention. I asked if I could go to the toilet and with a 'yes' as the response I slipped my phone up my sleeve and made a dash to the door. There was the option of pausing the film when I was gone but I declined, claiming that it wasn't fair on my classmates to do so. 

So there was me standing in the corner of the girl's cloakroom listening to the Gold Cup, ooohhing and aaahhing as well as jumping and shouting when Paul Nicholls' horses battled it out for the title. Goodness knows what people outside must have been thinking... But Denman won and it was a wonderful moment: no doubt my favourite Festival to date. 

However, I really should have caught up with the film and studies as a result. Because when we did a mock GCSE exam on India Independence I was graded an E. It did not go down well when my Mum discovered it was in fact my Dad who allowed me to skip the class and listen to the race!

But anyway, the point I am making is that the Festival already has a great agenda and new boss Ian Renton is correct in saying that a Saturday Gold Cup is currently not a matter to discuss. 

He says he is still in "learning mode" and has given a well deserved tribute to Edward Gillespie who has worked tremendously hard as managing director. 

Renton, who is to succeed Gillespie when he officially steps down next month, will be in charge of a track that attracted over 230,000 people to the Festival last March; a record for the Gloucester course.

Everything is fantastic now than it ever has been before for the track and I for one am incredibly excited to attend The Showcase next week. 

Oh and if you were wondering about my GCSE History grade, I got a B!

CAMELOT COMEBACK?

Frankie Dettori has been given the chance to ride dual Derby winner Camelot in Sunday's Qatar Prix de l'Arc Triomphe and what an occasion that will be for him and for the spectators.

Aidan O'Brien had made a strong hint earlier this week that the colt will ride in the mix but decisions were still to be made about his jockey.

O'Brien's son, Joseph, has been unable to make the weight of 8stone 11lb to ride Ballydoyle's 2000 Guineas winner so Dettori, one of racing's most famous jockeys, will take over the reins.

Joseph will instead ride stablemate St Nicholas Abbey. But can Camelot perform to high expectations on Sunday in another high-profiled race after the disappointment of the St Leger?

Camelot failed to gain the triple crown at Doncaster last month that Nijinsky did so well and his participation in the Arc was left in the air since his defeat. I believe that Camelot raced well on the day but he just got beat. O'Brien knew where he went wrong and I hope he corrects his preparations by Sunday. 

There is no doubt about the fact that Camelot can produce world-class performances and he is capable of winning more prestigious titles. But with so much hype constantly surrounding this horse, O'Brien has to be prepared to act brave. 

Can the colt pull off a classy win this time round? His biggest competition seems to be 2-1 favourite Star Sports, who William Buick will be riding as Nathaniel is out of the race.

Camelot has shown he can be beaten and O'Brien has to be sure that he won't disappoint again. After the Gold Cup, the Arc is arguably the next biggest race in the sport's calendar and the team need to be sure of a confident ride.

Do you fancy Camelot's chances in the Arc? Or do you think his recent St Leger defeat has shaken his racing ability?

AINTREE RACECOURSE AND BHA GO AHEAD WITH CHANGES FOR THE GRAND NATIONAL - BUT AT WHAT COST?

Several recommendations and modifications have already been announced by Aintree racecourse and the BHA ahead of the 2013 Grand National, including a change to the start of the race.

In hope that the mayhem will be reduced or stop all together the start will be moved forward by 90 yards, making the distance of the National event 4 miles 3 1/2 furlongs, having previously been 4m 4f. 

Synchronised, who tragically died after last year’s Grand National, was clearly frantic at the start and many argued that the horse was not fit to run on the day.

Having the start a few yards further down the track is a step in the right direction as taking the horses further away from the grandstand will make them calmer and less troubled by the immense sounds of the crowd, therefore leading to fewer false starts.

Other changes include doubling the distance of the 'no-' zone to 30 yards from the starting tape. Research will also be taken into the design of the fences in an attempt to make its central "core" more forgiving.

Once the race begins next year, the Grand National will not look or be the same again. The reason why a review has been conducted is because of the deaths of Synchronised and According to Pete last year.

Personally, I believe the Grand National should cut the number of entries to 30. Having 40 horses on the course at once running at the speed that they do is the most dangerous aspect of the race. If a horse falls after a fence, unharmed, they are in danger’s way of another horse landing on them and causing a serious and life-threatening injury.

It is too crowded for everyone and I honestly think that that is the main reason to why there have been a number of deaths and injuries over the last few years.

But the number will not be cut and a call by Gavin Grant, the chief executive of the RSPCA for removal of Becher’s Brook has also been resisted.

I can only imagine what will happen from 2014 to the future of the Grand National. But I suppose that it will no longer be in control of the BHA. This year they succumbed to the pressure of having to react to the public and RSPCA’s outcry.

But a horse will die within the next few years of the event. No doubt about it. It is a risk that the trainers, owners and jockeys know about and are willing to take. If they weren’t, they wouldn’t even take part. When another fatal accident happens, everything will blow out of proportion again and the BHA will again feel the need to take action.

Changes to the position of the starter's rostrum and the visibility of the starting tape will also be implemented and a pre-race briefing between the starter and jockeys is also scheduled to take place.

The landing side of fences 4, 5 and 13 will be levelled out, while the wider landing side of Becher's Brook has undergone further levelling to correct the settlement which occurred following works carried out in 2011.

A further £100,000 will be invested in further improving the course's watering abilities, while another catching pen for loose horses will be tried out in the region of fence 4.

I really believe that the changes are an overreaction but I understand why they have happened. We should be thankful that the sport is attracting more people, even if they don’t follow the sport. But the Grand National is famed for its risk and fences, so why change it now? 

RACING PREPARES TO SAY GOODBYE TO FRANKEL: THE HORSE WHO BROUGHT BACK POSITIVE PRESS

Bittersweet news circulated around the UK this weekend about the announcement of Frankel's last ever career run which will take place at Ascot in October.

As many of you know from various articles I have written in the past, I am a fan of Frankel and watching the colt race has encouraged me to learn more about flat racing as well as the broadcasting that goes into it. 

The unbeaten race horse will compete in the 10-furlong Champion Stakes at Ascot on October 20. Despite enthusiastic suggestions from outside Frankel's yard, the thought of racing in the Prix de L'Arc Triomphe at Longchamp was turned down in favour for Ascot.

I think it is great that Sir Henry Cecil has decided that his unbeaten superstar should stay in this country and bypass Longchamp for his final farewell on the track. It gives a sense of British spirit and greatly promotes UK racing.

The increase in ticket sales on the Flat just shows how marvellous this horse truly is. After dreadful press NH horse racing received due to the deaths of Synchronised and According to Pete in the 2012 Grand National, Frankel, with the help of Black Caviar, has promoted the sport to a new high. 

Frankel's thirteenth unbeaten win in the Juddmonte International Stakes at York was a sight to see: once this colt is off our screens at the end of the year the sport won't quite be the same.

It is a shame that Cecil decided not to enter his superstar in the Arc as I reckon that race would have been the incredible for his career. Frankel would have no doubt battled for his life on the track but Ascot is still a wonderful place to display his racing ability. 

Ascot racecourse will no doubt promote Frankel's last show immensely well. With the usual attendance of around 30,000 I would not be surprised to see an even bigger turnout for the Champion Stakes.

Victory from Frankel would set a European record of nine consecutive wins at Group One level and bookmakers will offer no bigger than 1-10 odds for another Frankel first. 

I hope that a statue of the wonder-horse will be created at Ascot to remember the horse who made global headlines and put the spirit back into British racing.