Sandringham To Reach A Nother Summit

Sandringham Summit will be out to brighten his already bright star at the Big T tomorrow (Saturday) when he takes on some classy rivals in the Gr 1 TAB SA Classic (JC Photos)

Sandringham Summit and Gimme A Nother look hard to beat in the Gr 1 TAB SA Classic and Gr 1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic respectively at Turffontein Standside tomorrow and it might just be their stamina capacity that stands between them and respective Triple Crown and Triple Tiara glory.

Meanwhile, Princess Calla is poised to land her sixth career Gr 1 in the wfa Gr 1 HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes over 1600m.

The David Nieuwenhuizen-trained Sandringham is a shoe-in on paper in the SA Classic, but the 1800m trip will be new territory for him. His sire Gimmethegreenlight was ostensibly a miler, who was effective over 2000m, and his dam Townsend by Captain Al won a Gr 2 and a Gr 3 over 1400m and a Listed race over 1600m. The other Gr 1 winner Townsend has produced was the sprinter Eden Roc. However, Townsend has also produced a horse by Dynasty who has won over 2400m. Sandringham did take quite a hold early in the Gr 2 TAB Gauteng Guineas, but can be forgiven for that because he was relatively fresh after a layoff. He looks likely to stay the extra 200m, although it won’t be easy to find a nice energy-conserving position from draw ten. Whether, he can stay the SA Derby distance is another story and it must be remembered that his paternal half-brother, the Gimmethegreenlight stalwart Got The Greenlight, failed to land the Triple Crown when overtaken late in the Derby, although trainer Joe Soma reckoned that might have been more to do with his habit of idling when hitting the front than his stamina capacity.

William Iron Arm will be a threat to Sandringham Summit in the SA Classic. He is by William Longsword out of a Galileo mare and will relish the step up in trip. This long-strider has scope for further improvememt and is drawn well in five. His TAB Gauteng Guineas 3,20 length third was in fact his seasonal reappearance and also his first run for the Tony Peter yard. He is entitled to have come on from the run.

Storm Brasco’s Gauteng Guineas sixth place finish is better than it looks on paper, because he was one of the group at the back who were caught behind Mondial, who apparently couldn’t go the pace. Storm Brasco ran on very well in the straight. He is by Pathfork out of a Fort Wood mare and is drawn well in four. The blinkers have been fitted to help him get focused early because he was ending up too far back in his races. He could be the dark horse and has already been backed in from 25/1 to 14/1 with Hollywoodbets.

Barbaresco will also relish the trip being by Gimmethegreenlight out of Fort Wood mare Negroamaro, who was runner up in both the Gr 1 SA Filllies Classic and Gr 1 Woolavington 2000. He finished close to the top class Main Defender when receiving just 2kg in the Gr 3 Got The Greenlight over 1400m and followed up with an impressive victory over 1600m in a handicap.

Gimmeanotherchance was another one caught in the back group in the Guineas and he also ran on well. He was nearly caught by Storm Brasco and this is 200m further. He is out of a mare by stamina influence Judpot. She won up to 1400m but was runner up in the Gr 2 Fillies Guineas at Greyvillle and finished a 2,35 length sixth in the Gr 1 Paddock Stakes over 1800m to Bela-Bela. Gimmeanotherchance’s Gauteng Guineas run followed two front-running races when narrowly beaten in the Jonsson Workwear Dingaans and then fading out when going too fast in the Got The Greenlight. He has a lot of class, but has had quite a tough season.

KZN raider Navajo Nation also stayed on well from that back group in the Guineas and can’t be ignored.

Pure Predator caught the eye running on in the Gr 3 London News over course and distance and from draw two he could be in the shake up.

Purple Pitcher is proven over the trip and this Jonsson Workwear Dingaans winner should have come on from his Guineas fourth place finish. He produced an amazing late surge in the Dingaans to nail Gimmeanotherchance on the line. If turning up in the same shape he should be in the shake up. He is a half-sister to the speedy Miss Daisy, but also a half-sister to a horse who has won over 2400m, although the latter was by stamina influence Golden Sword. Purple Pitcher’s dam by Count du Bois only won one race over 1200m.

Hotarubi stayed on well from a handy position to finish runner up in the Guineas and his below par run over 1700m earlier might have just been a flat run rather than him not staying. Indeed, he won his maiden over 1700m from the front in comfortable fashion, so should stay 1800m, despite being out of a speedy Var mare who won five times from 1000m to 1400m, including a Listed race over 1200m.

Guy Gibson has some class and although out of a speedy Jet Master mare who won three times from 1200m to 1400m he is by middle distance horse Lancaster Bomber and he has also won over 1700m before. He can’t be ignored under Piere Strydom, although he has a tricky draw of nine.

Mondial should relish the step up in trip, but will need to step up on his Guineas performance.

Gimme A Nother should make it six out of six in the Gr 1 Wilgerbosdrif SA Fillies Classic.

Her sire Gimmethegreenlight was ostensibly a miler who was effective over middle distances, but her mother Nother Russia, who was also a good miler, did win over 1800m and her grandmother Mother Russia won the Gr 1 Paddock Stakes and a Gr 2 over 2000m, among other big race victories. So Gimme A Nother should stay the trip and should mow them down again.

Gr 1 bridesmaid Silver Sanctuary will enjoy the trip being a full sister to Safe Passage.

Bavarian Beauty, Let’s Go Now and Champagne Cocktail could make their presence felt too.

In the Horse Chestnut over 1600m the top class three-year-old Main Defender is at 6/1 with Hollywoodbets having shortened from 10/1. His recent hanging antics are a concern and he is yet to prove he stays this trip, but such is his class he should be in the shake up.

Princess Calla is the one to beat if at her best. She traveled up from Cape Town straight after her win in the Majorca last time out and Sean Tarry said she was in good shape.

Cousin Casey should be cherry ripe and will enjoy the course and distance, but he has a tough draw.

Melech is on the up and should make a bold bid.

Puerto Manzano can never be ignored at this track.

Safe Passage can’t be ignored either, but these days this is a touch sharp for him.

At My Command has proven class and is in good form and is distance suited.

Dave The King ran a cracker in his first run as a gelding and could be right there if it pans out well for him from draw ten under Piere Strydom.

Winchester Mansion has only had one run this season and might need this.

Cosmic Highway is interesting as one who placed in the Gr 1 Cape Guineas as a three-year-old.

MK’s Pride is a former winner of this race and has his first run back with the yard who trained him to that win. He will need to bounce back from some below par recent form though.

Sugar Mountain has some decent Cape Town form and can’t be ignored.

Son Of Raj will find this a bit sharp.

Back In Buiness is well regarded, but this is a big step up in class in his first try at this trip.

Turffontein Standside Formguides And Selections

Almond Sea, who runs in race 3, is one of a number of horses who look difficult to oppose at the Classic meeting at Turffontein Standside tomorrow (JC Photos)

R1 7 CHERRY OH BABY is by Danon Platina out of Triple Tiara winner Cherry On The Top and will relish the step up in trip 1 SPRINGER has shown ability and can be right there 6 CEUTA is by Gimmethegreenlight out of Gr 1 winner Europa Point 2 HAPPY MO did well first time in this trip category and is well drawn (7-1-6-2)

R2 1 PISTOL PETE has looked exceptional and should remain unbeaten 6 RONDEBOSCH is well bred being by Gimmethegreenlight out of Gr 1 winner Redberry Lane (Western Winter) 3 FIRE ATTACK has shsown enough to be able to earn. 2 ADDRESS THE NATION is well held by 1 but can earn (1-6-3-2)

R3 1 ALMOND SEA has put in two exceptional performances and should remain unbeaten 2 JUST RECKLESS should be running on well late 6 SIMPLY MAJESTIC ran a fine second last time and should be involved 7 AFRICAN BEAUTY is by Lancaster Bomber out of a twice-winning Horse Chestnut mare (1-2-6-7)

R4 9 QUICK TRIP needed her last start and on her Cape Town form she has a chance here from a nice high draw 1 SECRET CHORD is a hard knocker who should be right there 8 SO SEDUCTIVE can go close if the low draws are not disadvantageous as yhey sometimes can be 3 SEA SHANTY can be involved if producing his best (9-1-8-3)

R5 4 PERFECT WITNESS has matured into a classy matre and from pole position has a fince chance 5 SILVER HILLS is capable of a stromng finish if it pans out well and it will depend on ehr ability to overcome a wide draw 9 BONETE has class and the best has likely not been seen of her and she is now dropped in trip 7 JULIET TANGO should be ideally distance suited but does have a tough draw (4-5-9-7)

R6 1 GIMME A NOTHER should stay the trip and strikes as being invincible judged on her last couple of starts. 2 SILVER SANCTUARY has played second fiddle to the classy Beach Bomb and to Gimme A Nother and might do so again 4 BAVARIAN BEAUTY is a Gr 1 winner with class and a good turn of foot and scope for improvement and a line can be drawn through her last start which was a rough race. 5 LET’S GO NOW is up against a strong field but should enjoy the trip and can make the frame (1-2-4-5)

R7 1 SANDRINGHAM SUMMIT is an exceptional racehorse but does have a wide draw and still has to prove he stays this trip 3 WILLIAM IRON ARM has class and is looking for this trip and has a fair draw 8 STORM BRASCO has shown hints of class and from a good draw can make his presence felt. 10 BARBARESCO has also proven himself classy and is btred for this trip, so will also be a threat if able to overcome a wide draw. (1-3-8-10)

R8 13 PRINCESS CALLA is ideally distance suited and this Equus Horse Of The Year has fine chance on wfa terms from a good draw. 3 COUSIN CASEY is ideally distance suited and should be cherry ripe but he unfortunately drew wide 14 MAIN DEFENDER is top class and at his best would just about be the choice but his hanging right antic in the last two starts is a bit of a concern. 7 MELECH is coming into his own and in his acid test here ot would be no big surprise if he proved good enough tio win this (13-3-14-7)

R9 1 DYCE is a Gr 1 winning sprinter over this trip and his speed and class should get him home 2 WILLIAM ROBERTSON has a lot of class and is better than his last run 12 IPHIKO has plenty of speed and has a nice high draw over this ideal course and distance 6 RULERSHIP has improved on the Highveld and could be in the shake up (1-2-12-6)

R10 1 JUDGEMENT DAY strikes as one with more to come and he should enjoy this course and distance from a fair draw 15 BLUE QUARTZ is well drawn and should reloish the step up in trip on pedigree. 2 ROSSORE FINALE went close over this trip last time and now has his third run after a rest, but he does have a tough draw. 3 IN A BLUE MOON should have come on from his fair effort last time which followed a layoff

Watch Turffontein Classic Meeting Big Race Video Previews

Puerto Manzano is on his favourite stamping ground tomorrow and will make a bold bid in the Gr 1 HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes (JC Photos)

Michele Wing of Gold Circle has compiled these two great video previews of GR 1 events at the Big T tomorrow (Saturday).

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO PREVIEW OF THE GR 1 TAB SA CLASSIC

CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO PREVIEW OF HF OPPENHEIMER HORSE CHESTNUT STAKES

Warren Kennedy Rides Fancied Vadamos Colt In Prestigious NZ Derby

Warren Kennedy’s mount in the Gr 1 NZ Derby, Mosinvader, is pictured winning his maiden in December 9. He has only had five career starts but that includes a head second in a Gr 2 the first time he was stepped up to 2000m (Wexford Stables Meta)

South Africans will know by the time they wake up tomorrow morning on Saturday March 2 whether their twice former champion jockey Warren Kennedy has won New Zelanad’s most prestigious race, the New Zealand Derby.

Trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott will have two runners in the Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby over 2400m at Ellerslie racecourse in Auckland.

Mosinvader (NZ) (Vadamos) and Monday Melody (Snitzel) will chase Classic honours on Saturday for them and the former will be ridden by Warren Kennedy

O’Sullivan and Scott, who are already enjoying a fine season with 41 winners on the board to sit equal third in the premiership.

While the outstanding filly Orchestral (NZ) (Savabeel) dominates the Derby market, Wexford are confident their colts will do the stable proud.

“Gate four for Mosinvader will help his chances and the other horse should get in somewhere from 11,” O’Sullivan said.

“They are both very well and while it is hard to see the filly getting beaten, the mile and a-half can change the ball game.

“The best thing for us is if they run it at pace, if they crawl around then I think the filly will brain them. If it is run at a decent clip, it gives the chance to take the sprint out of her.

“It does look as if she will be too good and it wouldn’t surprise us if she won by five or six, and if they do canter around she will.”

Vadamos’ son Mosinvader has impressed since stepping up in trip and finished runner-up in the Gr.2 Waikato Guineas (2000m) before he made ground to run fifth in the Gr.2 Avondale Guineas (2100m).

“He’s progressed well with his fitness, education and confidence and certainly gone the right way since the Avondale Guineas,” Scott said.

“He gives every indication in his racing and his work that he will stay well.

“We couldn’t be happier with our two charges, they are healthy and sound and have coped well with the preps. They are going in as good as they can possibly be.”

Mosinvader is out of the High Chaparral mare Devil’s Melody (NZ), whose dam is a half-sister to the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) winner Vapour Trail (NZ) (Jetball) while stablemate Monday Melody also has plenty of stamina in his pedigree.

“He is from a very tough, rugged New Zealand family that gives us confidence he will also stay the strip,” Scott said.

Monday Melody was sixth in the Waikato Guineas and finished midfield in the Avondale Guineas after racing wide throughout with no cover.

“He lacked luck and he stayed on well considering the tough run he had. He actually ran the quickest last 200m so he was very game,” Scott said.

Monday Melody is the first foal of the Frankel mare Flora De Mariposa, a daughter of the Gr.2 Counties Cup (2200m) winner Jeu De Cartes (NZ) (Stravinsky) and the second dam Prized Gem (NZ) (Prized) won the Gr.1 Brisbane Cup (3200m) and the Gr.1 Kelt Capital Stakes (2040m).

The Prized mare also produced the Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m) winner Nom Du Jeu.

“The further he goes the better we think he will be. He’s a Snitzel bred to run 2000m and further and he’s looked like that all the way through,” O’Sullivan said.

O’Sullivan and Scott secured a slot for $700,000 in next year’s inaugural $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) at Tuesday’s auction at Karaka.

“Andrew and I and brother Paul went into it together and we thought from a marketing point of view it gives our owners an opportunity that not every other stable is going to get,” O’Sullivan said.

“That was the price we thought the slots would go for so it’s pretty exciting.”

Nicky Henderson Eyes Kelso/Cheltenham Bonus Double

Under Control starts his bid to land a big bonus cheque at Kelso tomorrow (Saturday) (Edward Whitaker (Racing Post))

Nicky Henderson eyes Kelso on Saturday with potential £100,000 Cheltenham bonus up for grabs

Under Control: starts the season as one of Nicky Henderson’s most exciting prospects and the Morebattle runner has three entries at the Cheltenham Festival

Andrew Dietz (Racing Post)

The JP McManus-owned Under Control and last year’s winner Benson are having a crack at Kelso’s £100,000 bonus as they will line for Saturday’s bet365 Morebattle Hurdle (2.50 (16H50 SA Time)).

The valuable bonus is available to any horse who wins the 2m handicap and follows up with success at next month’s Cheltenham Festival, a feat pulled off by The Shunter in 2021.

Under Control, who was second to the Mares’ Hurdle second favourite Ashroe Diamond at Doncaster last month, is an interesting contender for the Kelso contest, which with a prize fund of £120,000 is more valuable than festival handicaps such as the Coral Cup and County Hurdle.

The Nicky Henderson-trained mare has three entries at Cheltenham and is the sponsor’s 7-2 favourite for the Morebattle.

Benson, a 12-1 shot, won last year for local trainer Sandy Thomson before being pulled up in the Coral Cup and has had this race as one of his main objectives for the season.

The in-form pair Black Hawk Eagle, trained by Kerry Lee, and Bingoo, trained by James Moffatt, are other notable runners.

Henderson also heads to Kelso on Saturday with Jango Baie for the bet365 Premier Novices’ Hurdle (2.17).

The Paul Robson-trained Formby third Cannock Park takes on Jango Baie, who holds entries in the Supreme and Baring Bingham.

Robson said: “It’s a lovely race for him. We’ve been very light on him this season and any issues that were there are now gone, as he seems to take the preliminaries well now.

“We considered the Morebattle Hurdle but he needed to have had four runs over hurdles, which meant he would have been really busy for a young horse.

“If he comes out the race okay, we’ll definitely consider the County Hurdle.”

Leading Grand National contender Monbeg Genius is running at the same meeting in the bet365 Premier Chase (3.25).

Kelso Saturday Formguides And Selections

Gr 1 winner Jango Baie goes for the Gr 2 bet365 Premier Novice’s Hurdle (Picture: Sporting Life)

R1 15H42 SA Time – bet365 Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)
THE KALOOKI KID was not disgraced in a competitive Grade 2 novice hurdle at Doncaster last time and that form suggests that a mark of 124 may underestimate him on his handicap bow. Itso Fury is an obvious threat to the selection following his Wincanton victory on his most recent outing in November, while Rafferty’s Return and Pentland Hills are others who make the shortlist.
Top Tip: THE KALOOKI KID (6)
Watch out for: ITSO FURY (3)

R2 16H17 SA Time – bet365 Premier Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race)
JANGO BAIE won a Grade 1 at Aintree on Boxing Day and was not disgraced when chasing home a talented rival under a penalty at Huntingdon last time. A reproduction of either of those efforts may well be good enough to see him home in front here. That said, the progressive Brucio should not be discounted following her success in a valuable handicap at Leopardstown last month. Others to note are Personal Ambition and Cannock Park.
Top Tip: JANGO BAIE (1)
Watch out for: BRUCIO (12)

R3 16H50 SA Time – bet365 Morebattle Hurdle (Handicap Hurdle) (GBB Race)
UNDER CONTROL bumped into a high-class rival when filling second place in a Grade 2 at Doncaster last time and that performance suggests that a mark of 138 should be workable on her return to handicap company. Last year’s winner Benson has to be of interest once again, despite arriving here off a 5lb higher mark. Rewired edges out The Churchill Lad and Bingoo to be best of the rest.
Top Tip: UNDER CONTROL (2)
Watch out for: BENSON (1)

R4 15H25 SA Time – bet365 Premier Chase (Listed) (GBB Race)
A respectable third in the Coral Gold Cup in December, MONBEG GENIUS looks the one with most upside and can take this en route to a tilt at the Grand National next month. The eight-year-old has dominated in smaller fields before and he should have too much class for admirable veteran Aye Right, who went down on his sword at Warwick last time out. Course specialist Elvis Mail is another to consider, as well as Thunder Rock.
Top Tip: MONBEG GENIUS (6)
Watch out for: AYE RIGHT (3)

R5 18H00 SA Time – bet365 Cyril Alexander Memorial Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race)
Course form can count for plenty around here, which bodes well for SPECIAL RATE, who has won his last two at the track. A winner of four of his five starts over fences, Philip Kirby’s charge can do little wrong at present and gets the vote ahead of Imperial Bede, who did it well himself when scoring easily on his chase debut at Southwell. General Officer should be much more at home going left-handed and is capable of being in the mix as well.
Top Tip: SPECIAL RATE (2)
Watch out for: IMPERIAL BEDE (4)

R6 18H35 PM – bet365 Juvenile Hurdle (GBB Race)
Doncaster scorer Mojo Ego sets the standard in this juvenile hurdle, but he was disappointing at Taunton last time and conceding weight to a couple of interesting Flat recruits won’t be easy. GOVERNOR OF INDIA only had the five starts on the level but did win over 1m2f at Newcastle and is expected to know his job on hurdles debut for the powerful Nicky Henderson yard. The ex-French Djerbanni must also be taken seriously.
Top Tip: GOVERNOR OF INDIA (4)
Watch out for: DJERBANNI (3)

R7 19H10 SA Time – bet365 Handicap Chase
Netywell rounded off his hat-trick in style at Newcastle last week and is respected, likewise Sacre Coeur, who is a model of consistency representing a top stable. Preference, though, is for the course form which ESCAPEANDEVADE brings to the table. He is on a three-timer and could hardly have done it any easier over C&D last time. Brian Hughes keeps the partnership intact and another bold showing looks assured.
Top Tip: ESCAPEANDEVADE (3)
Watch out for: NETYWELL (1)

Dark Winter To Get Us Rolling At Kenilworth On Sunday

Dark Winter (far side) showed pace from the off second time out, but found one better in Symphony In White (Picture: Wayne Marks)

Graeme Hawkins (Gold Circle)

With the curtain having come down on the Cape Summer Season last weekend, Cape Racing stages a “bread-and-butter” 9-race programme at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Sunday. The race meeting gets under way at 12:15 with a Maiden Juvenile Plate (Fillies) over 1200m and the Justin Snaith-trained Dark Winter appears the one they all have to beat.

Dark Winter was runner-up behind Symphony In White over the course and distance a month ago and on the evidence of that form, she has both Dixieland Band and De Vlugge safely held. The big improver could be the Michelle Rix-trained Sorceress Supreme who was fifth behind Little Ballerina on WSB Met Day and a number of runners who finished behind her that day have come out to win their next starts. Tuscan Romance is an interesting newcomer, and any market support must be respected.

The opening leg of the Bipot could see Marshall Field bounce back to winning ways over what appears to be his best course and distance. Luce Verde, Lightning Glow and Majestic Warrior seem the principal threats but with both Bernard Fayd’herbe and Lucinda Woodruff in good form, it may pay to be with Marshall Field.

Race 3, a Maiden Plate (F&M) over 1600m, sees a rematch between Plum Pudding, Devilishlygorgeous and Hampstead Heath who were second, fourth and fifth behind Qhawekazi over 1400m three weeks ago. The extra furlong should not pose a problem for any of these, and Plum Pudding is fancied to confirm the form. Green Isle and Saint Brigid showed some improvement in modest line-ups last time and can get into the fray.

The opening leg of the Pick 6 is a well-filled Open Maiden over 1600m, and the race has a wide-open appearance. Whilst there are many with chances, I am going to side with Four Jacks to finally get off the mark in his ninth attempt. I do so without a great deal of confidence but on past form he has the measure of many of his leading rivals in this Maiden Handicap. Stable companion Go It Alone, Devil A Saint, Dawn Cloud and Apache Chief are all worthy of a mention and Pick 6 punters need to tread cautiously in this race.

The two fillies, Supreme Dream and Time for Love, are both very well handicapped in the fifth race, a Cape B Stakes over 1800m, and I am going to row in with the official ratings and narrow my selection to this pair. There are a number of very competitive colts and geldings in the field – headed by Prevalence, Gentleman Joe and Weather King but at the weights Supreme Dream and Time for Love should have their measure.

Kelp Forest is my fancy to win the sixth race, a Cape C Stakes over 1400m. Aldo Domeyer has been booked to ride the Adam Marcus-trained Flower Alley gelding for the first time since booting Kelp Forest home to his maiden win earlier in his career. His form is solid, and he was desperately unlucky not to win last time when continuously baulked for a clear run. Kebonalesedi and Master of Paris rate the biggest dangers but I am going for Kelp Forest with a fair degree of confidence.

Fly To Rio could offer decent each-way value in the seventh race, a Class 5 Handicap (F&M) over 1400m, but the race is ripe for an upset result. In the eighth race back-in-form The Abdicator could record his fourth career victory. The Irish-bred son of No Nay Never held on to beat the talented Future Variety at the end of January and a repeat of that effort will see him go very close to winning. King Of The Gauls reverts to the minimum trip after failing to see out the1600m in the Gold Rush and he can be expected to give plenty of cheek.

The race meeting closes out with a very challenging Cape C Stakes over 1000m. The only absolute safe way of surviving this leg of the Pick 6 is to include the field (10 runners) but in daring to make a selection, I am going to side with Swift Action who is very game and consistent, although both his wins to date have been recorded over 1200m.

Fourie/Greeff Treble, Yeni/Smith Double

The Alan Greeff-trained star Fire Away filly Luna Halo got her head down at the right time under Richard Fourie to win the Listed Breeders Guineas for three-year-old fillies at Fairview today. It was her seventh career win and fourth Listed win (picture via youtube)

Richard Fourie rode a treble for Alan Greeff on the Fairview turf today and Muzi Yeni rode a double for Gavin Smith.

Fourie is now on 195 wins for the season achieved at a strike rate of 21.57%.

Yeni is on 122 wins at 13.36%.

Smith is on 82 wins at 12.26%.

Greeff is on 73 wins at 14.63%.

Today’s Question

The picture gives a clue to the answer.

Which races constitute the UK’s Triple Crown of Hurdling and which horses have done it?

Weekend FIELDS

Turffontein Standside Fields, Saturday

Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, Sunday

Today’s Question Answer

The Triple Crown of Hurdling has been running since 1979. The three races that are included are that of the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle, Christmas Hurdle at Kempton Park and the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham. Each of the races is very similar, which is why they are linked in the Triple Crown and therefore attract very similar fields as a result.

There have only been three winners of the Triple Crown of Hurdling since its inauguration in 1979.

The first was that of Kribensis, a grey Irish horse that was trained by Sir Michael Stoute.

The next to do it was the Nicky Henderson-trained Buveur d’Air, who managed the feat in 2017/18.

Buveur d’Air is an incredible horse and won the Champion Hurdle the year before winning it again to claim the Triple Crown. He then won the Fighting Fifth the following season, meaning that he won 5 Hurdles Triple Crown races in a row. His bid for a second Triple crown ended when he was beaten into second in the Christmas Hurdle by a shorthead, ironicall by stablemate Verdana Blue.

The third to do it was the Henderson-trained Constitution Hill (pictured – Skysports), who achieved the feat in dominant fashion last season, winning the trio of races by 12 lengths, 17 lengths and nine lengths respectively. His attempt at a Triple Crown double was thwarted when the Fighting Fifth was abandoned this season due to frozen ground. He did win the Christmas Hurdle again, by 9,5 lengths. However, a cloud hangs over his Champion Hurdle defence because he scoped with mucous after a poor workout earlier this week.

The Henderson-trained 2020 Champion Hurdle winner Epatante won both the Fighting Fifth and tyhe Christmas Hurdle twice, but he never won all three races in the same season.